FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Everything you want to know
before your first visit.
Acupuncture can feel unfamiliar if you've never tried it — and that's completely okay. These are the questions Emily hears most often. If yours isn't here, reach out directly.
ABOUT ACUPUNCTURE & CHINESE MEDICINE
What is Five Element Acupuncture — and why do you practice it?
Five Element Acupuncture is a constitutionally based style of Chinese Medicine that works to find and treat the root cause of illness, not just manage symptoms. It views health through the lens of five fundamental elements — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water — each associated with specific organs, emotions, seasons, and energetic qualities.
Rather than applying a protocol to a diagnosis, Five Element practice asks: what element(s) are out of balance in this particular person that's creating these symptoms? That question leads to deeply individualized treatment — and often to shifts that go well beyond what the patient originally came in for.
Why Dr. Emily practices it: "I have both experienced and witnessed the profound results this style of acupuncture can produce. It treats the whole person — body, mind, and spirit — and that's the kind of medicine I want to offer."
How does acupuncture actually work?
Acupuncture works by activating specific points along the body's meridian pathways — channels through which qi, or vital energy, flows. When these points are needled, they send a small electrical signal via the connective tissue and fascia deep into the body, triggering your nervous system's own regulatory and healing responses.
Many acupuncture point names include the word "gate" — a useful metaphor for what they do. When a gate is opened, something moves. In this case: circulation, nervous system regulation, and the body's innate homeostatic capacity to restore balance.
Will it hurt?
No — acupuncture should not be painful. The needles used are extremely fine, and most patients are surprised by how little they feel upon insertion.
Physical sensations are a different matter, and they're a good sign. Patients often describe a dull ache, a warmth, a gentle release, or a subtle surge of energy — indications that the body is responding in real time. Acupuncture is also well known for its calming, grounding effect on the nervous system.
Emily practices a minimal needling style — using a small number of precisely chosen points to give the body a clear, direct signal. She stays present throughout your entire treatment and will always adjust based on your comfort.
Can acupuncture work alongside my existing therapy or medication?
Yes — and this is one of the most important things to understand about this practice. Acupuncture is not a replacement for conventional care. For many patients, it works best as a complement to it.
If you're currently working with a therapist, psychiatrist, GP, or any other provider, you are absolutely welcome here. Emily's approach is collaborative, not competitive — the goal is to support your whole-person health, not to redirect you away from care that's already helping.
If you're on medication or in active treatment of any kind, please mention it during your intake — it helps Dr. Emily tailor your treatment plan accordingly.
YOUR FIRST VISIT
What happens during my first appointment?
Your first visit is longer than follow-up sessions — typically 1hr 45 minutes — and it's as much a conversation as it is a treatment. Dr. Emily will take a thorough intake covering your health history, current concerns, lifestyle, and goals. This is where she begins to understand not just your symptoms, but the patterns beneath them.
From there, she'll develop an initial treatment plan and you'll receive your first acupuncture treatment. Most patients leave their first session feeling noticeably calmer and more grounded — though everyone's experience is different.
Come as you are. You don't need to know anything about acupuncture or have your health story perfectly organized. Just show up, and Emily will guide the rest.
How should I prepare for my appointment?
BEFORE YOUR VISIT
Eat something within 2 hours of your appointment
Avoid caffeine on the day of your treatment
Wear or bring loose-fitting clothing — arms, legs, abdomen, and back should be easily accessible
Please skip perfume or fragrance
PRACTICAL DETAILS
AFTER YOUR VISIT
Keep the rest of your day gentle — rest supports the treatment taking full effect
Avoid alcohol for 24 hours after treatment
Notice how you feel — changes can be subtle at first, and your observations help shape future treatments
How many treatments will I need?
Because this medicine treats the individual rather than a protocol, the answer is different for each person. That said, there's a general arc most patients follow.
It's not uncommon to notice some relief within the first few sessions — but acupuncture works best in a cumulative, compounding way. Dr. Emily typically sees new patients weekly for the first 5–8 treatments. Once things are moving in a reliable direction, sessions are spaced further apart.
For reproductive health, expect at least 3 cycles for noticeable changes, though each case is different.
The long-term goal is to get you to a place where acupuncture becomes a form of maintenance and prevention — something you return to seasonally (about 5 times per year) and as needed, rather than something you need frequently.
Where is the practice located, and how do I get in?
Perennial Health Acupuncture is located at 2066 NW Irving St, Portland OR 97209 — in the NW Nob Hill neighborhood, within Linnea Hall, a renovated historic landmark building.
You'll receive a door code on the day of your appointment. Once inside, walk up the short flight of stairs and enter Three Treasures Natural Medicine. Make yourself comfortable in the waiting area — Dr. Emily will come to greet you at your appointment time.
Street parking is available nearby. Please allow a few extra minutes to find a spot before your appointment starts. Please note the building is not currently ADA accessible.
Do you accept insurance?
Perennial Health Acupuncture does not currently accept insurance. All appointments are self-pay. Upon request, a superbill can be provided for potential out-of-network reimbursement.
HSA funds are accepted, and a limited number of sliding scale slots are reserved each month for those in need.
Why no insurance?
Dr. Emily sees one patient at a time — unlike the typical model of 2–4 patients per hour. Insurance reimbursement structures require patient volume that would undermine the quality and presence that define this practice. Choosing to remain self-pay is a choice to protect your experience, not limit it.
What are my payment options?
Cash, check, credit card, and HSA card are all accepted. A small number of sliding scale spots are available for those in need — please reach out directly to discuss.
Still have questions?
If something isn't answered here, Dr. Emily is happy to connect before you book. There's no pressure — just a conversation.
get in touch
Ready to find out if this is the right fit?
Your first visit is a conversation as much as it is a treatment. Come with your questions, your history, and whatever you've been carrying — we'll take it from there.