Frequently Asked Questions About Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at Makari Wellness

Whether you are brand new to acupuncture or have been curious about adding Chinese medicine to your health care routine, you probably have questions. Below you will find honest, straightforward answers to the questions our patients ask most often at our Oceanside and San Diego locations. If you do not see your question here, please reach out — we are always happy to talk before your first visit.

General Questions

What exactly is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a core branch of Classical Chinese Medicine that uses the precise placement of fine, sterile needles at specific points on the body to influence the flow of qi — the body’s vital energy — through a network of channels called meridians. When qi flows smoothly and the body’s systems are in balance, health is the natural result. When that flow is blocked, deficient, or excessive, symptoms arise. Acupuncture works to restore that balance gently and systematically.

At Makari Wellness, we practice from a classical foundation and integrate specialized systems when appropriate. For patients with eye conditions, for example, we offer Micro Acupuncture 48 (MA48), a 48-point microsystem developed by Dr. Andy Rosenfarb that maps the entire body onto the hands and feet to address conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, and diabetic retinopathy.

Does acupuncture hurt?

This is the question we hear most often, and the honest answer is: not the way most people expect. Acupuncture needles are hair-thin — nothing like a hypodermic needle used for injections. Most patients feel a brief moment of mild pressure or a dull, achy, or tingling sensation as the needle connects with the acupuncture point. That sensation, called de qi, is a sign that the point is activated. Many patients find the experience deeply relaxing and fall asleep on the table.

What conditions can acupuncture and Chinese medicine address?

Chinese medicine is a complete medical system, not a specialty for a single condition. Our practitioners work with a wide range of presentations, including:

• Musculoskeletal pain — neck, back, shoulder, knee, sciatica, and sports injuries
• Headaches and migraines
• Digestive complaints — IBS, bloating, reflux, nausea
• Hormonal and reproductive health — menstrual irregularity, fertility support, perimenopause
• Anxiety, stress, depression, and sleep disturbances
• Fatigue and immune support
• Neurological conditions including stroke recovery, tinnitus, and cognitive concerns
• Ophthalmic conditions including dry eye, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, and diabetic retinopathy

We do not claim to cure or diagnose disease, and Chinese medicine works best as part of a collaborative approach alongside your primary care team. What we offer is a thorough assessment of your pattern — the constellation of symptoms that is uniquely yours — and a treatment plan designed around that pattern.

Treatment and Planning Questions

How many treatments will I need?

This depends on how long the condition has been present, its severity, and how your body responds. As a general guideline, acute or recent conditions often show meaningful improvement in four to six sessions. Chronic conditions that have been present for months or years typically require a longer course of care.

For patients pursuing ophthalmic acupuncture, we follow a structured, phase-based model:

• Recharge and Recover — an intensive opening phase, typically one to four weeks, focused on awakening dormant nerve and retinal cells
• Repair and Regenerate — one or more treatment rounds over the first year, targeting measurable functional recovery
• Maintenance and Preservation — long-term care, typically one to two intensive rounds per year or twice-monthly local sessions, to stabilize vision and prevent further decline

At your initial consultation we will be direct with you about what a realistic plan looks like for your specific situation. We do not believe in open-ended, indefinite treatment without clear goals.

What happens at my first visit?

Your first appointment is an intake and initial treatment. Your practitioner will spend significant time asking detailed questions — not just about your chief complaint, but about your sleep, digestion, energy, temperature preferences, emotional state, and medical history. We will observe your tongue and take your pulse at both wrists, reading qualities that give us a picture of your internal pattern that lab work often cannot.

From that information, your practitioner will explain what pattern they are seeing, what the treatment strategy will be, and what you can reasonably expect. Then, if you are ready, we proceed with the first acupuncture treatment. Most patients leave their first visit feeling noticeably calmer and more settled than when they walked in.

Do I need to prepare anything before my appointment?

A few simple things help your treatment go smoothly:

• Eat a light meal two to three hours before — not on a completely empty stomach, but not overly full either
• Wear or bring loose, comfortable clothing that allows access to your arms and legs
• Avoid caffeine immediately before if you tend toward anxiety or tension
• Bring a list of any current medications and supplements
• For eye condition consultations, bring any recent imaging reports, field-of-vision tests, or retinal photographs your ophthalmologist has provided

Fee and Scheduling Questions

What are your fees?

Our fee schedule reflects the depth of care and the time your practitioner invests in each session. Initial consultations, which include a full intake and first treatment, are priced accordingly. Follow-up treatment sessions are billed at a standard rate. For patients pursuing multi-round ophthalmic acupuncture programs, we offer prepaid package options that provide meaningful savings compared to pay-as-you-go pricing — packages for two, three, or four treatment rounds are available and are designed to support the phased approach that produces the best long-term outcomes.

Current fees and package pricing are provided at your consultation or upon request by phone or email. We believe in transparent pricing and are happy to walk you through what a realistic investment looks like before you commit to anything.

Do you accept insurance?

We do not accept insurance or personal injury (PI) cases. Makari Wellness is a time-of-service clinic — payment is collected at the time of your visit. The level of care we provide, the length of our treatments, and the combination of modalities we use go well beyond the basic needling services that standard insurance plans typically reimburse, which makes direct insurance billing impractical for the care we deliver.

If you would like to seek reimbursement from your insurance plan, you may request a superbill at the time of your treatment. We can provide the superbill the following day — it includes the diagnosis and procedure codes your insurer needs to process your claim. Whether your plan reimburses is between you and your carrier; we cannot guarantee coverage.

We do offer package discounts for patients committing to a treatment plan, which can meaningfully reduce the per-visit investment.

Can I use my HSA or FSA?

Yes — acupuncture is a qualified medical expense under most Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) plans. We accept HSA and FSA cards directly at time of service.

Do you offer herbal medicine in addition to acupuncture?

Yes. Classical herbal medicine is a central pillar of Chinese medicine and in many cases extends the benefit of acupuncture treatment significantly. Your practitioner will discuss whether herbal formulas are appropriate for your pattern and, if so, what form — granule concentrates, capsules, or prepared formulas — fits your lifestyle and treatment goals.

A Note on Expectations

Chinese medicine works by supporting the body’s own capacity for regulation and recovery. Results build progressively — the first treatments often produce subtle but real shifts in sleep, energy, or pain levels, and these deepen over subsequent sessions. We ask our patients to bring patience and consistency to the process. The body did not arrive at its current state overnight, and meaningful change takes time and commitment on both sides.

Our team at Makari Wellness serves patients across Oceanside and the greater San Diego area and we consider it a privilege to be part of your health care. If you are ready to take the next step, we encourage you to Schedule Your Initial Visit so we can listen to your full story and help you understand what Chinese medicine can realistically offer you.