Qi is one of the foundational concepts of Chinese medicine — but it is often translated too simply as “energy.” Qi describes the activity and vitality of life itself. It refers to the processes that allow the body to move, breathe, digest, circulate, adapt and respond to the world around us.

In Chinese medicine, health is understood in part through the movement and balance of Qi. When Qi is flowing freely, the body is better able to regulate itself. When its movement becomes constrained, depleted or disrupted, symptoms may arise.

Qi is not something we need to believe in. It is simply a way of understanding the dynamic processes of the body and our relationship to our environment. Acupuncture works with these patterns — helping to restore movement, regulation and balance where they have become disrupted.

Most people are surprised by how little they feel when the needles are inserted. The needles are extremely fine. You may notice a brief sensation as a needle is inserted, followed by warmth, heaviness, tingling, itching and/or a gentle, dull ache. Sometimes you may not feel the needle at all.

Once the needles are in place, many people experience a deep sense of relaxation, heaviness in the limbs and occasionally an emotional release. Some even fall asleep. Your comfort matters. We move at your pace and communicate throughout the treatment.

Yes. When performed by a properly trained and licensed practitioner using sterile, single-use needles, acupuncture is generally considered safe. Minor effects such as temporary soreness, bruising, mild bleeding or brief lightheadedness can occasionally occur. 

Your safety is of paramount importance. Be sure to let us know about relevant health conditions, medications, pregnancy, recent procedures or anything else that may affect your care.

You don't need to know anything about Acupuncture before you arrive. Your first visit begins with a conversation — not a diagnosis, not a needle, but with listening to you.

We’ll talk about what brings you in, your health history, your lifestyle and what you would like to change and have supported. I may also look at your tongue, feel the pulses on your wrists and use other traditional diagnostic methods. From there, we create a treatment together. 

You’ll never be expected to simply lie down and “trust the process.” Understanding what we are doing is part of the process.

Acupuncture can support a wide range of physical and emotional health concerns. At The CMNWLTH, I commonly work with people experiencing:

- Anxiety, stress and emotional overwhelm including PTSD and sexual trauma 

- Chronic pain and tension

- Headaches and migraines

- Digestive and Gastrointestinal imbalances

- Sleep disturbances

- Menstrual and hormonal concerns

- Fertility and reproductive challenges

- Menopause and perimenopause

- Libido and sexual health concerns

- Sports injuries and orthopedic conditions

- Thyroid and metabolic imbalances

- Gender-affirming care and transition-related support

Your symptoms are information. Our work is to understand what they may be telling us.

Yes. Digestive health is an important part of Chinese medicine and gastrointestinal symptoms are understood in relationship to the rest of the body rather than as an isolated problem. At The CMNWLTH, we work with concerns such as bloating, gas, indigestion, nausea, reflux, irregular bowel movements, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort and changes in appetite.

Treatment may include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, dietary and lifestyle guidance, or a combination of approaches. We look at the quality and timing of your symptoms, your digestion, appetite, bowel movements, energy, stress, sleep and other aspects of your health to understand the larger pattern.

The goal is not simply to quiet a digestive symptom. It is to understand what may be disrupting the body's ability to digest, transform and move — and support it in finding greater balance.

Yes. Acupuncture is a powerful way to support the nervous system when life begins to feel like too much — whether that shows up as anxiety, tension, insomnia, difficulty sleeping, digestive changes or simply feeling unlike yourself. Treatment creates a space to slow down and reconnect with your Self and your body. We don't treat stress as something that exists only in the mind. The body experiences it too.

Yes. Acupuncture is commonly used to support people living with persistent pain, including back and neck pain, headaches, migraines, joint pain and muscular tension.

Rather than focusing only on where it hurts, we look at the larger pattern — movement, circulation, nervous system regulation, injury history, stress and other factors that may be influencing your experience.

The goal is not simply to quiet the signal. It is to understand it.

Yes. Fertility is deeply connected to the health of the whole person.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be used to support menstrual health, ovulation, reproductive function, stress regulation and overall wellbeing. Our treatment approach can be incorporated alongside assisted reproductive care when appropriate. In addition, we work closely with mid-wives and doulas.

Moreover, where assisted reproductive care oftentimes focuses on conception solely, our focus extends beyond conception — supporting the health and resources of the body throughout pregnancy and toward carrying to term. So understanding and nourishing the body to have the resources to carry to term is equally as important as conceiving. 

In cases of breech presentation, acupuncture and moxibustion may be used as part of a time-sensitive treatment approach, in coordination with your OB/GYN or midwife. Needles and moxibustion are placed distally around the feet for several minutes and the process is repeated until the baby begins to shift. 

Whether you are preparing for conception, navigating fertility treatment or simply trying to better understand your cycle, we begin with where you are.

Yes. Menopause is not simply the absence of a menstrual cycle. It is a significant transition in the body — and often in one's sense of self as well.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine help support your entire system which is in transition. Symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disruption, mood changes, headaches, fatigue, weight fluctuations, digestive changes and other shifts that can accompany this transition are areas we may focus on during treatment.

