Acupuncture in Newport Beach, CA
At Rapha Acupuncture, we provide individualized acupuncture care near Fashion Island in Newport Beach. People come to us for help managing pain, headaches, muscle tension, stress-related symptoms, and other health concerns. We begin by listening to what has changed, what affects your symptoms, and what you want to be able to do more comfortably.
Acupuncture can be used alongside conventional medical care, physical therapy and healthy lifestyle changes. It is not a substitute for urgent evaluation, diagnosis or treatment when those are needed, and no treatment can promise the same result for every person.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is one of the main therapies used in traditional Chinese medicine. A licensed practitioner inserts very thin needles at selected points on the body. The needles may be gently adjusted by hand and, when appropriate, may be paired with other techniques. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates acupuncture needles as medical devices and requires them to be sterile and labeled for single use.
Acupuncture has been practiced in some form for at least 2,500 years and is now used throughout the world. In the United States, use among adults increased from 1.0% in 2002 to 2.2% in 2022, according to the National Health Interview Survey. Pain is the most common reason Americans seek acupuncture.
In the traditional Chinese medicine framework, acupuncture points are organized along pathways called meridians. Practitioners describe Qi and blood as moving through these pathways and use patterns of symptoms, pulse qualities, and tongue appearance to guide point selection. Qi and meridians are part of the traditional clinical model; they should not be presented as established anatomical structures.
From a modern research perspective, acupuncture's effects are not fully understood. Studies suggest that needling may influence nervous-system activity, local connective tissue and the body's own pain-modulating processes. The setting, expectations and practitioner-patient relationship can also contribute to the overall response.
At Rapha Acupuncture, your treatment plan is based on your current symptoms, medical history, medications, daily habits and physical findings. We may also use traditional pulse and tongue assessment. The goal is to choose a practical set of points and follow measurable changes in symptoms and function over time.
What can acupuncture help with?
Acupuncture has been studied most extensively for pain. Research summarized by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health suggests that it may help some people with back or neck pain, knee pain associated with osteoarthritis, headaches or migraines, and certain postoperative pain. Evidence also suggests possible symptom relief for seasonal allergic rhinitis and nausea or vomiting related to cancer treatment.
The strength of evidence is not the same for every condition. For some concerns, studies are mixed or too limited to support a firm conclusion. Acupuncture should be described as a treatment that may help manage symptoms or function, not as a cure for infertility, hormonal disorders, immune disease, anxiety, depression or other medical conditions.
-
Back, neck and musculoskeletal pain
-
Knee osteoarthritis pain and stiffness
-
Headache and migraine frequency or intensity
-
Muscle tension and some myofascial pain
-
Selected treatment-related symptoms, when coordinated with the patient's medical team
-
Relaxation and coping with stress as part of a broader care plan
What happens at your first acupuncture visit?
Before Appointment
Please eat a light meal within a few hours of your visit. Avoid arriving on an empty stomach or immediately after a very large meal. Wear loose, comfortable clothing because the practitioner may need access to your arms, legs, abdomen or back. A gown can be provided when needed.
Please bring a current medication and supplement list, relevant imaging or test results, and the names of the clinicians involved in your care. We also ask patients to avoid perfume and strongly scented products because some people in the clinic are sensitive to fragrance.
Consultation and assessment
The current first-visit format includes an initial consultation followed by acupuncture when treatment is appropriate and you choose to proceed. During the consultation, we review your main health concerns and chief complaints, health history, current symptoms, sleep, energy, digestion, physical activity, diet and lifestyle.
The assessment may include traditional pulse and tongue observation. For physical pain, sports injuries or mobility concerns, the practitioner may also check posture, range of motion, tenderness or appropriate orthopedic findings. We then explain the working assessment, proposed treatment, alternatives, expected schedule and fees before beginning.
During the treatment
You will lie comfortably face-up, face-down, or on your side, depending on the selected points. The number and location of needles vary; points may be close to the symptomatic area or elsewhere on the body. The practitioner cleans the skin with alcohol swabs and inserts sterile, fine, single-use needles.
Needles commonly remain in place while you rest for about 20 minutes. Normal sensations include but are not limited to numbness, warmth, distention, or radiating feelings. Many people find this quiet period relaxing and fall asleep. Slow breathing meditation is encouraged to help you settle comfortably. Tell the practitioner immediately if you feel sharp pain, burning, dizziness, nausea, or any other discomfort so the treatment can be adjusted.
After the treatment
After the needles are removed, we check how you feel and may discuss activity, self-care, diet or other recommendations that fit your situation. Some people feel relaxed; others feel alert or energized. Follow-up visits are generally shorter than the first appointment, although timing depends on the services provided.
If you feel lightheaded or unusually sleepy, rest in the clinic until you feel ready to leave. Avoid strenuous activity afterward if you do not feel fully steady. A normal meal, water and a gentle short walk are usually reasonable after 1 hour unless your practitioner gives you different instructions.
What results can you expect?
Responses vary. Some people notice relaxation, easier movement or a change in pain shortly after a session. Others need several visits before a useful pattern becomes clear, and some do not improve. Results depend on the condition, how long it has been present, its severity, other treatments and individual response.
Before treatment begins, we discuss what improvement would look like for you. That may include a lower pain score, less frequent pain, a better range of motion, improved sleep or greater ability to complete daily activities. We reassess those goals during a planned trial of care. If there is no meaningful progress, the plan should be reconsidered rather than continued indefinitely.
