Business Details
17 Years
experience
Your Partner in Holistic Health & Acupuncture Wellness
Since 2009, our practice has performed over 78,000 treatments using more than 2.1 million needles to support community wellness. We specialize in holistic healthcare that combines ancient healing techniques with modern scientific approaches. Our experienced practitioners create personalized care plans addressing physical, emotional, and mental well-being through acupuncture, herbal medicine, and complementary therapies. With locations in Seattle, Kirkland, and Arlington, we've helped thousands find relief from chronic conditions and achieve optimal health.Our team maintains extensive knowledge of both traditional and contemporary treatment methods, ensuring patients receive comprehensive care tailored to their unique needs. We prioritize patient education and collaborate closely with individuals to restore balance and promote long-term wellness. Our decade-plus experience treating complex cases has established us as trusted experts in integrative medicine solutions.
Services
Acupuncture
Cupping Therapy
Herbal Medicine
Red Light Therapy
Kinesio Taping
Ear Acupuncture
Electro Acupuncture
Details
- Year established: 2009
Highlights and features
- We've completed over 78,000 successful treatments since 2009
- Combine traditional acupuncture with advanced electro-acupuncture techniques
- Offer personalized herbal medicine prescriptions tailored to your needs
- Treat complex conditions with individualized treatment plans
- Maintain clinics in three convenient northwest locations
What people say
Treated wrist/thumb pain
Improved left side mobility
Painless effective treatment
Postpartum symptom improvement
Services
Acupuncture
Fine-needle acupuncture restores bodily balance by stimulating specific points to improve energy flow. Our licensed practitioners use sterile needles to treat pain, stress, and systemic imbalances. This ancient technique activates the body's natural healing processes while promoting relaxation and wellness. Patients often experience immediate symptom relief with cumulative benefits from ongoing sessions.
Electro Acupuncture
Electro-acupuncture enhances traditional treatments with mild electrical currents passed through needles. This advanced method improves pain management for chronic conditions like arthritis and nerve damage. The stimulation boosts endorphin production and increases blood flow to targeted areas. Sessions typically last 30-45 minutes with adjustable intensity settings for patient comfort and treatment effectiveness.
Cupping Therapy
Cupping therapy uses suction cups to increase circulation and relieve muscle tension. This therapy addresses back pain, respiratory issues, and toxin buildup by drawing out stagnation. Sessions create temporary circular marks that fade within days as blood flow improves. Patients often combine cupping with acupuncture for enhanced therapeutic effects and faster recovery times.
Herbal Medicine
Custom herbal formulations complement acupuncture treatments using time-tested plant-based remedies. Our practitioners prescribe specific combinations to regulate bodily functions and address underlying imbalances. All herbs meet strict quality standards with clear dosing instructions provided. Patients receive tailored wellness protocols that may include dietary recommendations and lifestyle modifications for comprehensive healing.
Kinesio Taping
Kinesio taping supports muscles and joints without restricting movement using specialized elastic tape. This therapy accelerates recovery from sports injuries and chronic pain conditions. The tape lifts skin microscopically to improve lymphatic drainage while providing proprioceptive feedback. Patients benefit from continuous therapeutic support between acupuncture sessions with tape applications lasting 3-5 days.
People
Young Kim
Founder & Educator
With decades of acupuncture experience, Young Kim established Essential Acupuncture to provide accessible holistic healthcare. As an educator, he trains practitioners in effective treatment methodologies combining traditional wisdom with modern applications.
Yi-Ju Lai
Acupuncturist
Yi-Ju Lai brings extensive expertise in traditional acupuncture techniques to her Kirkland and Arlington patients. She specializes in chronic pain management and personalized treatment planning using both classical and contemporary approaches.
Min Chen
Acupuncturist
Min Chen delivers expert care at our Seattle location with specialization in stress-related conditions and women's health. Her integrative approach combines acupuncture with lifestyle counseling for comprehensive wellness solutions.
