Frequently Asked Questions

The first visit begins with a consultation where a complete health history is taken. I’ll ask diagnostic questions to formulate a treatment plan. During the treatment, I’ll insert thin, sterile needles into the relevant areas, after which you’ll rest comfortably for 20-30 minutes. Most people use this time to relax and some even fall asleep. If appropriate, I may use modalities such as cupping, gua sha, moxibustion and gentle bodywork.
Afterward, we will discuss the length and frequency of treatment recommended to help you reach your treatment goals. I may offer dietary and exercise recommendations to further assist. After your treatment, you should feel relaxed and revitalized. This initial treatment lasts about 1.5 hours. Subsequent treatments last about one hour.

The number of treatments depends upon the nature, severity, and duration of your condition. For acute conditions, you may only need one or two treatments. For more chronic issues, a series of six to ten treatments may be required. If you have a condition that has been getting progressively worse over the years, you may need to continue treatments over a period of months. For very painful conditions, several treatments per week may significantly reduce the overall time needed to resolve the condition.
Treatment plans are available to make your care more affordable.
Even for people who are healthy, acupuncture can be a great way to maintain health and prevent problems, by strengthening the immune system and addressing potential health concerns at the beginning stages. Just as you take your car in for a “tune-up,” you do the same for your body.

Everyone experiences acupuncture differently. Some people feel only mild sensations during a treatment. Others may experience a stronger sensation. At the needle site or in another part of the body, you may experience a tingling, heaviness, warmth, dull ache, or pulsing feeling. This is normal and relates to the energy moving through the body. These sensations usually dissipate quickly.
You are in charge of your treatments, and you should feel free to let me know if you are ever uncomfortable in any way, as the strength of the sensation can be adjusted to a level that’s right for you.

The highest quality stainless steel disposable needles are used. The needles come in individually wrapped sterilized packets and are discarded after a single use. No needle is reused.

Acupuncture works with energy, so eating a snack or light meal before treatment will ensure your body has sufficient energy to work with. If possible, wear loose clothing so that your arms and legs are accessible for treatment. We also have sheets and towels available. After treatment we recommend you drink a glass of water to help stabilize the body and advise patients to avoid any strenuous workout immediately following the treatment. This will allow your body time to fully integrate the benefits of the treatment.

I am an in-network provider with Optum, Cigna and United Healthcare (including Veba, ACN and UMR), for those with plans that cover acupuncture. Out-of-network billing is available for other major health plans offering acupuncture coverage. If you’re not sure what benefits your plan offers, call and I’ll find out for you. We also accept Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flex cards.

Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture is suitable for those concerned with the appearance and aging of the face and neck. It addresses deep wrinkles, fine lines, bags under the eyes, drooping eyelids, sagging, puffiness, double chin, large pores, dry skin or acne. Different methods are emphasized, and specific points stimulated according to your needs. The whole person is treated and evaluated on the body-mind continuum–the foundation of holistic medicine.

Each person responds differently. Generally, a course of treatment consists of 12 sessions, and it usually takes about seven sessions before the effects become most noticeable, and for the effects to last.
Following the initial course, maintenance sessions can prolong the results for five to ten years. Facial self-massage and/or acupressure, facial exercises, herbal and nutritional supplements, pure and authentic aromatherapy blends, serums and a healthy diet are all great supplements to a Facial Rejuvenation program.

Gua Sha is a technique which uses a smooth-edged tool to gently scrape areas of your body where there is inflammation or stagnant qi (energy). This helps to improve circulation and promote healing. It is really a tool-assisted type of massage. A gentle jade tool can be used on the face and neck during facial rejuvenation to increase microcirculation and improve collagen production. A stronger disposable tool can be used on larger parts of the body, such as the back to increase circulation in muscles that are tense and tight.

Cupping is a therapy where oxygen is removed from glass cups which are then placed on different locations of the body to create a vacuum effect. This effect helps bring circulation to the area.

During your initial visit, information will be collected to assess your condition. An in-depth history is taken, and relevant medical information collected to form a holistic picture of you, as well as your condition. With this information, a custom formula is developed for you.
Based on several factors, we decide the best form of herbal treatment (capsules, a custom granule formula to be dissolved in hot water or dried herbs to be cooked and taken as a broth). Dietary and lifestyle recommendations may also be given following the consultation.
Subsequent check-ins will be scheduled to monitor your condition and evaluate the progress made while taking the custom formula. If you live at a distance or have another reason why in-person consultations prove difficult, virtual consultations can be scheduled and herbal formulas can be shipped directly to you.

I purchase herbs from distributors with impeccable reputations for quality control. This assures that you will receive exactly the herbs you are prescribed and that they will be free from contaminants.

If you have additional questions, please contact us. We are happy to help.