JSLALALAND

THE HEALING FREQUENCY

The LA acupuncture map | Covered by national insurance in Taiwan, wellness in LA?

In Taiwan, Chinese medicine means taking your insurance card to the clinic down the lane; in LA, acupuncture starts at $200 a session and you book online. Not a ranking: a Taiwanese take on how LA has embraced Eastern medicine. The clinics I've been to, what an L.Ac. is, and how to ask about insurance.

Translated from Jasmine’s original Chinese. The illustrated slides are on the interactive reader.

Key points

Full text

  1. Why LA fell for Eastern medicine

    At the 2016 Rio Olympics, the cupping marks on Phelps's shoulders were many Americans' first look at cupping. Now gua sha, acupuncture and 24K gold ear seeds are all on spa and recovery-club menus.

  2. The Chinese medicine slang translator

    An L.Ac. is a California-licensed acupuncturist; cupping, gliding cupping, gua sha, moxa (moxibustion), ear seeds. Grandma says it in Taiwanese, the LA menu says it in English, and it's the same thing.

  3. What an L.Ac. is

    The California Acupuncture Board issues the license: at least 3,000 hours at an approved school, then California's own exam, the CALE (offered in English, Chinese and Korean); out-of-state licenses don't count. Before your first visit, you can look up the license on the board's site.

  4. Felice Acupuncture | Needles, then a cold plunge

    I've been. The acupuncturist is Felice Chan, L.Ac., and besides acupuncture, cupping, tui na and gua sha, the menu has contrast therapy: a Chinese medicine clinic and a recovery club in one, very LA.

  5. Centered Wellness Acupuncture | Needles, Reiki and sound

    I've been. In Old Pasadena, licensed acupuncturist Christina Ledoux also practices Reiki; acupuncture can be paired with cupping or sound therapy, she does cosmetic acupuncture too, and you book on the Jane app.

  6. Vie Healing | Turning ear seeds into an everyday accessory

    I've been. Founder Mona Dan is a licensed acupuncturist, and the stars of the site now are the 24K gold ear seeds ($44) and rose quartz and bian stone gua sha tools; she also teaches courses for other healers.

  7. TCM school | Yo San's community clinic

    Yo San University has a community acupuncture clinic on campus; ask about prices and hours before you go.

  8. Will insurance cover it?

    Medicare only covers chronic low back pain, and doesn't pay L.Ac.s directly; private insurance depends on the plan. Call and ask three things: is acupuncture covered, is this L.Ac. in-network, and how many visits a year.

  9. Herbal shops

    Have herbs prescribed by a licensed practitioner who's seen you; don't self-prescribe off the internet; and always mention if you're on Western meds, pregnant or breastfeeding. In Taipei, grandma takes you to the herbal shop; in LA, you go when you're homesick.

  10. Your first acupuncture in LA

    Check the license first, and ask whether cupping and tui na cost extra; wear loose clothes, and be upfront about any meds, pregnancy or fear of needles. Cupping marks last a few days, so think twice if you're wearing a backless top tomorrow >_<

  11. Honest reminder

    This is my experience and cultural observation, not medical advice; the research on acupuncture, cupping and herbs still has a lot of uncertainty. Find a licensed L.Ac., and don't let it replace the doctor you should see. 'Tradition is beautiful, but you only get one body.'

  12. Two-city mirror

    In Taipei, you see a Chinese medicine doctor on your national health card, with copays from NT$50; in LA, one acupuncture session is $200–300, and afterward you can hop in a cold plunge. 'Same needle: in Taipei it's national insurance, in LA it's wellness.'

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An original JSLALALAND field guide by Jasmine Chang (@jslalaland).