FAQ

 

WHAT IS FIVE ELEMENT ACUPUNCTURE?

Five Element Acupuncture is a classical system of Chinese medicine that works with the five elements, Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal, to restore balance and support the natural flow of qi throughout the body.

Each element corresponds to a season, a set of organs, emotions, and ways of being in the world. When these elements are in balance, we feel well, physically, mentally, and spiritually. When they are out of balance, we may experience symptoms, fatigue, emotional difficulty, or a decline in our overall health and wellbeing.

Physical, mental, and spiritual distress often has roots that go beyond external circumstances. How we carry our experiences, emotions, and energy plays a significant role in our overall health. Five Element Acupuncture works at that deeper level, addressing the root of imbalance and supporting the body's return to its natural state of vitality.

In this tradition, health is not simply the absence of disease. It is the capacity to function well, feel grounded, and engage fully with one's life. Treatment is always directed at the whole person, with the goal of finding and addressing the root of what is out of balance.

The Five Elements and their corresponding seasons:

  • Water — Winter

  • Wood — Spring

  • Fire — Summer

  • Earth — Late Summer

  • Metal — Autumn

 

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT ON MY FIRST VISIT?

The first visit is an intake appointment and will be longer than a regular session, usually up to 2 hours. This time is spent getting to know you, your history, and your environment, as well as any symptoms or concerns you may be experiencing. From there, each visit is typically 50 to 60 minutes.

Please wear loose, comfortable clothing. Where possible, avoid perfumes, fragrances, heavy makeup, and styling products before your appointment. This helps remove some of the layers that can interfere with assessment.

As a Five Element practitioner, I take a holistic approach, treating the whole person rather than symptoms alone. After your first session, I recommend for the rest of the day keeping activity light, limiting alcohol and allowing yourself time to rest and integrate.

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL TREATMENT LOOK LIKE?

A typical session lasts about an hour. We begin with a brief check-in, how you have been since your last visit, any changes in sleep, mood, digestion, energy, or anything else that feels relevant.

From there, I will take your pulses to assess the quality and movement of your qi. This guides the treatment. I select the acupuncture points, and use fine needles to access the qi at each point, often re-taking pulses in between to monitor the response. In most cases the needles are removed immediately, though occasionally they may be left in 10 to 15 minutes.

Some treatments also include moxibustion, the burning of a herb called moxa (artemisia vulgaris) directly on an acupuncture point to warm and strengthen the qi. It is a gentle, deeply nourishing part of treatment.

Please wear loose, comfortable clothing and avoid perfumes, fragrances, makeup, and styling products before your appointment.

 

 

DO THE NEEDLES HURT?

The needles used are very fine and generally cannot be felt. Occasionally the patient will feel a tingling sensation. As the needle reaches the qi, patients generally feel a light tug.

DO YOU TAKE INSURANCE?

I am currently in-network with the following insurance providers:

  • Aetna

  • Moda

  • Pacific Source

  • Regence/BCBS

  • United Health Care

I strongly encourage you to contact your insurance provider directly to confirm whether your plan includes acupuncture coverage and, if so, how many visits are covered per year. Coverage can vary significantly between plans, and knowing this in advance will help you plan your course of treatment accordingly.

For patients with out-of-network benefits, I am happy to provide a superbill that can be submitted to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. Please note that reimbursement is determined by your individual insurance plan.

WHAT ARE YOUR FEES?

Initial Appointment (approx. 2 hours): $250
Follow-Up Appointments (1 hour): $125

Accepted payment methods:
• Cash
• Check
• Venmo
• Zelle

If cost is a barrier to treatment, please reach out. Sliding-scale options and payment plans may be available based on individual circumstances.

WHAT ARE YOUR OFFICE HOURS?

Office Hours: Wednesdays & Fridays
Appointment Times: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM


WHAT IS THE FREQUENCY OF TREATMENT?

Treatment frequency is determined by the state of your pulses and the nature of your presenting condition. For health maintenance and prevention, one treatment per season, five times per year, is generally sufficient to sustain balance.

For acute or chronic conditions, an initial course of weekly or bi-weekly treatments is recommended. As the condition responds and stabilizes, sessions are gradually reduced to monthly, and ultimately to seasonal maintenance visits.

Beginning June 17, 2026, I will be transitioning full-time from Kwan Yin Healing Arts Center to my private practice located at:

811 NW 20th Ave, Suite 206, Portland, OR 97209
Phone: (206)930-1168

Patients may schedule appointments online through JaneApp at:
https://rootspiritacupuncture.janeapp.com/