Questions people ask first

Most people feel a brief pinch, a dull ache or a warm heaviness at some points, and many feel very little. The needles are much thinner than the ones used for injections. Tell us right away if anything feels sharp and we will adjust it.

Yes. We use sterile, single-use needles, open them in front of you and discard each one in a sharps container after one use. Our policies page explains how we clean the room and the cups.

We suggest a plan at your first visit, usually a few visits close together and then fewer, and we review it with you as we go. It is our plan for you, not a promise, and you can stop whenever you like.

We are out of network. Some plans reimburse acupuncture when you send in the receipt we give you, and others don't, so ask your plan. Our fees page lists the questions to ask.

Wear loose clothes with sleeves and pant legs that roll up, and eat a light meal an hour or two before you come. Please skip strong perfume. For Saam and hand-and-foot points you stay dressed.

We talk, then read your pulse at both wrists and look at your tongue. We explain which points we plan to use and why, place the needles, and let you rest for a while. A first visit takes about 75 minutes, and later visits about 45.

Tell us before any needle if you are pregnant or might be. Some points are not used during pregnancy, so we adjust the plan, and we suggest you tell your midwife or doctor that you are coming to us.

No. Take your medicines as your prescriber directed, and tell them about everything you take, including herbs, vitamins and teas. Tell us as well, so we can plan around it.

Herbs can interact with medicines, so we check first. Bring us a list of everything you take, and we go over it before we recommend any herb. Tell your prescriber about the herbs you take, too.

Yes. Sungho Chae and Dongwook Heo both speak Korean and English, and so does the front desk. Tell us which you prefer when you book.