What are my qualifications?
I earned my Master of Science in Oriental Medicine from the Institute for Clinical Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ICAOM) in Honolulu, Hawaii, and I have been licensed in Washington State since January 2023.
My clinical training includes over 3,000 hours of hands-on patient care, with a focus on orthopedic and musculoskeletal pain conditions.
In addition to my graduate training, I have completed hundreds of hours of continuing education in the EXSTORE (Examine and Restore) system, an advanced orthopedic acupuncture approach developed to improve assessment accuracy and treatment precision for pain and injury conditions.
EXSTORE applies a biomechanical and neuromuscular understanding of the body to help identify which muscles, joints, and nerves are contributing to pain patterns. This structured approach helps guide treatment decisions and allows care to be adapted based on how your body responds.
My treatment approach integrates:
• orthopedic assessment methods
• electroacupuncture for neuromuscular activation
• trigger point and motor point needling
• movement-based treatment planning
• exercise recommendations to support long-term improvement
Care is always individualized and based on clinical findings.
Evidence-informed effects of electroacupuncture
The Research suggests that low-frequency electrical stimulation (commonly around 2–10 Hz) can influence how the nervous system communicates with injured tissues. (2-10hz is a very gentle frequency).
Studies show electroacupuncture can:
• reduce neurogenic inflammation
• influence opioid and neurotransmitter activity involved in pain modulation
• improve circulation in affected tissues
• support neuromuscular activation patterns
• reduce hypersensitivity after nerve or tissue injury
Low-frequency stimulation appears particularly helpful for neuropathic and inflammatory pain conditions, where restoring normal nerve signaling is an important part of recovery.
Electroacupuncture has also been shown to reduce inflammatory mediators such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and COX-2, which are involved in persistent pain signaling.
Additional studies suggest electroacupuncture can decrease neurogenic inflammation and alter pain sensitivity through effects on peripheral nerves, the spinal cord, and brain signaling pathways.
Example: Ankle Sprain
A common example is an ankle sprain.
When an ankle is injured, the body sends strong protective signals to the brain. These signals increase inflammation and temporarily inhibit certain muscles to prevent further damage.
This is helpful in the short term, but after the tissue heals, those same muscles may still not activate properly.
This can lead to:
• lingering weakness
• poor balance
• feeling unstable on uneven ground
• repeat ankle sprains
• tightness on one side of the ankle
• reduced confidence when walking or exercising
Using EXSTORE principles, I can apply low-frequency electrical stimulation to key stabilizing muscles of the ankle, such as:
• peroneus longus
• peroneus brevis
• tibialis posterior
These muscles play an important role in proprioception, which is your body’s ability to sense position and control movement.
Low-frequency stimulation helps:
• improve communication between nerves and muscles
• reduce neurogenic inflammation
• restore normal muscle activation patterns
• improve joint stability
• support healthy movement during healing
You may notice a gentle rhythmic muscle contraction during treatment. This is intentional and helps re-establish coordinated activation patterns after injury.
In simple terms, treatment helps the muscles “wake back up” so the ankle can function more normally again.
Why this approach is different
Acupuncture has many different traditions. Some practitioners focus on classical Chinese medicine, others specialize in fertility, internal medicine, herbal therapy, or general wellness care.
All of these approaches have value, and each developed to address different types of health concerns.
My practice focuses specifically on orthopedic and musculoskeletal conditions — problems involving the muscles, joints, nerves, and connective tissue that affect movement and cause pain.
To support this focus, I use principles from the EXSTORE system (Examine and Restore), an assessment-based method developed to help practitioners evaluate and treat pain conditions in a structured and repeatable way.
EXSTORE emphasizes careful testing to identify which tissues are contributing most to the problem, and then applies targeted treatment to help restore more normal function.
Does Acupuncture Hurt?
Usually, much less than people expect.
Most patients feel very little. You might notice:
• a light tap
• a small twitch
• a brief tingling sensation
• a feeling of heaviness or warmth
These sensations are normal and usually pass quickly.
That said, some areas are naturally more sensitive than others. I’ll do my best to communicate expectations before we get started. Our work together is going to be a collaboration. We make decisions together about your care.
My goal is always to make treatment as comfortable and manageable as possible.
What if I am scared of needles?
That is a very normal concern.
If you are nervous about needles, I can still work with you. Depending on the situation, I may also use:
• cupping
• tuina
• guasha
• heat therapy
Treatments are always tailored to your comfort.