Some benefits may last beyond the treatment period, particularly for certain chronic pain conditions, but lasting results cannot be guaranteed. Maintenance visits may be reasonable for some patients after improvement; they are not automatically necessary for everyone.
Do acupuncture needles hurt?
Most people associate needles with pain. However, acupuncture needles are solid, about the thickness of a human hair, and much thinner than the hollow needles used for injections or blood draws. The sterilized, individually packed, disposable needles are superficially inserted and are placed distal or local to the problem area. After insertion, the practitioner will bring the needles to the appropriate depth.
People experience acupuncture differently. Insertion often causes little discomfort, although you may feel a quick pinch. Once a needle is in place, a dull ache, heaviness, warmth, tingling, or a brief traveling sensation can occur, or no feeling at all, which is considered energy flow and will subside soon. These sensations should remain tolerable. Persistent sharp pain is not something you need to endure. Should you experience any discomfort, please inform the practitioner, and s/he will adjust or remove the needles accordingly.
How many acupuncture treatments will you need?
True healing takes time and effort. Each person’s body is unique, and we all respond to the same type of treatment at various paces. So there is no reliable one-size-fits-all number. An acute problem may require fewer visits, while a longstanding or complex condition may need a longer trial.
Depends upon the duration of the presence, severity, and nature of the chief complaints, practitioners at Rapha Acupuncture recommend an initial schedule, estimate the total number of treatments a patient will need, and explain when progress will be reviewed. The patient should know what is being measured and why continued treatment is being recommended.
One or two appointments per week is a common starting schedule, but frequency should reflect the condition, safety considerations, response and practical needs. A general rule of thumb for a majority of chronic or internal disorders, four to six weeks’ treatments (12 to 18 sessions) are recommended. Some degenerative conditions may require 40 treatments or more. Patients often experience prompt relief after treatment, however, they may need care every other week or once per month for several months to sustain the improvement.
If the expected changes are not occurring, we discuss whether to modify the plan, pause care or refer you for another evaluation. However, the patient has the right to expect that their major health concerns will be addressed and treated in a direct and timely manner.
Side effects and safety concerns
The National Institute of Health considers acupuncture is generally safe with no side effects when performed by a qualified practitioner using sterile, individually packaged, disposable needles and adjusting treatment to the patient’s health history. Common side effects are temporary soreness, minor bleeding or bruising at a needle site. Some people briefly feel tired, lightheaded or deeply relaxed immediately after treatment. These feelings will disappear within a short time and can be alleviated by rest.
A temporary change in symptoms can happen during the first 24-48 hours after treatment, but occasion worsening does not indicate that acupuncture treament is working. Contact the clinic if symptoms are severe, unusual or persistent. Seek urgent medical care for chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, new weakness, severe headache, signs of infection or another emergency symptom.
Serious complications are rare, but are possible, especially when acupuncture is performed improperly. Reported risks include infection, injury to an organ and injury to the nervous system. Tell us before treatment if you are pregnant or may be pregnant; have a bleeding disorder or take blood-thinning medication; have a pacemaker or implanted electrical device, especially if electroacupuncture is being considered; have a weakened immune system, active skin infection or open wound; or have a history of fainting during needle procedures.
“The benefit of acupuncture is clear, and the complications and potential adverse effects of acupuncture are low compared with medication.”
- Dr. Lucy Chen
A board-certified anesthesiologist, specialist in pain medicine at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital
Cost and payment
Acupuncture coverage varies by insurance company, plan, diagnosis, provider network, and authorization requirements. Some plans cover acupuncture only for selected conditions or limit the number of visits. Consult your insurer for the terms of coverage in your policy, or ask our office what information is needed to check your benefits. Verification is not a guarantee that a claim will be paid.
Rapha Acupuncture works with eligible insurance plans and authorized cases, including certain workers' compensation or personal-injury referrals. Self-pay options are also available. Detailed pricing for single or multiple recommended visits will be reviewed with you before treatment. Cash, credit cards, and checks are accepted. We also take payment via Zelle, Venmo, and Paypal.
Personalized acupuncture near Fashion Island in Newport Beach
Our approach brings together a detailed conversation, traditional Chinese medicine assessment, and relevant physical examination. Treatment is adjusted to the person in front of us rather than copied from a standard point list.
Rapha Acupuncture has served Orange County since 2017 and practises in Newport Beach near Fashion Island. We welcome patients from Corona del Mar, Newport Coast, Balboa Island, Eastbluff, Newport Heights, Irvine, Laguna Beach, and nearby Orange County communities.
📍 Rapha Acupuncture
363 San Miguel Drive, Suite 101
Newport Beach, CA 92660
☎️ Call: (949) 767-0774
📱 Text: (949) 696-6964
Frequently asked questions
Research and Medical Resources
-
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Acupuncture: Effectiveness and Safety.
-
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. National Health Interview Survey 2022.
-
American College of Physicians. Evidence-based guideline for nonradicular low-back pain.
-
Mayo Clinic. Acupuncture: Risks, preparation, procedure and results.
-
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Acupuncture needle product classification, 21 CFR 880.5580.
This page is for general education and does not replace an individual medical assessment from a qualified healthcare professional.
Acupuncture results vary.
Seek prompt medical care for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms.