Frequently Asked Questions
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Do you take credit cards?
Yes. Immortal Palace accepts Visa, MasterCard and Discover.
Do you take insurance?
No. But I can give you receipts to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. If your insurance company needs a letter from me, I can write that. Or if they require certain insurance codes, I can get those. Just let me know what your insurance company needs and I can probably accommodate you.
What do you charge?
$90 for the first treatment. $65 for follow up treatments. Cost of herbs is separate, $28 per bottle of 100 capsules. $50 for herbal consultation only. Check my rates for package deals and special offers.
Where are you located?
Immortal Palace is located in the charming Berkeley neighborhood, just 10 minutes from downtown Denver, on 38th & Tennyson. Be sure to check out the plentiful restaurants and shopping within walking distance from Immortal Palace along Tennyson Street.
What is food intolerance testing?
What kind of things do you treat?
Below is a partial list of conditions I have treated in the past. In most of these cases, patients experienced some degree of relief to total relief of symptoms. In some cases, the treatments acted preventatively to keep the conditions from getting worse. If you are seeking help for something that is not on this list, send me an email or give me a call and I will let you know if I think Chinese medicine can help you. Chinese medicine treats an impressive variety of conditions with great success.
Pain (chronic and acute)
Constipation
PMS
Anxiety
Insomnia
Sinus and lung infection
Hypothyroid
Low energy
Stress
Digestive problems
Common cold
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)
Depression Weight loss
Headache Cataracts
Tremors
Smoking cessation
Broken bones
Cough
Amenorrhea
Diarrhea
High blood pressure
Nausea and vomiting
Edema
Bronchitis
Lupus
Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Allergies
Tourette’s syndrome
Psoriasis
Atrial fibrillation
Hot flashes
Menopausal symptoms
Kidney disease
Infertility
Laryngitis
Eczema
Narcolepsy
Bulimia
Migraines
Cysts
Urinary tract infection
Low libido
Acid reflux / GERD
Erectile dysfunction
Urinary frequency
TMJ
Dizziness / vertigo
Sciatica
Cancer treatment side effects
AIDS treatment side effects
Parathyroid tumor
Palpitations
Hives
Carpal tunnel
Fibromyalgia
Sore throat
Sleep apnea
Candida
Hemorrhoids
Neuropathy
Asthma
Post partum
Earache
Tinnitus
Drop foot
Yeast infection
Post surgery
Tennis elbow
Toothache
Muscular atrophy
What are your specialties?
As a practitioner of Chinese medicine, I am especially drawn to treating issues associated with the major stages in a women's life: PMS and menstruation, fertility issues, pre and post natal care, and menopause.
How does acupuncture work?
According to Chinese medicine, disease is caused by a block or stagnation of energy or “qi” in the body. Qi can be disrupted by physical and emotional trauma, stress, lack of exercise, over-exertion, seasonal changes, poor or contaminated diet, excessive exposure to wind, damp, cold or heat. When there’s a blockage of qi, like a kink in a hose, certain points are needled on the meridian to unblock the line. When yin and yang are not balanced from prolonged qi disruption, disharmony (disease) occurs, therefore the main goal of Chinese medicine is to balance the yin and yang, to maintain balance in the body so it may repair itself. Additionally, acupuncture needling releases natural, morphine-like substances originating from within the body that increase the pain threshold and provide an analgesic effect that can be up to ten times more potent than morphine.
What is Qi?
Qi (“chee”) is the life force or energy that circulates via 14 meridians throughout the body from appendages to torso, from vital organs to all cells of the body. Qi animates the body and protects it from illness, pain and disease. Over 300 acupoints along these meridians access the qi in different ways. Some examples of qi working are hair growth, the formation of a scab over a wound, the stomach digesting food.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Sometimes it can be slightly uncomfortable at the initial insertion of the needles. It can feel like a prick, or a pinch, or a deep, achey sensation. These feelings usually go away quickly and then the overall sensation is deeply relaxing.
How big are the needles?
Unlike hollow hypodermic needles used to administer vaccinations or shots, acupuncture needles are thin and solid, flexible, and no thicker than a cat’s whisker.
How many visits will it take for it to work?
I usually tell patients to expect to see results within 4 to 6 treatments. Oftentimes, patients will feel relief after just one treatment. The relief usually continues and increases with a few consecutive treatments until the ailment is gone or the condition is under control. At that point, it is up to the patient how often they want to see me. Many patients enjoy the relaxing and de-stressing benefits of a weekly, bimonthly, or once a month appointment, much like a massage. Consistent acupuncture sessions keep the body in a state of optimal balance resulting in good health. Patients that schedule “routine maintenance” appointments report that they sleep better, digest food more smoothly, have higher energy, are able to handle stressful situations with more ease, don’t get sick as often, and have minimal to zero aches and pains. Of course, the number of visits also depends on the condition being treated. Some of the factors that will affect the duration of treatment are:
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How long the patient has been suffering from the condition.
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The severity of the condition.
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How willing the patient is to change their diet and/or lifestyle.
What is a typical session like?
Your first treatment will last 1½ to 2 hours. Follow-up appointments are about an hour long. We will talk about your lifestyle, habits, sleeping schedule, diet, energy level, medical history, and, of course, the chief complaint for which you are seeing me. It is important to wear comfortable clothing, and not to brush your tongue on the day of the appointment. As you are lying on a treatment table, I will look at your tongue and feel your pulse. I will insert needles and you will relax on the table for 25-35 minutes. Often I will use other forms of therapy in addition to needling such as cupping, moxibustion, gua sha, e-stim, among others. These will be explained to you beforehand. After the treatment, I will usually prescribe herbs, suggest dietary and sometimes lifestyle changes.
What is Five Element acupuncture and how is it different from Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Five Element acupuncture focuses on the mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of healing. Whereas, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), similar to Western medicine, focuses on healing the physical body. I believe the root of many—if not all—physical ailments are grounded in mental, emotional and spiritual imbalances. Over the next year, my practice will begin to incorporate more of the Five Element style of healing.
How long is acupuncture school?
Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine is a full time, 4 year program. We were fortunate to learn from professors who are true masters in their field and many who are directly from China. We received extensive training in a clinic and pharmacy setting, treating patients in the student clinic and prescribing herbal formulas for 2 years. Our curriculum covered, in addition to the science of Chinese medicine, a thorough foundation of western science including chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, anatomy and physiology. We prepared and studied for several months to take rigorous exit exams to graduate from the school, as well as national board exams in order to achieve licensure in Colorado. I completed the program in 3 years by taking more than a full time class load year round. I maintained a 4.0 grade point average throughout the entire program. I chose to take the additional Chinese Herb national board exam to receive my Diplomate in Oriental Medicine (as opposed to a Diplomate in Acupuncture), which includes certification in acupuncture as well as Chinese herbs.
Do you have gift certificates?
Yes! Immortal Palace gift certificates are available and beautifully designed by local artist and designer, Lisa Rundall. Lisa designs all Immortal Palace materials including this website.