What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture involves the insertion and manipulation of needles in the body to help restore the free movement of qi (vital energy). When our qi is able to move smoothly, it animates our interconnecting parts, encourages natural processes to flow, and brings forth the vibrancy and spirit that we recognize as expressions of good health.

What can acupuncture help with? 

Almost anything. I've seen great results when helping people with regulating their nervous systems, addressing chronic muscle tension, assisting with injury or surgery recovery, supporting metabolism and digestion, and investigating and resolving many symptoms associated with mental, emotional, and physical stress. Acupuncture is also a beautiful tool for self-discovery, as receiving acupuncture promotes a layered awareness of one’s body, mind, and spirit.

How many treatments will I need?

At the beginning, I often recommend 3-5 weekly sessions, so that subtle changes have time to accumulate, and I can also learn what approaches work well for you. This foundation will also help us clarify what health goals to prioritize and what frequency of treatment will best support that.

Sometimes, one to three treatments can set you on a path to quickly resolving an acute condition. Conditions that are long-standing or chronic will require a longer period of regular treatments. As positive changes are made and beneficial new habits formed, treatments can be spaced out, timed for preventative care, or scheduled when one is preparing for or recovering from natural stressors such as big life events and seasonal transitions.

What does acupuncture feel like?

Aside from the initial pinch of the needle, there are a variety of sensations that one might feel when receiving acupuncture. These feelings have been described as heavy, radiating, moving, tingling, warming, cooling, and relaxing. Typically, these sensations are brief and subtle, and in some instances, they will be more obvious, as with the intentional triggering of a muscle contraction (known as “trigger points”) to promote the release of muscle tension.

What is Chinese herbal medicine?

Chinese herbal medicine uses combinations of herbs (typically roots, barks, leafy plant matter, fruits, and seeds) to create herbal formulas. While individual herbs can be effective on their own, herbal formulas are designed to generate the necessary antidote to an imbalance while proactively avoiding the creation of a new imbalance in the process.

I often prescribe herbal medicine in the form of capsules containing the powdered herbs or as granules — herbal medicine processed with a dry substrate that can be rehydrated as needed. Chinese herbal medicine works cumulatively. In many cases, herbal formulas are taken for a couple weeks to a month before reassessment.

Do you accept insurance?

No, but some insurance plans will reimburse partial or full costs of acupuncture services. If your insurance plan covers out-of-network acupuncture treatments, I can provide a superbill that you can use to file a claim for reimbursement. Acupuncture also qualifies as an eligible medical expense for flexible spending accounts (FSA).

What forms of payment do you accept?

I accept payment by cash, Zelle, and credit card.

Can I give a session as a gift?

Yes, you can purchase gift cards here. They will be sent electronically to the recipient, and they have no expiration date.