The goal is not to fight the transition. It is to support your body as it moves through it.

Yes. We address uterine fibroids using acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in tandem when appropriate.

Treatment is individualized according to the size, location and symptoms associated with the fibroids, as well as the broader pattern of the body. Acupuncture may be used to support circulation, regulate pain and address symptoms such as pelvic discomfort, menstrual cramping and tension. Chinese herbal medicine can provide additional support through a longer-term treatment plan tailored to your presentation.

The intention is not simply to treat the fibroid as an isolated growth. We look at the terrain in which it developed — including circulation, menstruation, hormonal patterns, digestion, stress and other aspects of your health.

Fibroids can vary considerably from person to person, and care is coordinated with appropriate gynecological evaluation and monitoring when needed.

We always work with the body as a whole — while keeping the fibroid, and the person experiencing it, in clear view.

Yes. The CMNWLTH welcomes people across the gender spectrum. We acknowledge and honor the humanity within all people. We also acknowledge and honor the life force within all sentient beings. 

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be incorporated into a gender-affirming care plan to support the body through transition and the many physical, emotional and energetic changes that may accompany it — oftentimes experienced yet not captured on diagnostic tests.

Your identity is not something to be treated. Your wellbeing is. Our care is collaborative, respectful and grounded in where you are now.

Yes. We work with people across the gender spectrum and with a wide range of health concerns. Men commonly seek acupuncture for stress, anxiety, pain, sports injuries, digestive concerns, sleep, fertility, sexual health and overall wellbeing. Treatment is always individualized to the person in front of us.

Acupuncture does not require an internal examination, observation or physical touch of the  reproductive organs. 

If you are seeking care for menstrual, reproductive, pelvic or sexual health concerns, treatment is performed using points on distal areas of the body such as the arms, legs, back, abdomen, ears or head. An internal pelvic examination is NOT part of acupuncture treatment at The CMNWLTH.

If you have experienced sexual trauma, you are welcome to let me know — but you never have to share anything you are not comfortable sharing. Your boundaries are part of your care. We can discuss where you are comfortable being touched, what areas you would prefer to avoid, and what you would like to know before anything happens.

You are always invited to ask questions, pause treatment or change your mind. There is no expectation that you should endure discomfort in order to receive care.

Yes. Chinese herbal medicine can be used on its own or alongside acupuncture when appropriate. Rather than prescribing based solely on a diagnosis or isolated symptom, we look at the larger pattern — your constitution, diet, symptoms, health history, lifestyle and the ways these pieces interact. As a board-certified herbalist, I formulate and recommend herbal treatments with your individual presentation in mind.

Herbal formulas are available in granule, capsule or raw form based on your preference. You may schedule an herbal consultation if you are seeking herbal medicine on its own. Herbal consultations are included as part of your treatment when scheduling an acupuncture session.

Yes. Acupuncture can be safely incorporated alongside conventional medical treatment. Chinese herbal medicine can sometimes be incorporated as well, although additional considerations may apply depending on the herbs and medications involved. It is important that we know about any medications, supplements and herbs you are currently taking so that we can make informed decisions about your care.

Acupuncture does not replace necessary medical treatment, and prescribed medications should never be stopped or changed without speaking with your prescribing clinician — this includes titrating medication(s) on your own, without medical supervision.

There is no universal schedule. Some people benefit from more frequent treatments when they are first beginning care, then gradually transition to less frequent visits as their symptoms stabilize. 

Others who come in with conditions such as an acute injury or pain, chronic symptoms or an intense flu or common cold benefit from more frequent sessions, closer together which can then be spaced out after we’ve addressed the core issue(s). It truly does depend on the nature of the concern. 

Still others may come periodically for maintenance, seasonal support or when something new arises. 

Your treatment plan evolves with you.

It depends. Some people notice changes after their first few treatments. Long-standing or more complex concerns may require a longer period of consistent care.

Rather than promising a predetermined number of treatments, we pay attention to how your body responds and adjust accordingly. Typically, 3-4 sessions are recommended to really create a meaningful and lasting shift within the client.

Remember, healing has its own rhythm and is informed by our past, diet, severity and quality of life.

Wear something comfortable that allows access to the areas being treated. Loose clothing is ideal. Depending on your treatment, we may need access to your arms, legs, abdomen, back or other areas of the body. If you are coming directly from work or another part of your day, don't worry. We can work with what you have.

Yes. It is generally best to have eaten something light before treatment rather than arriving on an empty stomach. Avoid a very large meal immediately before your appointment, and stay hydrated throughout the day. If you have not eaten or are feeling lightheaded when you arrive, let me know.

No. You don't need to arrive knowing exactly what is wrong. You may simply know that you aren't sleeping well, your digestion has changed, your cycle feels different, you're carrying more tension than usual or you don't feel like yourself. Part of our work together is making sense of those signals.

The CMNWLTH is an out-of-network provider for most insurance plans. 

