What Is Acupuncture —
and How Do You Use It for Pain?
In this practice, acupuncture is used within a clear orthopedic and musculoskeletal assessment framework.
Pain is rarely random. It’s usually driven by specific tissues—muscle, tendon, joint, or nerve—or by the way your body is compensating for something that isn’t functioning well. My job is to identify which structures are actually responsible and treat those directly.
Acupuncture helps by sending targeted signals to the nervous system and affected tissues. These signals can calm irritated nerves, improve local circulation, and help tight or inhibited muscles reset so your body can move and heal more normally.
The difference here is precision. Treatment is based on what testing shows, not just where it hurts.
Is Acupuncture Effective for Pain?
Acupuncture can be very effective for pain when it’s applied with proper assessment and intent.
It has been widely studied and is recognized by organizations such as the World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health for pain-related conditions. In practice, results depend on how well the treatment targets the true driver of pain.
In this clinic, effectiveness comes from:
- Identifying the primary source of pain
- Treating the involved tissues directly
- Monitoring progress with clear benchmarks
If something isn’t changing, we reassess. This is not trial-and-error care.
Does Acupuncture Hurt?
For most people, no.
The needles used are extremely thin and solid, and nothing is injected. You may feel brief pressure, a dull ache, or a quick muscle response when a needle interacts with the tissue. These sensations are short-lived and intentional, especially when treating orthopedic pain.
Once treatment is underway, most patients feel still, relaxed, and comfortable.
What Does a Session Cost?
- Initial Office Visit (90 minutes): $180
- Follow-Up Visits (60 minutes): $120
Your initial visit includes a full orthopedic assessment, treatment, and a clear explanation of findings and next steps. A credit card is kept on file to streamline billing.
Do You Accept Insurance?
Yes. I currently accept:
- Kaiser
- Humana
- Aetna
- Regence
- Premera
- United Healthcare
- Medicare
Coverage varies by plan. I recommend confirming benefits with your insurance provider, and I’m happy to clarify what I can on my end.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
That depends on what assessment reveals and how your body responds.
Some conditions improve quickly once the correct tissue is addressed. More complex or long-standing patterns often take more time to unwind. During the active phase of care, treatment is commonly once or twice per week.
Rather than committing you to an open-ended plan, I look for measurable change early on. As progress stabilizes, visits are spaced out.
What Will a Session Be Like?
Sessions are focused and quiet.
After assessment and treatment, you’ll rest with the needles in place for a short period. You may feel heaviness, warmth, or muscle release. Others feel very little physically but notice changes afterward in pain or movement.
The goal isn’t sensation—it’s functional change that carries into daily life.
What Are Your Qualifications?
I earned my Master of Science in Oriental Medicine from the Institute of Clinical Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ICAOM) in Honolulu, Hawaii, and have been licensed in Washington State since 2023.
I have over 3,000 hours of clinical experience and specialize in orthopedic and pain-focused acupuncture. My training includes specialization in orthopedic acupuncture system called EXSTORE (Examine and Restore). Many of the treatments include electrical stimulation when appropriate.
My care is assessment-driven and results-focused.
Are There Risks or Side Effects?
Side effects are uncommon and usually mild.
They may include temporary soreness, minor bruising, or short-lived sleepiness after treatment (due to endorphins, enkephalins, and dynorphins) which activates your body’s Chill-out mode. These typically resolve within an hour.
Your feedback between visits matters. Tracking changes in pain, movement, and function allows care to be adjusted precisely. Basic aftercare—hydration, rest, and avoiding overexertion—supports better outcomes.