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Frequently Asked Questions
| 1. What is Acupuncture & How Does it Work? Acupuncture, a key component of Chinese Medicine, has a long history of treating various diseases. It works by stimulating the flow of bio-electricity and blood, which can become disrupted in the body. Fine needles are inserted at specific points to restore the flow of energy and blood, addressing patterns of disharmony that affect the body, mind, and spirit. By targeting these points, acupuncture helps to restore balance and promote healing on a deep level. |
| 2. Is Acupuncture Effective? Acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of medical care still in use today and is a primary health-care system for a third of the world’s population. Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have reviewed research and clinical trials on acupuncture and found it effective for a variety of conditions. Clinical studies have shown that acupuncture can successfully treat many diseases and symptoms. To learn more about what acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help with, check out the ‘Conditions Treated’ ‘Pain Management” page. You can also read patient testimonials to hear about their experiences. |
| 3. Does Acupuncture Hurt? This is easily the most common question I get! Acupuncture needles are incredibly thin—25 to 50 times thinner than a typical hypodermic needle. They’re solid, not hollow, and nothing is injected. Most people barely feel them going in, and the treatment is usually painless. Once the needles are in place, you likely won’t feel a thing. In fact, many patients find the experience so relaxing that they often fall asleep during the session! |
| 4. How Much Does a Session Cost? The Initial Office Visit are $100 for a 90 minute session. Follow up office visits cost $80 for a 60 minutes session. We require folks to keep a credit card on file to streamline the billing process. |
| 5. Do you Take Insurance? Yes I do! I accept most major insurances such as: Kaiser, Regence, Premera, Aetna, United Health, and more. Please Visit the Insurance Page for more information. |
| 6. What will the Experience be like? Many patients find acupuncture sessions to be so relaxing that they actually fall asleep during treatment. Everyone’s experience is a little different—some feel nothing at all, while others might notice a sense of heaviness, a dull ache, warmth, or tingling. Your comfort is my top priority, so please don’t hesitate to share any concerns or preferences with me. I’m happy to adjust the treatment to ensure you’re as comfortable as possible. |
| 7. What Should I Bring to my Appointment? Please remember to bring your completed Health History, Consent to Treat, and HIPAA forms. Everything else you need will be provided at your appointment. I recommend wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing with undergarments. If you have long hair, please bring a hair tie. Many acupuncture points are on the lower arms and legs, but depending on your treatment, we might also use points on the upper arms, legs, chest, or back. |
| 8. How Many Sessions Will I Need? The number of sessions you’ll need depends on a few factors like your age, overall health, how long you’ve had the issue, and how your body responds to treatment. Some acute problems may improve with just a few sessions, while chronic conditions might require more time and multiple treatments. For many common concerns, a series of four to six treatments often shows good results, but chronic conditions may need ongoing care over a longer period. The well-known adage about acupuncture goes like this: If you’ve had a problem for a day, one session might be enough. If it’s been around for a week, it could take a few days of treatment. A problem lingering for a month may need a few weeks of care, and if it’s been a year, we might need several months to address it. The longer it’s been, the more time it may take to unwind—but you get the idea! Acupuncture works by helping your body make gradual changes to relieve pain, balance your internal systems, and restore energy levels. These changes take time, so I’ll recommend a treatment plan based on my experience, but I’ll also consider your individual needs and how you’re responding. During the active healing phase, it’s best to have treatments once or twice a week. The effects of acupuncture build up over time, and with regular sessions, you’ll likely notice a steady improvement in your symptoms. As your body gets stronger and your condition stabilizes, we can reduce the frequency of treatments. Eventually, you may only need sessions every 10 to 14 days, or even just a monthly maintenance visit. Once you’ve experienced two weeks of consistent symptom relief, we can feel confident that the issue is unlikely to return. To help speed up your progress and reduce the number of treatments needed, we can also incorporate other therapies like Chinese herbal medicine, moxibustion, dietary and lifestyle advice, nutritional supplements, energetic exercises, meditation, and relaxation techniques. |
| 9. What are the Qualifications of My Acupuncturist? In 2021, Katie Pierce earned her Master of Science in Oriental Medicine from the Institute of Clinical Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ICAOM) in Honolulu, Hawaii. She has been licensed in Washington State since 2023. Katie has developed expertise in Dr. Richard Tan’s ‘Balance Method’ and Master Tung’s ‘Image Technique,’ two powerful acupuncture styles that effectively re-balance the body both internally and externally. She has a keen ability to listen to a patient’s body, facilitating effective symptom relief and promoting healing. Katie utilizes a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, lifestyle guidance, exercises, topicals, and supplements to help her patients achieve optimal health. Her commitment to excellence is evident in all aspects of her practice. Katie employs an integrated, comprehensive approach to address challenges and achieve patient goals. |
| 10. What Should I be Doing at Home, Outside the Acupuncture Sessions to get Better Faster? You’ll find plenty of helpful information on the Health Resources page. If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out to Katie directly at contact@thatsthespotacupuncture.com. She’s always happy to help! |
Health Resources
Exercise for the Neck and Shoulders
- Stretch and Mobilize
- Alleviate Pain and Stiffness
- Strengthen and Heal
Sleep Better – Tips and Supplements
- How to Create a proper Bedtime Routine.
- Which Supplements can help me Fall and Stay Asleep?
- Acupuncture Protocols for Sleep Disturbances.
“Health is a relationship between you and your body.” – Terri Guillemets
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