Frequently Asked Questions

This is probably the most common question people who are new to acupuncture ask. And perhaps the most common comment after the first treatment is, “Wow! That didn’t hurt.”

What most people don’t realize is that the average acupuncture needle is about 10-15 times thinner than the average hypodermic needle used to draw blood or give an injection.

This means that, for most people, acupuncture is a relatively painless process. Usually, you won’t feel anything when the needle is inserted; other times, you may feel a very slight pricking sensation as the needle is inserted into the skin which usually goes away quickly. As the needle reaches the proper depth, you may feel a slight dull, achy, or heavy sensation around the needle which is an indication that your acupuncturist has found the right spot!

Most people find the experience of acupuncture relaxing; many even fall asleep during their treatments

When performed by a well-trained and experienced licensed acupuncturist, acupuncture is very safe. All needles are sterile and single use only.

Compared to other types of medical interventions, acupuncture has an excellent safety record. However, like any medical procedure, side-effects – while not common – are possible. For example, it is possible to experience an occasional bruise or soreness at the site of a needle insertion, especially in people who are prone to bruising. In most cases, this will subside within a couple days.

Acupuncture (and Chinese medicine, generally) is effective for many conditions. 3,500 years of clinical history and a growing body of research in recent years bears this out.

Click on my Health Blog to find some of the research that supports the effectiveness of acupuncture and Chinese medicine.

Since each person’s health situation, budget, and schedule is unique, it’s not possible to give a definitive answer to this question.

Please understand that acupuncture is not magic, so don’t expect your condition to resolve with a single treatment. I will create a treatment plan that is customized for you and go over it carefully with you at your first visit. It’s important to follow the treatment plan for optimal results.

Generally speaking, acute, uncomplicated conditions in a reasonably healthy person usually require 6-12 treatments, with most people experiencing some improvement in the first few treatments. Acute conditions – particularly pain conditions – respond best to 2 treatments per week over a short period of time (3-4 weeks).

However, chronic pain and long-standing, complicated illness may take a minimum of 10-12 or even more treatments to effectively address. For example, women with long-standing PMS or painful periods will need regular treatment over a minimum of two – and ideally three – menstrual cycles to experience the full benefits of treatment.

For chronic pain and long-standing, complicated illness, I generally like to see patients twice a week the first week, followed by weekly treatments over a longer period of time. I will usually do a thorough reevaluation on the sixth visit to assess progress and ensure we are on the right track.

After a condition is resolved, it’s common for patients to come once or twice a month for “tune-ups” and preventive care.

With most insurance plans in Oregon, including motor vehicle collision/car accident insurance, you do not need a doctor’s referral to see an acupuncturist.

However, some Kaiser insurance plans, as well as worker’s compensation insurance, require a doctor’s referral.

Please check with your insurance company before scheduling to determine if you need a referral to Best Practice Acupuncture.

I am in network with the following insurance companies and can bill your insurance if your particular plan covers acupuncture:

• Blue Cross/Blue Shield
• American Specialty Health (ASH)
• Healthnet
• Providence
• Aetna
• United Healthcare
• Cigna

I am in the process of becoming an in-network provider with the following insurance companies:

• Pacific Source
• CHP
• Humana
• Triwest
• Tricare

Please check back soon if you have these insurance plans and would like to see me.

If you don’t see your insurance company listed above, you may still be able to use your insurance if your company provides acupuncture benefits for out-of-network providers.  Here’s how this works:

• You pay in full at the time of each treatment 
• I provide you with an itemized superbill (receipt) after each visit which you then submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.

Prior to your first treatment, please call your insurance company (using the number on the back of your insurance card) to ensure that your plan provides acupuncture benefits for out-of-network providers and get the specific details of those benefits.

Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to verify if you have out-of-network acupuncture insurance coverage.

Yes. I accept motor vehicle accident insurance or car accident insurance. All drivers with Oregon insurance are covered by personal injury protection (PIP). This money is there to help you recover from accident related pain, and you do not need a referral from your doctor.

At this point, I do not accept Workers’ Compensation cases.

Absolutely! For patients with no health insurance coverage, I offer a 20% time-of-service (TOS) discount off my usual fees.

For patients undergoing financial hardship, please contact me to discuss my rates. 

Sometimes they do, but sometimes they actually taste pretty good! Mostly they just taste a little “herby,” like the roots, branches, and flowers they are.

If an herbal formula is well-matched to a patient’s constitution, sometimes people report that the taste of the herbs grows on them over time. So, even if they don’t like the taste of the herbs at first, the longer they take them the more they enjoy them.

COVID-19 continues to be a leading cause of death in the United States. And while the estimates vary, Long COVID impacts anywhere from 5%-30% of people who have been infected, regardless of the severity of the infection. This means that even people who have had mild COVID infection can develop Long COVID.

I know people who have died from COVID; I have family members who are struggling with debilitating Long COVID. 

As a healthcare practitioner, I take an oath to do my best to both heal AND prevent disease. That is why I still mask, both in my clinic and when I am in other indoor settings. I encourage all my patients to do the same.