The first treatment we’ll begin with a discussion of the primary reason that brought you in, followed by a comprehensive health history.

Because we are treating the whole person, not just the symptom, a comprehensive intake evaluation is necessary. Your entire case is taken into consideration to best determine what is causing your ailment, which then acupuncture points are selected to best tailor to you.

Most often you will experience a deep state of relaxation and may even fall asleep.

Acupuncture is a holistic form of medicine that treats the individual, not symptoms. Working with the nervous system, acupuncture points assist the body by moving into its Parasympathetic “Rest and Digest” vs its Sympathetic “Fight or Flight,” allowing the body to allow its extraordinary healing abilities.

TCM originated in China 2,000 to 5,000 years ago and is practiced worldwide. It is an art and a science using a fine single use filiform needles that inserted along channels or meridians in the body at specific points to aid in relief of dysfunction. The concept of Qi (pronounced “chee”), often referred to as “vital energy” or “life force,” flows throughout the body. If Qi is blocked, dysfunction can arise and manifest as anything from pain, digestive problems, to emotional issues. From sports injuries to emotional disorders, the treatment is designed around returning the body to the proper physical and energetic circulatory flow. Since we are all unique beings, Qi stagnation can manifest differently in each person.  

The treatment involves the use of small needles placed in specific locations along energetic channels (meridians) within the body. These channels align with connective tissue as well as nervous system pathways to stimulate the body’s natural pain-killing chemicals, endorphins, and hormones. This helps to improve circulation, decrease inflammation and provide pain relief.

Decrease Inflammation
Decrease in Anxiety/Emotional Imbalance
Increased Endorphin Release
Increased Range of Motion
Increased Nerve Conduction
Increased Circulation
Increased Rate of Healing

Acupuncture needles are hairlike thin and are designed to be virtually painless. Some areas of the body are more sensitive than others and may have different sensations known as “qi sensations.” The goal of the treatment is to go inward and relax - where the healing happens.

Comfortable, loose clothing should be worn that can be pulled above the knees and elbows. Eating something light prior to treatment is ideal, giving your body the fuel it needs to absorb the treatment. Acupuncture on a completely empty stomach could potentially cause feelings of light-headedness post treatment.

Initial consults are scheduled for roughly an hour, and follow up appointments range anywhere from 30-45 minutes, but may vary depending on your treatment. You will rest in the treatment room from anywhere to 20- 30 minutes to relax and let the needles do their work. It is not uncommon to fall asleep during your treatment, and it a wonderful time of quiet!

Acupuncture is a cumulative medicine, so disorders that have taken some time to develop will often resolve over a series of visits. This medicine aspires to instill lasting change, while also providing relief with each visit.

If you are in an acute situation, such as you hurt your shoulder for the first time, usually only a few sessions are needed to get you back to hopefully a pain free state.

If you are in chronic pain possibly having years of previous tears or injuries, you can expect several months worth of regular treatment.

Pain often brings people to acupuncture, but they stay long after the pain is gone when they start to feel the endless benefits mentally and physically. 


Treatable Conditions- According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Acupuncture treatment has been effective in addressing many common health conditions including, but not limited to:

Respiratory: Common Cold, Cough, Asthma, Bronchitis, Sinusitis


Cardiovascular: Heart Disease, Hyper-/Hypotension, Tachycardia, Raynaud’s


Dermatological: Eczema, Psoriasis, Herpes Simplex and Zoster, Alopecia, Vitiligo, Tinea, Acne, Lichen, Rosacea, Seborrhea


Digestive: Diarrhea, Constipation, Ulcers, Acid Reflux, Colitis, Dysentery, Gastritis, Indigestion, IBS, Vomiting, Nausea, Poor Appetite, Gallstones


Genito-Urinary: Pregnancy Support, Fertility, Irregular Menstruation, PMS, Menopause, OB/GYN Disorders, Incontinence, Urinary Dysfunction, Prostate Dysfunction


Auto Immune: Allergies, Chronic Fatigue, Chemotherapy Support, Auto-immune Diseases


Musculoskeletal: Neck/back Pain, Headaches, Bursitis, Tendonitis, Fibromyalgia, Frozen Shoulder, Migraine, Tennis Elbow, Work/sports Injury, Arthritis, Sciatica, Sprain/strain, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome


Endocrine: Diabetes, Thyroid Disease, Hormonal Imbalances


Neurological: Neuropathy, Bell’s Palsy, Stroke, Numbness, Pain, Paralysis


Psycho-Emotional Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Panic Attacks, Memory Loss, Insomnia, OCD, PTSD, SAD, ADD/ADHD, Stress


Eyes, Ear, Nose and Throat: Sore Throat, Tonsillitis, Otitis, Canker Sore, Eye Disorders, Dental Pain, Toothache


Addiction: Smoking Cessation, Chemical Dependency Treatment

Most acupuncture programs for Licensed Acupuncturists (L.Ac.) are required to undertake a course of study involving 4,050 hours of classroom instruction, supervised clinical experience, and out of classroom or out of clinic study assignments. This equates to four years of full time study in addition to whatever undergraduate work the practitioner completed.

In order to obtain a state license, acupuncturists must successfully complete a series of board exams by the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). The NCCAOM is the national organization that requires national board exams and a minimum of 1,365 hours before a practitioner can become licensed. In addition to acupuncture and needling therapy, Chinese medicine school includes herbs, biomedicine, anatomy, physiology, biochemisty, pharmacology, pathophysiology, and clinical experience.

In California, Acupuncturists are required to take a rigorous course of study because CA acupuncturists are  registered as General Practitioners (GP) and must meet the standards for Western doctors. The program I  attended, the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM) in New York City, is a California based program. In addition, California is the only state in the US that does not accept the National Board Exams, and requires a separate and comprehensive state board exam, the California Acupuncture Licensing Exam (CALE). I am licensed in New Jersey as well as California.