https://www.blackpearlacupuncture.com/blog daily 0.75 2025-10-12 https://www.blackpearlacupuncture.com/blog/post-title monthly 0.5 2021-04-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/1618273757585-0PKNPHQM89620Q3JCDVA/igor-miske-CwVE4xCAA8Y-unsplash.jpg Blog - Boost your Immune system with CONG BAI TEA https://www.blackpearlacupuncture.com/blog/5-tips-to-help-achieve-your-2017-health-goals monthly 0.5 2025-10-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/1617059165364-9THGRVNE9VWHT2BHBQAQ/Woman+yoga+pose+-+960x1439.jpeg Blog - 5 Tips to Help Achieve Your Health & Wellness Goals! https://www.blackpearlacupuncture.com/blog/2019/3/11/zrmanja-falls-croatia-f3exm-963k8 monthly 0.5 2021-03-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/1617058788457-1EMMSZ84CN7X6HXLI39N/_NEF9897+2.jpg Blog - Using Acupuncture to Heal The Effects of Racism…. https://www.blackpearlacupuncture.com/testimonials daily 0.75 2021-04-13 https://www.blackpearlacupuncture.com/testimonials/-andy-b monthly 0.5 2021-04-13 https://www.blackpearlacupuncture.com/testimonials/-anne-phillip monthly 0.5 2021-04-13 https://www.blackpearlacupuncture.com/testimonials/blog-post-title-four-arg2p monthly 0.5 2021-04-13 https://www.blackpearlacupuncture.com/testimonials/blog-post-title-one-e5tpg monthly 0.5 2021-04-12 https://www.blackpearlacupuncture.com/testimonials/blog-post-title-two-g9f4z monthly 0.5 2021-04-13 https://www.blackpearlacupuncture.com/testimonials/blog-post-title-three-p5brd monthly 0.5 2021-04-13 https://www.blackpearlacupuncture.com/testimonials/category/%E2%80%93+Andy+B monthly 0.5 https://www.blackpearlacupuncture.com/testimonials/category/%7E+S.+Gilliam%2C+Age+33 monthly 0.5 https://www.blackpearlacupuncture.com/testimonials/category/%E2%80%93+Becca+A.+%E2%80%93+24+years+old monthly 0.5 https://www.blackpearlacupuncture.com/testimonials/category/%E2%80%93+S.+Gilliam%2C+Age+33 monthly 0.5 https://www.blackpearlacupuncture.com/testimonials/category/E.+M.+%7E+39+years+old monthly 0.5 https://www.blackpearlacupuncture.com/testimonials/category/%E2%80%93+Anne+Phillip monthly 0.5 https://www.blackpearlacupuncture.com/testimonials/category/%E2%80%93+S.B.+65+years+old monthly 0.5 https://www.blackpearlacupuncture.com/home daily 1.0 2026-01-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/1612824131322-1YVYFK17H9XMVASKKJWH/sun%402x.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/1615253254559-ZHX6QQDS3TF3TKR6KXYM/_NEF9897.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/1612824900352-TN2054Q81ZBEOSC7OOY8/87.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/30aac666-1be3-4e54-84a9-62f488812fa5/caption3.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/489faa0f-01db-4289-a7af-21d7f82ef208/round1.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/473e56a2-b7d2-4ecb-8370-74bf499f369b/bpw-massage-therapy.png Home https://www.blackpearlacupuncture.com/about-1 daily 0.75 2026-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/ffe5556e-8275-4d0a-9941-1f4eb8e53172/IMG_2587.jpg Meet Practitioners https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/40cc88dd-0ab7-4490-a2ae-8fe49feab515/KRP+-+Black+Pearl-6.jpg Meet Practitioners - Meet Sita Sita Symonette, is the owner of Black Pearl Acupuncture and has been a practicing Acupuncturist and small business owner since December of 2009. She and her wife Lai-Lani Ovalles co-founded Black Pearl Wellness clinic, in July of 2020. Black Pearl Acupuncture is located inside of Black Pearl Wellness. Sita is a graduate of Western Washington University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Psychology with a focus in pre-med. While doing her undergraduate work, she also participated in research studies focusing on neuroscience. Her work in this area was funded by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health. After completing her Bachelors’ degree, Sita then attended the Oregon College of East Asian Medicine (OCOM) to earn her Masters’ degree in Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine. (Please note that Sita has changed the name of her graduate school on her website to be in solidarity with those from the Asian-Pacific Islander community asking OCOM to change their name to erase the racial slur, the “O” word). Sita is excited to work daily with the goal of enhancing her patients’ quality of life. Sita has created a healing environment where her patients feel welcome, heard, and receive high-quality health care. Sita proudly identifies as Black and Queer and it is her passion to continue to make Acupuncture and East Asian medicine more accessible to Black, Brown, Asian-Pacific Islander, Indigenous, Latine people, the LGBTQIA community and marginalized communities. Sita is an active member of her community and dedicates time to giving back by advocating for healthcare equity. She is the first student to serve on the OCOM board. She also served on the Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette (PPCW) board for 7 years from 2012– 2019. Sita is the first Black woman and the first LGBTQIA person to serve as board chair in PPCW’s 54 year history. Sita then went on to serve as a board member for national Planned Parenthood Federation of America from June 2021 - 2024. Currently Sita serves on the Inatai Foundation board, giving back to her Washington state community. In 2020 