We do accept walk-in appointments, but our daily schedule is often completely booked, and so we highly recommend scheduling your appointment online or by phone in advance.

Although we accept all major insurance providers, it still depends on your insurance plan. Different plans from the same insurance company may have different coverage. 

It usually takes 24-48 hours to verify your insurance coverage. This highly detailed verification includes eligibility, co-pay, co-insurance, annual allowance, etc. Our staff will reach back to you, by phone or email, with your result.

To start your insurance verification online, click here to be directed to our insurance verification page.

For a new patient, it generally takes 60-90 minutes to finish. For follow up treatments of an established patient, it generally takes 45-60 minutes to finish. For our ‘Stress Relief Clinic’, the session is about 30 minutes. Treatment time may vary depending on the situation and condition of the patient, but a longer treatment session does not exactly mean a better outcome.

Generally, it is similar to a regular visit at a conventional medical clinic.

Your typical session starts with a comprehensive diagnosis period, followed by a treatment period, and ends with a short herbal consultation should your practitioner recommend herbal medicine for the treatment of your condition(s).

We recommend bringing your medical records, medications and test results, as they can greatly help our practitioners in linking your ailments to the TCM diagnosis.

Please wear loose clothing so that sleeves can be rolled up above the elbows and pant legs can be pulled up above the knees during your treatment.

Avoid brushing your tongue before your treatment. Tongue-evaluation is one of the major diagnostic tools of Chinese medicine, the other being pulse-taking. The tongue’s natural coating is a big part of the inner environment of your body. The coating and features of the tongue is a statement that the body is attempting to tell.

Avoid alcohol, coffee, or any kind of stimulant before your treatment. Anything that alters the inner environment of the body alters the diagnosis, and hence alters the treatment. If you’ve taken such stimulants before your treatment, please notify your practitioner during your evaluation to avoid potential misinterpretation of your physical condition.

Avoid arriving at your treatment on an empty stomach.  Acupuncture treatment tends to move the body Qi. Receiving acupuncture on a low sugar level may lead to lightheadedness, dizziness or even fainting.  A full meal is not necessary, just a snack can give enough energy to the body.

Please turn off your cell phone during your treatment. In order to provide the best care possible, we ask that cell phones be turned off to avoid interruptions.

It depends on the situation such as the state of the illness, patient’s constitution, body’s reaction to the treatment, and etc.  As a rule of thumb, acute disorders require fewer treatments, while chronic disorders require more. Some patients see the results in as little as one or two treatments.

Chinese medicine is an individualized medicine in that our practitioner will construct a specialized treatment plan specific to you with an estimated number and frequency of treatments.

Acupuncture is a method that uses stainless steel filiform needles that are inserted into certain points on the body to stimulate Qi (energy) and blood promoting micro-circulation. The overall well-being of a body depends on the quality of Qi and blood. The flow of Qi through pathways in the human body are called meridians. Through these meridians, acupuncture has physiological effects on the body. To Read more about acupuncture, click here.

Generally, no. Acupuncture needles are extremely thin with an average thickness of about 0.2 mm. This is 1/11th the size of a regular medical syringe. Some people may feel a slight itchiness, warmth, pressure, and/or soreness over the needling sites. To the most sensitive patient, the needling may have a feeling of a prick or slight soreness, but not something significant. 

Yes and no, as the quantity of treatments vary between different conditions and between different people. For instance, acupuncture treatment on migraines often produces immediate results whereas acupuncture treatments on other chronic conditions and diseases may take more time.

One of the greatest advantages of acupuncture is that there are very few, if any, side effects after a treatment. As stated by the World Health Organization, acupuncture is considered a very safe practice. Acupuncture rarely causes damage if performed by licensed practitioners.

Acupuncture will not interact or interfere with any type of medications. However, as the treatments progress, patients may find that they no longer require the same medication dose.  It is important that you work with your doctor to adjust your prescriptions accordingly.

Developed in China for more than 3,000 years, Chinese Medicine (or often referred as Traditional Chinese Medicine, TCM), works by finding the “imbalance” of the body and treating this imbalance for its short-term or long-term purpose. TCM uses a very different way to approach human health compared to western medicine. For more information, we recommend reading a wonderful study of TCM by the World Health Organization.

No. TCM is a completely different medical system and so the diagnosis is completely different.

Drink plenty of water and get a good night’s rest if possible. Nothing is prohibited but please avoid strenuous activities and alcohol, as they can negate the benefits of your treatment.  

Typically, it is recommended to take your herbal medicine before meals.

Dosage may vary between each and every medicine we prescribe. Please refer to the custom printed label on your prescribed medicine packet or bottle for information on dosage size.

If you have any questions regarding directions on how to take them, dosage size, and the effects of your herbal medicine, feel free to contact us at anytime by phone or email!