Scope of Practice
As a licensed Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine Practitioner in Washington State, I am trained to provide a range of therapies intended to support pain reduction, functional improvement, and overall health.
These therapies may include:
• acupuncture using sterile, single-use needles
• electroacupuncture (gentle electrical stimulation applied through needles)
• dry needling of motor points and trigger points
• cupping therapy
• manual therapy techniques
• heat therapy (including moxibustion or infrared heat)
• movement and exercise guidance
• breathing and relaxation techniques
• lifestyle and health education
These methods fall within the legal scope of practice defined by Washington State law.
What Does a Session Cost?
Initial Office Visit (90 minutes): $180
Follow-Up Visit (60 minutes): $120
Your initial visit includes:
• a full orthopedic assessment
• treatment
• a clear explanation of what I found
• next steps and treatment recommendations
A credit card is kept on file to streamline billing.
What’s the Cancellation policy?
I ask for at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment.
This helps me offer that time to someone else who may be waiting for care.
Late Cancel / No Show Fee: $120
If something unexpected happens, please reach out. I understand that emergencies come up.
Do you accept insurance?
I plan to accept major insurance plans in Washington soon. Right now, I am in the process of updating my information in their systems, and that can take time.
Current expected availability:
• Kaiser — May 2026
• Humana — May 2026
• Aetna — May 2026
• Apple Health plans including Ambetter and CHPW — May 2026
• United Healthcare — June 2026
• Regence — June 2026
• Premera — June 2026
Coverage varies by plan, so I always recommend confirming your benefits directly with your insurance company. I am also happy to clarify what I can on my end.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
I would need to evaluate you first to give you a more accurate answer.
The number of visits depends on:
• how long you have had the problem
• how severe the problem is
• the current state of your overall health
• any other underlying chronic systemic inflammation/sympathetic tone
In general, I often start by seeing patients twice per week for 2–3 weeks, then reassess.
Some people need less. Some need more.
At each visit, I check in on your progress and look for meaningful changes. My goal is to help you reach at least two weeks of sustained symptom relief, because that suggests the body is starting to hold onto a healthier baseline instead of falling back into the same pain pattern.
Your homework matters too. The exercises and tools I give you play a big role in helping your body maintain progress between visits.
What Will a Session Be Like?
Initial visits are 90 minutes.
First, I review your intake forms and health history. Then I perform orthopedic testing and ask questions to understand the problem more clearly.
After that, I explain:
• what I am seeing
• what your options are
• what I recommend
If the plan feels good to you, we begin treatment.
After treatment, you will rest with the needles in for about 20–30 minutes. Many patients fall asleep during this time.
When I come back, I remove the needles, review your treatment plan, and go over your homework. You will also receive an email with video exercise instructions within 24 hours. Then we get your treatment plan scheduled out.
Follow-up visits are 60 minutes.
We start with a progress check: what is better, what is worse, and what still needs work. Then I update the plan as needed, perform treatment, and have you rest again for about 20–30 minutes. At the end, we review your homework and next steps.
Risks and Possible Side Effects
Acupuncture is generally considered very safe when performed by a licensed practitioner using sterile, single-use needles.
Most side effects are mild and temporary.
Possible side effects may include:
• mild soreness at needle sites
• minor bruising
• temporary fatigue or sleepiness after treatment
• brief dizziness or lightheadedness
• temporary increase in symptoms before improvement
• minor bleeding when needles are removed
Less common risks include:
• fainting
• localized skin irritation
• aggravation of symptoms
• infection (rare when sterile procedures are followed)
Eating before your visit and staying hydrated can help reduce the likelihood of dizziness or fatigue.
If anything feels unusual after treatment, I encourage patients to reach out so we can determine the best next step.
Patient comfort, safety, and informed consent are always priorities.
Can I Work Out After My Session?
Yes, usually.
I just recommend reducing the intensity for the rest of the day.
That may mean:
• using lighter weight
• doing fewer reps
• choosing gentler movement
• avoiding max-effort training right away
The goal after treatment is to reinforce a healthier, less painful movement pattern — not immediately overload the tissues again.
Gentle activation is often helpful. Overdoing it too soon can irritate the area and bring the pain pattern back.
If you want, I can also turn this into website-ready accordion copy with short answers first and expandable detail underneath.