Sita and her wife Lai-Lani fulfilled a life long dream of opening their own wellness clinic, Black Pearl Wellness. The clinic's purpose is to be a culturally responsive wellness center that focuses on making Acupuncture/East Asian Medicine, Herbal Medicine, Naturopathic Medicine and Holistic welleness more accessible to Black, Indigenous, Latine, Asian and Pacific Islander, LGBTQIA, and historically excluded communities. Sita and her acupuncture practice have been featured in the Observer, the Skanner and as part of the Mercatus Story Collective. Click here to read news Sita has been a part of and to see how she is engaged in her community. Sita is passionate about helping others live their lives to their fullest potential and serving her community. She meets you where you are at to help you with your health goals. Her practice treats many ailments and has a focus on menstrual health, fertility, menopause, headaches/migraines, acute and chronic pain and injury rehabilitation. To learn more about what acupuncture can treat click here. Photo By KRP Photography https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/060e994c-77ae-41ff-83b1-11c74c5c7ade/54789968096_ac94eca779_k.jpg Meet Practitioners - Meet Essie Experience deep relaxation along with deep healing with the expertise that Essie Day Olou brings to her manual therapy practice. Graduating in 2010 from East West College of the Healing Arts, Essie has found a life long passion in manual therapy. Throughout the years, she has focused her education in manual lymphatic drainage, Cranio-sacral therapy, neuromuscular therapy and various eastern modalities. Essie’s therapeutic flow is custom to each patient and with a nervous system supporting lens. Rhythmic, deep and restorative; Essie’s treatments are best experienced in a series to support chronic pain, sleep issues, and nervous system regulation. When Essie is out of the clinic, she is tending land on Wapato Island farm (Multnomah territories) learning folk medicine and ancestral ways of being with land and in community. Essie is grateful to be in the integrative medicine community, where life long learning is standard and informed care is essential. Essie is currently in network with the following insurance company: Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare & MVA (motor vehicle accident) Insurance Companies Essie also is accepting Out Of Pocket payments and can accept HSA or FSA benefit cards. (please check back to see when Essie becomes in network with more insurance companies) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/7c5f95e3-89d5-43a2-a6aa-faae404e1f21/251214_BlackPearlWellness_0475.jpg Meet Practitioners - Meet Dr. Kiara Dr. Kiara Cordes earned her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, Master’s in Acupuncture with a specialization in Chinese Herbal Medicine, and certification in Natural Childbirth and Midwifery from the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) in 2025. She has dreamed of becoming a doctor since childhood. Her early interests in neurosurgery and herbal support for neurological conditions were shaped by witnessing a close family member undergo cancer treatment. While completing her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences at Arizona State University in 2018, Dr. Kiara was introduced to acupuncture and Chinese medicine—a turning point that ultimately led her to pursue natural medicine and continue her training at NUNM. At NUNM, she deepened her passion for Chinese medicine and discovered a profound calling in reproductive health and midwifery. Through an integrative approach to care, Dr. Kiara is especially passionate about reproductive health and fertility and is deeply committed to education and reproductive justice for marginalized and economically disadvantaged communities. She believes every patient has a story beyond their diagnosis and prioritizes addressing root causes rather than symptoms alone. In addition to reproductive care, Dr. Kiara enjoys supporting patients with chronic pain, hormonal imbalances, gastrointestinal concerns, and mental health conditions, and she is a strong advocate for Health at Every Size. Dr. Kiara is currently teaching Anatomy and Physiology at Central Oregon Community College, one of her alma maters, and finds great fulfillment in mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals. Outside of the clinic, she enjoys exploring Portland’s food scene, reading a good book with her cat, and spending time with family, friends, and her community. Kiara is currently in network with the following insurance company: Kaiser, Heraya Health & PIP/MVA (motor vehicle accident) Insurance Companies Kiara also is accepting Out Of Pocket payments and can accept HSA or FSA benefit cards. (please check back to see when Dr. Kiara becomes in network with more insurance companies) https://www.blackpearlacupuncture.com/contact-us daily 0.75 2026-01-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/fb9f8157-3618-4042-a85e-36e78690ddc7/IMG_2594.jpg Contact us https://www.blackpearlacupuncture.com/acupuncture-herbs daily 0.75 2023-07-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/1615248925513-5Q3RVSJQG1D2F9K3SNX1/Asset+7%403x.png Acupuncture & Herbs https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/1615249014513-99ESYQB785D7ZFE7E0GJ/black_pearl_sm-41.JPG