Acupuncture FAQ

Acupuncture needles are about the width of a human hair — 10–20x thinner than a hypodermic needle. Most people feel little to no pain during insertion. Sensations vary from nothing at all to a mild, pleasant ache, tingling, or warmth around the needle. This sensation — called De Qi in Chinese medicine — is actually a sign the treatment is working. Many patients fall asleep during treatment.

Your first visit with Janice is 90 minutes. It begins with a thorough intake — health history, current concerns, sleep, digestion, stress levels, and a Chinese medicine assessment including pulse and tongue diagnosis. This level of detail is what allows treatment to be truly personalized. The treatment itself follows, and you'll lie on a comfortable table with a heating pad. Most patients feel deeply relaxed during and for hours after their first session. See the full What to Expect guide →

New patient visits are 90 minutes — 45–60 minutes of intake and 45 minutes of treatment. Follow-up sessions are 60 minutes. Needles are typically retained for 25–35 minutes once placed. The time passes quickly; many patients use it as a forced rest in their week.

Before: Eat a light meal 1–2 hours before (not on an empty stomach). Avoid caffeine and alcohol on the day of treatment. Wear comfortable, loose clothing. After: Drink plenty of water. Avoid intense exercise, alcohol, and heavy meals for a few hours. Rest if you feel tired — this is a sign your body is processing the treatment.

It depends on your condition and how long you've had it. As a general guide: Acute issues (recent injury, acute stress, cold/flu) — often 3–6 sessions. Chronic conditions (long-term back pain, anxiety, insomnia) — typically 8–12 sessions for lasting results. Fertility and IVF — 3+ months of weekly treatment, ideally starting before your retrieval cycle. Janice gives every patient a clear, realistic timeline at the first visit.

Many patients notice improvement after their first 1–3 sessions. Pain conditions often respond quickly — some patients feel relief the same day. Chronic conditions take longer to unwind, and the improvements tend to be cumulative and lasting rather than temporary. Hormonal and fertility conditions typically require 3 months of consistent treatment because egg development takes approximately 90 days.

For most conditions, weekly sessions at the start produce the fastest and most lasting results. As you improve, sessions are typically spaced to every 2–3 weeks, then monthly for maintenance. Many patients continue monthly acupuncture indefinitely because of the overall health and wellbeing benefits beyond their original complaint.

Yes — fertility is one of the most well-researched applications of acupuncture. Studies demonstrate that acupuncture improves egg quality, regulates menstrual cycles, balances reproductive hormones, improves uterine lining, and reduces the stress that directly impairs conception. Learn more on the fertility acupuncture page →

Yes. A landmark study in the British Medical Journal found acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer significantly improved clinical pregnancy rates. A 2020 meta-analysis of 30+ randomized controlled trials confirmed improved live birth rates when acupuncture was used alongside IVF. The evidence is strongest for transfer-day acupuncture and the 3-month egg quality phase. See the full IVF acupuncture guide →

Ideally 3 months before your retrieval cycle. Egg development takes approximately 90 days, so starting during this window directly influences egg quality and hormonal environment before retrieval. That said, starting at any point — even just around transfer — provides measurable benefit. Don't let timing be a reason to delay starting.

Yes — and this is often when acupuncture is most impactful. A thorough Chinese medicine assessment can identify subtle underlying patterns that may be contributing to implantation failure or poor ovarian response, which standard lab work doesn't always capture. Many of Janice's most meaningful outcomes are with patients preparing for a subsequent cycle after one or more failures.

Yes. Acupuncture measurably reduces cortisol, activates the parasympathetic ("rest and digest") nervous system, and regulates serotonin and dopamine. Multiple clinical trials confirm acupuncture reduces anxiety symptoms — often comparable to medication, without side effects. Many patients feel calmer immediately after their first session. See the anxiety acupuncture page →

Yes — and this is one of the most strongly evidence-based applications. The American College of Physicians (ACP) recommends acupuncture as a first-line treatment for chronic low back pain. Multiple large clinical trials show significant pain reduction and improved function compared to no treatment and sham acupuncture. See the back pain acupuncture page →

Yes — when performed by a licensed acupuncturist, acupuncture is safe during pregnancy. Specific points are avoided, and protocols are adapted for each trimester. Acupuncture during pregnancy commonly helps with nausea (especially first trimester), back pain, fatigue, anxiety, and preparing the body for labor in the final weeks.

Dry needling targets specific muscle trigger points and is practiced by physical therapists and some chiropractors with brief training. Acupuncture is a complete medical system with 2,000+ years of clinical history — it addresses root cause patterns, not just local symptoms. Licensed acupuncturists (L.Ac.) complete 3–4 years of master's-level education. Janice holds a Master's degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is fully licensed by the California Acupuncture Board.

Many PPO plans cover acupuncture, especially for pain conditions. Janice is an out-of-network provider and provides a detailed superbill after each visit, which you can submit to your insurance for reimbursement. FSA and HSA accounts cover acupuncture in full — this is one of the most common ways patients pay. Call the member services number on your insurance card to ask about out-of-network acupuncture benefits before your visit.

New patient visits are $190 (90 minutes). Follow-up acupuncture sessions are $125 (60 minutes). Cosmetic acupuncture is $200. Cupping sessions are $95. Earseeds are $45 as a session or $20 as an add-on. Herbal consultations are $90. See the full pricing at jleeacupuncture.com/#services →