Real questions from patients — answered by Dr. Kim
Does it hurt? How many visits? Will insurance cover it? Everything people ask before a first appointment, answered plainly and without a sales pitch.
Start here
The four questions we hear most.
If you only read one thing on this page, read these.
Does it hurt?
Needles are hair-thin — most patients feel little to nothing, and many fall asleep during treatment.
Read the full answer →How many visits?
Most people notice change in 3–6 sessions. You get an estimate up front, not visit by visit.
Read the full answer →What's a first visit like?
A real conversation and an exam before any needles — then a plan built around your goal.
Read the full answer →Is it covered?
Many plans now include acupuncture, and HSA/FSA funds apply. We give you clear pricing first.
Read the full answer →Getting started
What it feels like, what happens first, and how long it takes.
What can I expect at my appointment?
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Dr. Kim will talk with you about all your health concerns. During this time, make sure to give her as much detail and insight as to what you are experiencing, even things that might not seem connected to the issue that brought you into her office. After the conversation, your treatment will begin. The treatment will vary depending on the decided treatment plan.
How many treatments do I need?
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The number of treatments will vary from person to person. Dr. Kim will talk with you about your desired outcome. Once a treatment plan has been carefully designed, she will be able to give you an approximate idea as to the number of treatments you will need.
How does my acupuncturist know I'm out of balance?
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At every visit, your practitioner will ask questions and make observations. This information is used to identify the nature of one or multiple co-existing patterns.
What do I need to know about choosing an Oriental Medicine Physician?
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Your Doctor of Oriental Medicine should be nationally certified as well as licensed by the state within which they practice Traditional Chinese Medicine. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Your comfort should be your doctor's priority.
Services & methods
What we actually do in the treatment room, and why.
What services do you offer?
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We offer a complete menu of services that can be used as individual treatments, or pair well together in helping you attain your optimal health benefits.
- Traditional Chinese Acupuncture (TCM)
- ATP Resonance BioTherapy™
- SAAT Treatments
- Dry Needling
- Life Fertility BioTherapy®
- O3 ReBoot Therapy®
- O3 Regenerative Therapy®
- Electroacupuncture
- Acupuncture Point Injection Therapy
- Immune Boost
- Battlefield Acupuncture
- Scalp Acupuncture
- Auricular Acupuncture
- Cupping
- Gua Sha
- Tui Na
- Herbal Medicine
- Homeopathic Medicine
- Dietary Supplements
What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?
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The time-honored practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been cultivated through 5,000 years of continuous application. This ancient art offers alternative solutions to many of today's health concerns. Treatments are structured to not only alleviate the current symptoms, but to also focus on the root of the imbalance, thereby reducing the potential of symptom reoccurrence.
Conditions & results
What patients most often come in for — and what the research supports.
Can acupuncture help with my stress and anxiety?
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Most definitely. While stress and anxiety activate the body's fight or flight response mechanism, acupuncture works to stimulate the opposing rest and digest, or parasympathetic system. In this way, an anxious mind is quieted.
Does acupuncture help with moodiness?
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It certainly does. Acupuncture activates the production of both serotonin and dopamine, our brain's "happy chemicals". It also stimulates the production of our body's own naturally occurring opioids, which not only regulate pain, but are also partially responsible for managing our emotional response. In this way, acupuncture can help to balance mood.
Can acupuncture help me quit smoking?
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Yes! Acupuncture can help in conjunction with conventional methods to stop smoking as well as a stand-alone treatment. Acupuncture is beneficial in reducing cravings and inducing relaxation.
How can acupuncture help with labor and delivery?
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Studies have shown that women who had acupuncture during labor and delivery had less pain than those who did not, making acupuncture an effective alternative to epidurals. Unlike epidurals that tend to prolong labor and potentially increase the need for assistance, acupuncture during labor does not have any effect on the duration of the labor stage. Women who receive acupuncture during labor and delivery also report significantly higher levels of relaxation and are much less likely to experience anxiety as delivery draws near.
Maternity & fertility
Trying to conceive, pregnancy, labor, and the months after.
Are risks involved?
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Acupuncture during pregnancy is considered safe with few risks. These risks are minimized when treatments are facilitated by a trained, licensed acupuncture physician who exercises appropriate point selection and proper technique.
Can you treat male and female infertility?
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Acupuncture for both male and female infertility is a commonly recognized alternative treatment for couples trying to get pregnant. Pairing regular acupuncture treatments with dietary supplements has been shown to increase fertility. Many fertility clinics recommend acupuncture treatments in conjunction with conventional treatments such as IVF and IUI.
How does acupuncture help during pregnancy?
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During the nine months of pregnancy, there is so much going on inside the mother's body that the mother's qi (energy) is easily disrupted. This looks like morning sickness, nausea, and heartburn. Later in the pregnancy, the growing fetus can cause low back and pelvic pain, as well as fluid retention. Regular acupuncture treatments are effective in relieving these symptoms as well.
Can acupuncture help during labor and delivery?
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During labor, acupuncture can be used for pain relief, as a calming technique, and to keep labor contractions going if labor becomes slowed or stalled. Acupuncture may also shorten the duration of labor, as it helps the mother's mind and body to energetically balance.
How can acupuncture help after the baby is born?
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One of the greatest difficulties many new mothers face is post-partum depression. Acupuncture not only increases levels of serotonin and dopamine, but may also help to restore a neuroprotective protein that is depleted in those suffering from depression. Acupuncture has also been shown to increase milk production for women seeking lactation support.
Ready to feel better — naturally?
Book a free 15-minute consultation with Dr. Kim Windschauer, AP. We'll listen to what's going on and tell you honestly whether acupuncture can help.