Acupuncture & Herbs https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/1617063453672-A7KRT79X9XI7QD4XCE1R/_NEF9883+copy.jpg Acupuncture & Herbs https://www.blackpearlacupuncture.com/cupping daily 0.75 2021-04-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/1618273316455-Q0Q5L8XS3Q1LK4C3DWFV/cupping.jpg Cupping https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/1618271421085-U39KVXGF8DB4FY3IZT4K/cupping-1.jpg Cupping https://www.blackpearlacupuncture.com/menstrual-health daily 0.75 2023-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/1615241350211-U8F3ZZ0PAM3JXZH3G288/Asset+1%403x.png Fertility and Menstrual Health https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/1618426344871-NGKQS7QEM4BJ1JCW14HV/shutterstock_1822780754.jpg Fertility and Menstrual Health https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/1617059423206-Z3U89CFA1PIRRCHVTI52/babyfeet+2.jpg Fertility and Menstrual Health https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/1615246252066-OSUVCL2L71RG6QW82OJE/Asset+2%403x.png Fertility and Menstrual Health https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/1618268138476-C16TDPNBFZSQXCBJV11H/Asset-4%403x.jpg Fertility and Menstrual Health https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/1618269312448-CIM6WJCHNSSYUAYECCDS/sickness.jpg Fertility and Menstrual Health https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/1615246402459-HZGX7RKJKQNDNW87RH4T/Asset+3%403x.png Fertility and Menstrual Health https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/1615247451537-A3TNZI8KE9FXSEWTJ8W0/pexels-zen-chung-5529013.jpg Fertility and Menstrual Health https://www.blackpearlacupuncture.com/privacy-policy daily 0.75 2021-03-29 https://www.blackpearlacupuncture.com/press-media daily 0.75 2021-07-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/1618256368368-3HYNJI5BXHAXDNN12TAR/Black-Pearl-story-photo-3.jpeg PRESS & MEDIA - Mercatus PDX – Black Pearl Acupuncture “I feel humbled that people of color seek me out. I try to run a very culturally responsive practice.” – SITA SYMONETTE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/1617060925601-SIWQSHSYQY5M6UD2NWOQ/Sita-Planned-Parenthood-Full.jpeg PRESS & MEDIA - Sita Symonette is New Chair of Regional Planned Parenthood The board of directors for Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette (PPCW) recently elected small-business owner Sita Symonette as its new chair. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/1618256535431-TFFGRTKAHFVC249F68YR/Symonette08_w_t580.jpeg PRESS & MEDIA - Driving Healthcare Equity Sita Symonette has helped make waves in equity and inclusion during her five-year tenure on the board of Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette. Now she’s the first African American woman to chair the board in its 54-year history. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/1618256816100-W09DDHPY8NYJQSAQF85E/200807_BI_SITA_12353.jpeg PRESS & MEDIA - Brilliant Cuts Let the healing begin. That's the feeling that washes over you the moment you enter airy, light-drenched Black Pearl Wellness in NW Portland. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/1618257349950-MY9J9PGGURHSBG7EVCAX/heydoc-sita.jpg PRESS & MEDIA - Hey Doc Dr. Montserrat Andreys talks with Dr. Sita Symonette LAc, a Black/Bahamian, Bisexual Cis Acupuncturist based in Portland, Oregon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/1618257475714-HQ1AMEPZTAZFWUXYW2KL/mercatus.jpg PRESS & MEDIA - Mercatus launches: An online platform to highlight local small business owners of color https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/1618257750481-A4NJMA3B6RCFZ264Q76N/Untitled-1.jpg PRESS & MEDIA - Live to Walk Again Friend of the podcast Sita Symonette owner of Black Pearl Acupuncture in Portland, Or. spoke about the history of acupuncture, Chinese medicine, and how acupuncture could help with paralysis and neurological issues. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/1618258382967-TIPAQAIEJNW6AZJB6OQM/imagine-black.jpg PRESS & MEDIA - Imagine Black Cohort I Alum Sita Symonette as the First African American to Chair Planned Parenthood Chapter! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6019ccf4183b86479d4e9aeb/1618257876234-3OY82WSXZIR4ZB3SP5XE/nwhealth.jpg PRESS & MEDIA - Sita Symonette: Your Voice Matters. Speak Out. https://www.blackpearlacupuncture.com/get-started daily 0.75 2025-05-08 https://www.blackpearlacupuncture.com/get-started/p/relationship-with-youothers-zm5ny monthly 0.5 2024-04-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ced8e1d5fd4c700018dd761/1560190004400-XTA0DF0S9WOZJUG994C8/Stocksy_txp824ffa5crXt000_Original_845035.jpg Get Started - Relationship with You+Others https://www.blackpearlacupuncture.com/get-started/p/relationship-with-others-4emmn monthly 0.5 2024-04-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ced8e1d5fd4c700018dd761/1560189982811-KFAJF1TCUH1SXZ827UMC/Stocksy_txp824ffa5crXt000_Large_844923.jpg Get Started - Relationship with Others https://www.blackpearlacupuncture.com/get-started/p/relationship-with-you-59mj9 monthly 0.5 2024-04-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ced8e1d5fd4c700018dd761/1560189874730-3B0TSLDUHTQ93497V3L8/Stocksy_txp824ffa5crXt000_Large_844934A.jpg Get Started - Relationship with You