FAQ
Getting Started
Do I need to believe in this for it to work?
No. I take a clinical, logic-first approach. While I respect the traditions, I don’t lean on mysticism or esoterica to justify the treatment or results. Acupuncture only requires your participation, not a specific belief system.
Isn’t acupuncture based on qi, meridians, and energy?
Yes, but you can think in terms of qi and meridians, or you can think in terms of neuro-vascular highways and blood flow. Ultimately, it’s semantics. I focus on treatments that work and have been proven effective for a very long time.
Is this just for sports injuries?
No. While I work with high-performers to restore explosiveness, I also specialize in modern workspace injuries. If eight hours at a desk or behind the wheel has shut down your glutes and created chronic lower back pain or sciatic pain down your leg, this protocol can work for you.
Insurance & Pricing
Do you accept my insurance?
I am in-network with all 1199SEIU plans and select Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) plans. If you have out-of-network coverage, I can verify your policy to see what coverage applies to your care.
How do I know what my out-of-pocket cost will be?
I will verify your specific policy details and tell you exactly what your coverage looks like before your first visit. I know that insurance policies are tricky to navigate, and I’m here to help. The most direct way to get an answer is to provide me with your insurance information so I can do a benefits verification.
Do you balance bill?
No. If I am in-network or if we utilize your out-of-network benefits, I accept what the insurance pays. You are only responsible for the co-pays or deductibles required by your specific policy. There are no hidden fees.
What are your out-of-pocket rates?
If you do not have coverage, I offer two straightforward options:
- Per Session:
- $125
- 8-Week Concierge Package:
- $800. This is an 8-week commitment to your recovery that allows you to come once or twice a week (up to 16 sessions total). It locks in your care at $100/week and ensures we complete the full protocol.
Do I have to file my own insurance claims?
No. Whether you are in-network or out-of-network, I handle all claim submissions for you. I do the digging and the paperwork so you can focus on getting better.
The Treatment Approach
Why haven’t my other treatments worked?
A lot of generalized care focuses on the site of the pain rather than the system causing it. My approach identifies how much of the issue is hardware (the structure) or software (the nervous system) to ensure the pain doesn’t just return in a day or two.
Why the needles?
Think of the needles as precision conductors. They allow us to access the motor points (the specific areas where the nerve enters the muscle) with a level of accuracy that manual therapy alone cannot achieve. It’s the most direct way to “reboot” a muscle that has been chronically compressed or inhibited.
What is electro-stim?
Electro-stim (electrical stimulation) is a mild electrical current delivered through the acupuncture needles (and usually only a few points – not every needle!). It creates a rhythmic pulsing that causes the muscle to gently contract and gently release repeatedly. This movement helps break up chronic tension, releases muscle spasms, and resets the muscle’s communication with the nervous system, all without the need for aggressive manual manipulation.
How is this different from dry needling?
Dry needling often relies on a shotgun approach with a high volume of insertions to find a result. By using electro-stim, I can be much more precise. The electricity does the work of stimulating the tissue, which means I use significantly fewer needles and fewer insertions to achieve a deep muscular reset.
Why do you combine modern tech with traditional points?
The modern tech (electro-stim) handles the hardware-resetting the muscle and decompressing the nerve. The traditional points handle the software-shifting your nervous system into a parasympathetic state (rest and digest). Healing won’t be effective in a body stuck in a high-stress, fight-or-flight pain loop.
What is the role of cupping?
I don’t use cupping in every treatment, but cupping can be extremely effective at relaxing muscles and reducing pain. While needles reset the muscles, cupping decompresses the fascia (the connective tissue). This unsticks the layers of tissue that can trap nerves and restrict blood flow. It’s often the final step in ensuring the area has the circulation it needs to stay healed.
What about the zen feeling people talk about?
That isn’t just a spiritual feeling-it’s the measurable activation of your vagus nerve. By shifting your body into a parasympathetic state (rest and digest), you can lower cortisol levels and blood pressure. This is a biological necessity; a body that is stuck in a high-stress pain loop won’t heal effectively.
What to Expect
Does the treatment hurt?
Most patients find it surprisingly relaxing. When the electro-stim is active, you’ll feel a gentle, rhythmic tapping or a dull pulse as the muscle resets (again, this is only on a few of the points, not all of them). Because electro-stim allows me to use fewer needles, there is much less of the post-workout soreness often associated with aggressive needling.
How long is each session?
I book every patient for a full hour. This ensures we’re never rushed and have enough time for the treatment and consultation.
How much time is spent with the needles?
The needles are typically in for 30 minutes.
What about the first visit?
Your first session is often a deep dive, so I allot extra time for us to discuss your history and any details before we begin the actual treatment.
How long does it take to see results?
While many patients feel a reset after the first session, true structural stability takes time. This is why we focus on a treatment protocol that takes you from pain reduction to actual recovery.
How many sessions are typically required?
While many feel a reset after the first session, chronic spinal issues, and other types of chronic pain, are usually a result of long-term patterns. That’s why I recommend an eight week block of care. This gives us enough time to stop the acute pain, reset the muscular habits, and ensure the results actually stick when you go back to your desk or the gym.
Conditions Treated
What exactly is your approach to treating sciatic pain?
I use a combination of traditional acupuncture and modern neuro-muscular techniques, focusing on motor points with electro-stim. Electro-stim elicits a twitching response from the muscle, which forces it to relax and stop aggravating the sciatic nerve.
Do you treat things other than back pain?
Yes. While I specialize in the spine and sciatica, my protocol is effective for any issue involving nerve entrapment, muscular dysfunction, and chronic pain. Most types of pain respond well to electro-acupuncture.
What if I’ve been told I need surgery?
At times, a surgical intervention for structural issues may be a good solution. However, many cases that seem surgical are actually issues of protective guarding by the nervous system or muscular entrapment (tension, spasms, and pinched nerves). My goal is to restore movement and reduce the need for invasive procedures.
Does acupuncture work for things other than pain?
Yes. It is highly effective for anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. The treatment works by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, shifting your body out of a stressed state and into a restorative one. This biological shift is what allows for better sleep, stabilized mood, and less anxiety.