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 sense that something is simply not right.
In our modern lives, the source of physical, mental, and spiritual distress often lies within us — in how we carry our experiences, our emotions, and our energy — rather than in external circumstances alone. Five Element Acupuncture works at that deeper level, restoring balance and returning us to the health and vitality that is our natural state.
Health, in this tradition, is not just the absence of disease. It is the ability to live fully — with energy, clarity, and a genuine connection to your own life. Treatment looks at the whole person to find the root of imbalance and address it from there.
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 two 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, 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 look at the whole person — not just the presenting complaint. We will talk, I will listen, and you will receive a treatment. After your first session, it is a good idea to keep the rest of your day quiet and unscheduled.
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 for a few minutes.
Some treatments also include moxibustion — the burning of a herb called moxa directly on or near 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.
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.
DO YOU TAKE INSURANCE?
I am currently in-network with the following:
Aetna
Moda
Pacific Source
United Health Care
Regence BCBS