New to acupuncture, or just curious what actually happens in the room? Here's a plain-language walkthrough of every treatment we offer — what it feels like, what it's used for, and what to expect on your visit.
Fine, sterile needles placed at specific points on the body to ease pain, calm the nervous system, and support the body's own repair process.
Acupuncture is often the first thing people think of when they hear "Chinese medicine," and for good reason — it's our most requested treatment. Hair-thin, single-use sterile needles are placed just under the skin at points chosen for your specific symptoms.
Most first-time patients are surprised by how little it hurts. You may feel a brief pinch on insertion, then a dull, heavy, or warm sensation as the needle settles — not sharp pain. Many people relax or even fall asleep during a session.
A typical visit runs 45–60 minutes: a short check-in on how you've been since your last visit, needle placement, then 20–30 minutes of rest while the needles stay in.
A focused technique that inserts a thin needle directly into a tight muscle knot (trigger point) to release tension and restore normal movement.
Dry needling looks similar to acupuncture — both use thin, sterile needles — but the goal is different. Instead of working along broader body pathways, dry needling targets a specific, palpable knot in a muscle that's causing pain or restricting movement.
When the needle reaches the knot, the muscle often twitches once and then releases — patients frequently describe an immediate sense of the area "letting go." It's a common addition for sports injuries, repetitive strain, and stubborn shoulder, neck, or lower-back tightness.
Because it works directly on the muscle, it can feel more intense in the moment than acupuncture, but that sensation is brief — usually a few seconds per point.
Rhythmic hands-on pressure along the same pathways used in acupuncture — a gentler entry point if you'd rather not start with needles.
If needles aren't for you — or you're bringing a child in — acupressure massage delivers similar benefits through hands-on pressure and manipulation instead. Using thumbs, palms, and forearms, your practitioner works along the body's pathways to ease tight muscles and improve circulation.
It's frequently used as a standalone treatment for tension and stress, or paired with acupuncture in the same visit for a more complete session.
Suction cups placed on the skin to release tight muscles and improve local circulation — often paired with acupuncture for pain and recovery cases.
Cupping uses glass or silicone cups and gentle suction to lift the skin and superficial muscle layer, increasing local blood flow and loosening tightness that's hard to reach with pressure alone.
You may notice circular marks after treatment where the cups were placed — these are from the suction drawing blood to the surface, not bruising from impact. They typically fade within a few days to a week and aren't painful.
Gentle, controlled heat applied near the skin to warm areas of poor circulation — commonly used for cold sensitivity, digestive issues, and fertility support.
Moxibustion involves burning a small amount of dried mugwort (moxa) close to the skin, without touching it, to deliver a steady, penetrating warmth. It's often used on people who run cold, have sluggish digestion, or are working on fertility.
The sensation is warm and soothing rather than hot — your practitioner checks in throughout to make sure the heat stays comfortable.
Plant-based formulas built around your specific symptoms, not a one-size-fits-all bottle.
Herbal medicine is prescribed the way a formula, not a single ingredient — a combination of herbs selected and balanced for your particular pattern of symptoms. It's frequently used alongside in-clinic treatment for cases that need ongoing, at-home support between visits.
Formulas may come as raw herbs to prepare as tea, granules, or pre-made pills, depending on what fits your routine and the case.
Micro-needling tailored to facial anatomy and skin condition — a cosmetic application of the same precision used in our clinical work.
Facial MTS (micro-needling therapy system) acupuncture uses very fine needles at a shallow depth across the face to stimulate the skin's natural repair process. Treatment is customized to your skin type, concerns, and facial structure.
It's a cosmetic treatment rather than a symptom-focused one, and is often chosen by patients already familiar with acupuncture who want to extend care to skin tone and texture.