The questions people ask before a first visit. What happens, whether the needles hurt, and how insurance works.

Most people are pleasantly surprised. Our needles are very fine — about as thin as a strand of hair, and nothing like the needle used for a blood test — and many people barely feel them at all.

You might notice a gentle warmth or a soft, heavy feeling around the spot. That’s a normal part of treatment and it passes quickly. If anything ever feels uncomfortable, just tell us and we’ll make you comfortable straight away.

大多数人都会觉得出乎意料地轻松。我们用的针非常细——大约和一根头发差不多，和抽血用的针完全不同——很多人几乎感觉不到。

您可能会在针的周围感到一点温热，或一种柔和、沉沉的感觉。这是治疗中的正常反应，很快就会过去。如果有任何不舒服，请随时告诉我们，我们会马上调整。

Sometimes, and only where it suits what we’re treating. Electroacupuncture (电针) runs a small pulse through needles that are already in place. Most people describe a light tapping or buzzing. We set the level with you, and it should never be painful — say the word and we’ll turn it down or switch it off.

Please tell us beforehand if you have a pacemaker or another implanted electrical device, or if you’re pregnant. We’ll needle by hand instead.

有时会，只在适合所治疗的问题时才用。电针是在已经扎好的针上通以微弱的脉冲，多数人形容为轻轻的敲击或嗡嗡的震动。强度会和您一起调好，绝不应该让人感到疼痛——您说一声，我们就调低或关掉。

如果您装有心脏起搏器或其他植入式电子装置，或正在怀孕，请事先告诉我们，我们会改为手法行针。

Your first visit begins with a relaxed conversation. We’ll ask where it hurts, how long it’s been bothering you, and what you’ve tried so far. We may also ask about your sleep, digestion and stress — they can seem unrelated, but they help us understand the whole picture. As is usual in Chinese medicine, we’ll also take your pulse at both wrists and take a look at your tongue.

Once we’ve talked it through and agreed on a plan together, your treatment starts in the same visit. Allow a little extra time for this first appointment so nothing feels rushed.

第一次就诊从轻松的交谈开始。我们会问您哪里痛、困扰了多久、已经试过哪些方法。我们也可能会问到睡眠、消化和压力——看似无关，却能帮助我们了解全貌。按照中医的惯例，我们还会为您把两手的脉，并看看舌头。

谈清楚并一起商定治疗方案后，当次就会开始治疗。第一次就诊请多预留一些时间，不必匆忙。

Everyone is a little different, so it depends on what’s going on and how long you’ve had it. A recent strain may ease in a handful of visits, while pain you’ve lived with for years usually needs a longer, gentler course. Visits are often closer together at first, then spaced further apart as you start to feel better.

We’ll give you our honest sense of what to expect after your first visit, rather than guess at a number beforehand. And if things aren’t improving after a fair trial, we’ll tell you, and talk with you about what to do next.

每个人情况不同，要看具体问题和持续了多久。新近的拉伤可能几次就会缓解；多年的老毛病通常需要较长、较温和的疗程。开始时就诊间隔较密，好转后再逐渐拉开。

第一次就诊后，我们会坦诚地告诉您大概需要多少次，而不是事先随便估个数字。如果经过合理的尝试仍不见好转，我们会直接告诉您，并和您商量下一步怎么做。

We accept plans from all the major insurers — UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Blue Shield of California and Anthem Blue Cross among them — through your plan’s out-of-network acupuncture benefit. Every plan is a little different, even with the same insurer, and some limit the number of visits each year.

There’s no need to work that out yourself. Just tick the insurance box when you request an appointment, and we’ll check what your plan covers before your first visit.

我们接受各大保险公司的计划——包括 UnitedHealthcare、Aetna、Cigna、Blue Shield of California 和 Anthem Blue Cross——通过您计划中的网络外（out-of-network）针灸福利。即使是同一家保险公司，每个计划也不尽相同，有些计划每年的就诊次数有上限。

您不必自己去弄清楚。提交预约申请时勾选保险一项，我们会在您首次就诊前帮您查清计划的保障范围。

Yes. We treat injuries from work and from car accidents, and in both cases the bill usually goes to the claim rather than to you.

Work injuries. Bring your claim number and the name of your adjuster or case manager, and we’ll take care of the authorization paperwork before treatment starts.

Car accidents. If your auto policy includes medical payments cover (MedPay), we can bill it directly. If an attorney is handling your case, we can work with their office instead.

Not sure which applies to you? Text us and we’ll work it out with you.

可以。我们治疗工伤和车祸造成的伤痛，两种情况下，费用通常都由理赔支付，而不是由您支付。

工伤。请带上您的理赔号码，以及理赔员或个案经理的姓名，我们会在治疗开始前办好授权手续。

车祸。如果您的汽车保险包含医疗费用给付（MedPay），我们可以直接向保险公司收费。如果有律师在处理您的案件，我们也可以与律师事务所合作。

不确定属于哪种情况？发短信给我们，我们和您一起弄清楚。

Yes. Every needle we use is sterile, used just once and then safely thrown away — we never reuse needles. Our practitioners are licensed by the California Acupuncture Board and board-certified through the NCCAOM.

Side effects aren’t common, and they’re usually mild when they do happen — perhaps a small bruise where a needle was, or feeling a little tired or light-headed for a short while afterwards. Before we begin, please let us know if you’re pregnant, take blood thinners or have a pacemaker, so we can choose the points and techniques that are right for you.

安全。我们用的每一根针都是无菌的，只用一次就妥善丢弃——绝不重复使用。我们的医师持有加州针灸委员会执照，并通过 NCCAOM 认证。

副作用并不常见，即使出现通常也很轻微——例如针孔处有一点瘀青，或治疗后短时间内感到有些疲倦或头晕。开始前，如果您正在怀孕、服用抗凝血药或装有心脏起搏器，请告诉我们，以便选择合适的穴位和手法。

Something loose and comfortable is perfect. Many of the points we use are on the lower arms and legs, so sleeves and pant legs that roll up easily mean you won’t need to change. If we need to reach somewhere else, we have gowns ready for you.

It helps to have a light meal or snack in the couple of hours before you come in. You’ll feel steadier during treatment than if you arrive hungry.

穿宽松舒适的衣服就好。我们用的很多穴位在小臂和小腿上，袖子和裤腿容易卷起，就不用换衣服。如果需要扎其他部位，我们备有治疗袍。

来之前两小时左右吃点清淡的正餐或点心会比较好。比起空着肚子来，治疗时会感觉更稳当。

Yes, we do. 我们提供中文服务 — text us on (669) 238-1219 or send us an appointment request, and we’ll reply in Chinese or English.

有。您可以发短信到 (669) 238-1219 或提交预约申请，我们会用中文或英文回复。