Andrew Wong
Acupuncturist
Andrew Wong practices in Kirkland, focusing on neurological conditions and post-stroke rehabilitation. His treatment protocols integrate electro-acupuncture with rehabilitation exercises for maximum functional recovery.
Anna Young
Acupuncturist
Anna Young serves Arlington patients with expertise in digestive disorders and autoimmune conditions. She develops customized treatment plans incorporating multiple therapeutic modalities for lasting symptom relief.
Questions
What conditions do you treat?
We treat chronic pain, migraines, stress, digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, and over 300 other conditions using acupuncture and holistic therapies.
Do you accept insurance?
We work with major insurance providers and help verify benefits. Coverage varies by plan but many policies cover acupuncture treatments.
What happens during the first visit?
Initial visits include detailed evaluation, symptom discussion, and Acugraph analysis to create personalized treatment plans with clear outcome expectations.
How many treatments are needed?
Most patients see improvement within 6 treatments. Chronic conditions typically require 12-24 sessions spaced weekly for optimal results.
Are your practitioners qualified?
All our acupuncturists hold state licenses and have completed rigorous training programs with ongoing continuing education in traditional and modern techniques.
What payment options exist?
We accept insurance billing and offer flexible payment options for self-pay patients with competitive rates aligned with industry standards.
Reviews (6)
Wendy H.
Apr 09, 2021
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I'm new to acupuncture and must say I'm a believer. I'm hoping to care for arthritis and insomnia without having to resort to medicine. After one treatment the arthritis pain was cut in half and I was sleeping much better. Excited to see what a couple of additional appts will do. The people are great and seem to listen and care for your concerns. No pressure for additional services they offer.
Afton E.
Sep 28, 2020
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I do NOT recommend this place. I went back in October 2019. I just received a bill 11 months later for my visit. When I scheduled, I had asked if they were a preferred provider with my insurance. They had said yes, and it also stated so on their website. My bill was for the full visit amount. Apparently they are NOT a preferred provider. When I arrived at the office for the first visit they gave me the paperwork to fill out. The paperwork was copied so many times that you could barely read it. The front desk girl seemed very new or not knowledgeable of front desk tasks. The bill was apparently
Jen R.
Jun 12, 2018
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Dr. Kim is truly dedicated to healing and helping his patients achieve lasting wellness and balance. He spends time understanding your particular needs and goals and enthusiastically explains acupuncture. Under his care I have reversed certain health issues and continue to benefit from occasional follow ups for optimum health. I recommend him to everyone and several of my friends now see him. Highly recommended!
Cindy C.
Mar 17, 2018
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I visited Arlington Acupuncture to see Dr. Kim, based on the outstanding reviews here, and was surprised (and a bit taken aback) when I arrived for my first appointment and discovered I was to be seen by a different acupuncturist. As it turns out, that acupuncturist, Stephen Semptimphelter (EAMP, LAc) has recently become the primary practitioner at this location, while Dr. Kim, the owner (who treated me one time and is also fantastic), primarily works at his Seattle office, keeping a few hours each week to tend to his Arlington patients. However unsure I was at the start of that first visit, my
Yoomi S.
Jan 24, 2018
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I had a wonderful massage with Elise today. I'm 32weeks pregnant and I'm really starting to feel the muscle aches in my backs and legs. Elise completely eased those aches. It was so nice to be able to lay face down comfortably. The massage room is so peaceful that I nearly fall asleep. I haven't felt that relaxed in months. Everyone at the clinic is very friendly and professional. I would highly recommend this clinic for prenatal, maternity massage and deep tissue massage!
Kanjin Cederman
Dec 22, 2017
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From the beginning, I experienced immediate relief from different hip and back issues, due to this treatment. I have a new doctor for all my physical issues. I really appreciate the positive experience of all of my visits. I highly recommend this clinic. The best of the best!