If your insurance plan includes out-of-network acupuncture benefits, you may be eligible for reimbursement depending on your individual plan. Our biller can happily verify your insurance policy before your first visit to confirm your acupuncture benefits, deductible, reimbursement rate and any requirements for submitting a claim. Simply email us a copy of your insurance card, your date of birth and address associated with the policy. We can typically verify your policy within 12-24 hours. 

We also accept FSA and HSA accounts. We treat these cards similar to credit cards. 

Note: We currently do not accept 1199, Medicare or Medicaid.

Preferred forms of payment include: Zelle, Venmo, Cash App and PayPal. 

We also accept credit cards which are charged an additional 4% transaction fee. 

Note: A temporary $1 pre-authorization will be applied to cards saved on file when scheduling your appointment. This ensures the card is still valid and can be used if a cancellation fee applies. This $1 charge is only temporary.

If you have questions about payment or insurance reimbursement, please reach out before your appointment.

We have a 24-hour cancellation policy. 

Appointments cancelled or rescheduled with less than 24 hours’ notice are subject to the full session fee. Clients receive a confirmation email upon scheduling. Two reminder emails are also sent ahead of your scheduled treatment. 

Your appointment time is reserved specifically for you. We also take time to prepare for your unique appointment. We understand that life happens. When possible, please provide as much notice as you can so that the time may be offered to someone else.

Everyone responds differently. You may feel relaxed, energized, tired, lighter or more grounded. You may notice an immediate shift or the effects may continue to unfold over the following hours or days. There is no single “right” response. However, most clients report feeling a shift within 12 hours if not immediately after. 

Pay attention to what changes, especially the next morning. Many symptoms resolve subtly. Others are felt immediately. Just know that the body is always communicating.

A treatment plan may be emailed to you if your symptoms require several follow up sessions. This is usually emailed within 24 hours of your treatment. 

Moxabustion is a traditional Chinese medicine therapy that uses the gentle warmth of burning moxa — a preparation made from the mugwort plant — near specific acupuncture points.

Heat is used to warm and stimulate the body and, within Chinese medicine, to support the movement of Qi and Blood. Moxabustion may be incorporated into treatment for concerns such as menstrual discomfort, digestive weakness, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, breach pregnancies and patterns associated with cold or poor circulation. The experience is typically warming, grounding and deeply relaxing.

Moxabustion is not appropriate for everyone nor for every injury or condition. Your treatment will be adapted to your individual presentation, sensitivity to heat and health history.

Moxabustion is generally well tolerated when performed appropriately, but because it involves heat, there is a risk of skin irritation or burns.

You may experience temporary redness, warmth or mild sensitivity at the treatment site. The smoke produced by burning moxa can also be irritating for people who are sensitive to smoke or have certain respiratory conditions.

Your comfort and safety come first. We will adjust or discontinue moxabustion if the heat becomes uncomfortable, and alternative techniques are always available.

Cupping is a traditional Chinese medicine technique in which cups are placed on the skin to create a gentle suction effect. The suction lifts the superficial layers of tissue and may help with muscle tension, soreness, restricted movement and the feeling of heaviness or congestion in an area. It is commonly used alongside acupuncture for musculoskeletal concerns and recovery. Cupping is also used to encourage the movement of Qi and Blood through areas where circulation may feel constrained.

The sensation is generally one of firm pressure or pulling rather than pain. 

It can. More than likely it will. No need for alarm however. Cupping commonly leaves temporary circular marks on the skin that can range from light pink to deep red or purple. These marks are not bruises in the conventional sense, although they can look similar. The appearance of the marks does not indicate that a treatment was more or less effective. 

They generally fade over several days yet can last longer depending on the individual.

Note: You should let us know if you have an upcoming event, photoshoot or other reason you would prefer to avoid visible marks so that we can choose another approach.

Most people tolerate cupping well.

Temporary tenderness, redness, discoloration, itching or skin sensitivity can occur at the treatment sites. On rare occasions, cupping can cause blistering or skin irritation, particularly when stronger or prolonged suction is used and/or there is significant dampness in the body.

Cupping may not be appropriate in certain circumstances, including over broken or inflamed skin or in people with particular bleeding or clotting concerns. 

Your treatment is always adjusted to your individual health history and tolerance.

No. Acupuncture can play an important part of an integrative approach to health, but it does not replace appropriate medical evaluation or emergency care. I often recommend working with and/or consulting with another healthcare professional when another form of care would better serve you.

Healing does not have to happen in isolation.

The treatment begins before the needles are inserted.

I want to understand you — not simply the condition you have been given a name for. This work is collaborative. We explore what you are experiencing, identify patterns and create a treatment approach that responds to where you are now. 

Acupuncture is the modality. The relationship is part of the medicine.

The CMNWLTH has locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Manhattan  
19 W 45th Street  
Suite 501 — Esoterra  
New York, NY 10036
347.927.0581

Brooklyn  
201 Eastern Parkway  
WellWork Office  
Brooklyn, NY 11238
347.927.0581

Appointments are available by booking online.