Adriana Rivadeneira, L.Ac

Adriana Rivadeneira is trained in Classical Chinese Medicine, which includes Acupuncture, Cupping, Moxibustion and Herbalism. She naturally provides trauma informed care with building trust, feeling safe and working together with fluid communication. With these modalities and her curious, caring and intuitive nature, she will support and nurture you as you transform into your healthier self.

The treatments that you will receive from Adriana, are custom tailored to your needs, based on diagnostic information acquired during the visit, as we are all beautifully unique.

Intrinsic to Adriana’s character is her high regard for nature and life, no matter what form.  With the honor and respect that Adriana holds for Life and this Medicine, she will hold the same honor and respect for you and time spent together.

We tend to gravitate towards what feels good. Forgetting that anything in excess can lead to disharmony within one’s Body, Mind, and/or Spirit.  Adriana invites you to find peace within your circumstances, all the while moving towards your Health.  To find an alliance with yourSelf and to simply feel Good!

At the age of 3, Adriana’s family moved from Peru, where her roots and lineage reside, to Vancouver, BC, where she spent her youth. Even though she was raised in Canada, she is fluent in Spanish due to the fact that Peruvian culture was kept at home, and the many visits to Central and Southern American Countries.  She comes from a family line of engineers, artists, doctors, spiritualists, and visionaries. As a good example, her Great Grandfather, a medical doctor, and researcher of medicinal plants in the Amazon, opened the first Public Hospital in Peru. He did this during his time as the Minister of Health and Minister of Justice and Human Rights.

Rooted in the natural world, wanting to be of service and a lifelong student, Adriana focused her undergraduate studies to attend the National College of Natural Medicine (currently NUNM) as a Naturopathic student.

It wasn’t until Adriana was accepted into the Naturopathic program in 2005 at NCNM, that she was exposed to Chinese medicine. She took an elective course titled “Foundations in Classical Chinese Medicine”, taught by Heiner Fruehauf PhD, LAc, that created such a resonance within her that was undeniable.  A life changing decision was made. She knew she wanted to learn, live and provide this modality of medicine to those that can benefit from it. As well as to be of service to the world, as well as to herSelf.

Adriana Rivadeneira MAc, LAc is now a graduate from the Classical Chinese Medicine School at the National University of Natural Medicine, class of 2011.

A decade after graduating from NUNM, Adriana returns to Portland, OR and soon after begins to study with a familiar mentor and instructor, David Berkshire DSOM, LAc, President of The Worsley Institute of Classical Five-Element Acupuncture®.

Having previously studied with David Berkhire during her time at NUNM, it was fitting to continue her LAc practice with revisiting and delving into a deeper understanding of this medicine. Adriana has now completed her residency with David Berkshire LAc, as of November 2023.

 

A little bit of background on Classical Chinese medicine, including Worsley Classical 5-Element Acupuncture. This approach of medicine looks at the whole, rather than the parts. The root cause is addressed, rather than simply alleviating the symptom. Classical Chinese medicine has been used for over 2000 years. Adriana has studied text that dates back to that era. Tried and true, elegant, minimalist, and comprehensive medicine that is based on nature, physics and is heart centered. What more could one ask for?

Worsley Classical 5-Element Acupuncture uses the natural flow of Nature to re-establish balance and harmony. The Five Elements correspond to the five seasons in the manner that Wood is associated with Spring, Fire with Summer, Earth with Late Summer, Metal with Fall and Water with Winter. The Seasons are a macroscopic movement that arises in a microscopic manner within Humans. This modality of acupuncture looks at the place in this cycle that is disrupting the homeostatic state of well-being.  By treating this, the whole system is being strengthened and brought to balance.

Sometimes, the shifts can be subtle, yet powerful. This subtlety allows space for your body and mind to rehabituate to the new ways of moving through the world. With yours and Adriana’s joint effort, sustainable balance and harmony can be found.

Extended education:

• Worley Classical 5- Element Acupuncture training with David Berkshire DSOM, LAc and Eric Hartman MAc, LAc
• Neijing Classical Acupuncture with Dr. Edward Neal MD, MSOM
• Jing Gui Yao Lue Classical Formula Training with Arnaud Versluys PhD,MD, LAc
• Shen Hammer Pulse Diagnosis with Brandt Stickley LAc
• A Certified Diplomate in Canonical Chinese Medicine, with ICEAM

Internship:

• Memorial Hermann Cancer Institute as an Assistant to the Pharmacist in a Chemotherapy Clinic, Houston TX

Volunteer work:

• Feeding those in need at various organized events throughout the years
• A summer at the VA Hospital/OHSU, with Dr. Garzotto, who was researching Prostate cancer.
• A 2003-2005 Ferret shelter
• A 2006 – 2008 Chinese Medicine Clinic at Outside In, a health care and social services organization, focused on youth experiencing homelessness and marginalized people.
•  in the Portland area.
• 2015-2016 gardener at an Orchid nursery/greenhouse in Viscaya Museum and Gardens, Miami FL

Modalities:

Classical Chinese Medicine

Classical Acupuncture

Five Element Acupuncture

Classical Chinese Herbalism

Cupping

Moxabustion

Bodywork