Lasting & Powerful: Experience the Relief

Is Acupuncture Painful?

Acupuncture needles are sterile, disposable, and hair-thin. Because they’re so small, most people don’t feel them at all. But some patients are more sensitive than others. Patient comfort is one of my top priorities. In the rare case you can feel the needles, I will adapt my protocols for a pain-free experience.

How Many and What Kinds of Needles Do You Use?

I only use sterile, disposable acupuncture needles called filiform needles (meaning threadlike). They’re approximately the thickness of a hair and are so thin they seldom cause any bleeding when they’re inserted or removed. Most treatment sessions use anywhere from 5 to 20 needles.

How Long Does a Treatment Session Take?

Your first visit will take about 1 hour and 15 minutes. This gives us a chance to talk about your medical history and goals for health. After that, treatments take less than an hour.

How Many Treatments Will It Take?

For acute conditions such as a back spasm or labor induction, one or two treatments can be enough. But for more chronic ailments, most patients see results with 4 to 6 sessions. As patients begin to feel better, treatments are spaced out until no further therapy is needed. In some cases, occasional “booster” visits are helpful for maintaining optimal health.

What Can I Expect After Treatment?

Some patients report feeling energetic and a distinct sense of well-being immediately after an acupuncture session. But about 1 in 4 patients have an increase in symptoms, feel tired, and need a little extra sleep after the first or second treatment. These effects are temporary and go away as treatment continues.

How Much Do You Charge?

Initial appointments are $185, then $125 per visit after that. A discount is offered for booking a series of treatments: 4 visits for $415, which includes the first visit. Cash, check, credit card, and Venmo are all accepted.

Do You Accept Insurance?

While I understand finances can be a barrier to healthcare, I do not accept insurance. Unfortunately, most insurance companies reimburse so little that doctors are forced to squeeze in as many patients as possible into an hour. My practice is different. I offer high-quality, one-on-one, individualized care free from those limitations. And here’s more good news: many health plans will reimburse all or part of your visit. My billing manager will even file the claim for you.

Why Did You Go Into Acupuncture?

After working for almost a decade as an anesthesiologist, I developed a significant allergy to latex (the major component of surgical gloves) and had to quit my practice. It was a game changer. But then I tried acupuncture and was amazed at my results. I had to learn more and became so excited by the possibilities that I made the switch to acupuncture.