Alexis Goldstein — C.SMA of the Month (Nov. 2018)

Alexis Goldstein, L.Ac., C.SMA

Alexis Goldstein is a Portland sports acupuncturist — certified in Sports Medicine Acupuncture^® — who has had the honor of treating many Olympic and elite track and field athletes and, for the past two years, has worked alongside the medical and training staff of the NBA team, the Portland Trail Blazers. They finished the 2016-2017 season as the 5th least-injured team in the NBA, and achieved ‘return to play’ ahead of schedule for many common musculoskeletal.

Alexis shared with us how completing the SMAC program has enhanced her practice and opened up new opportunities.

“The skills and techniques I have learned from Matt and in the SMAC program have absolutely played a role in my confidence and ability to treat high level athletes, which has translated into ongoing opportunities for me.   

My SMA certification has allowed me to have the exact type of practice I have always wanted and to attract the type and quality of patient I am looking for. When you want to work with elite athletes, not only do you have to earn their trust, but also that of their medical staff and coaches—so you have to be competent in anatomy, orthopedic testing, and your ability to assess and treat efficiently—the SMAC program is a huge step in that direction. 

While I’ve had countless treatment successes from all I have learned in SMAC, one in particular comes to mind: I had a patient complaining of numbness of his anterior leg—something he had been experiencing for over 5 years and to which he was somewhat resigned. I assessed him and treated what I determined to be lateral femoral cutaneous nerve entrapment. After only 2 visits his numbness had resolved 100%! Being able to dramatically change this discomfort he thought he’d never be rid of is why I love this work.”

To connect with Alexis, visit her listing in the C.SMA Practitioner Directory: Alexis Goldstein L.Ac., C.SMA