Frequently Asked Questions - That's the Spot Acupuncture LLC

1. What is Acupuncture & How Does it Work?
Acupuncture, a central practice in Chinese Medicine, promotes healing by restoring the body’s natural balance. This is achieved through the insertion of fine needles at specific points, which stimulate the flow of bio-electricity and blood, addressing disruptions that may cause various health issues.

Key Mechanisms:
Neural Modulation: Acupuncture may reduce pain by calming nerves that transmit pain signals, decreasing the activity of certain cells associated with pain and inflammation.

Release of Endorphins: The practice can trigger the release of the body’s natural painkillers, such as endorphins, enhancing pain relief.

Activation of Pain Control Systems: Acupuncture may enhance the body’s ability to manage pain by increasing levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, chemicals that help reduce pain perception.

Improved Circulation and Reduced Inflammation: Stimulating specific points can enhance blood flow and decrease inflammation, contributing to pain relief and overall healing.

By targeting these mechanisms, acupuncture facilitates the body’s self-healing processes, promoting balance and well-being.

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 ‘Pain Management‘ page to see what conditions we have treated. You can also read patient testimonials to hear about their experiences.

3. Does Acupuncture Hurt?
This is a common question! Acupuncture needles are extremely thin—much finer than those used for injections. They’re solid, not hollow, and nothing is injected. Most people barely feel the insertion, and treatments are typically painless. I’ve developed a gentle technique to ensure minimal discomfort; occasionally, you might feel a slight sensation that quickly subsides. Once the needles are in place, it’s common to feel so relaxed that many patients even fall asleep during the session!

4. How Much Does a Session Cost?
I offer competitive prices, ensuring you can get the acupuncture YOU NEED!
The Initial Office Visit are $90 for a 90 minute session.
Follow up office visits cost $60 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! Currently, I accept: Kaiser HMO, Kaiser PPO, Humana WA Acupuncture, Aetna WA CAM. Regence, Premera, and United Health are soon to come. Thank you for your patience!

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. All of these sensations and more are therapeutic responses to acupuncture. Acupuncture effectively gets your nervous system out of the four F response: Flight, Fight, Freeze, Fawn, and back in to deep rest/digest mode: parasympathetic activation. Life is stressful! Acupuncture can help you achieve stress relief, calm, peace, and healing!

6a. What about Adverse Reactions?
Adverse reactions to acupuncture are uncommon, especially when performed by a qualified practitioner. The most frequently reported minor side effects include:
Soreness or Pain at Needle Sites: Some individuals may experience mild discomfort or tenderness where the needles were inserted.
Minor Bleeding or Bruising: Occasionally, slight bleeding or bruising can occur at the needle insertion points.
Fatigue: A sense of tiredness or fatigue may follow a session, typically resolving within a few hours.
These effects are generally mild and transient.

Please always communicate with me, your acupuncturist, about your experience after each session. I often provide “homework,” asking you to record your symptoms and any changes following acupuncture. This feedback is invaluable, as it helps tailor treatments to your specific needs and enhances the effectiveness of our sessions.
Additionally, adhering to recommended aftercare practices can significantly influence the outcomes of your treatment. For instance, staying hydrated, resting adequately, and avoiding strenuous activities post-session can support the body’s natural healing processes.

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 or serious conditions require more time, multiple treatments, and herbs. For many common concerns, a series of eight treatments often shows good results, but chronic conditions may need ongoing care over a longer period.

Healing takes 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.

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.

The well-known adage about acupuncture goes like this:
If you’ve had an issue for a day, it may take a day to resolve.
If you’ve had it for a week, expect 2–3 days of treatment.
If it has persisted for a month, treatment may take 2–3 weeks.
For problems lasting several months or years, it may require several weeks to months of consistent care.
Healing takes time, and longer-standing conditions typically require a more extended treatment plan to achieve lasting results.

The effects of acupuncture build gradually, and with regular sessions, you’ll notice steady improvements in your symptoms. Healing is a process—much like tending a garden or slow-roasting prime ribs, it takes time and care!
We are working to break a pain pattern, and it’s important to consider: How long did it take for your condition to reach this stage? Just as it took time to develop, it will take time to unwind and restore balance. Patience and consistency are key to lasting results.

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 January 2023 and has accumulated over 3,000 hours of clinical practice.
Katie specializes in Dr. Richard Tan’s ‘Balance Method’ and Master Tung’s ‘Image Technique,’ two highly effective acupuncture styles that restore balance internally and externally. She also integrates sports medicine techniques with electrical stimulation to promote faster healing and pain relief.
Her approach to care is comprehensive and results-driven, blending acupuncture, herbal medicine, lifestyle guidance, therapeutic exercises, topicals, and supplements to support her patients’ health and well-being. Helping people feel better and live pain-free is what I do best.

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 is a relationship between you and your body.” – Terri Guillemets

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