Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine in DC
Around Thanksgiving 2018 I started to have migraines for the first time and some debilitating back pain. After a week of trying over the counter remedies and getting a “clean bill of health” from my doctor after running some blood tests I was ready to try something new. I had previously tried acupuncture but wasn't overwhelmed by the results. Just as I received another unhelpful update from my primary care physician I bumped into my friend Sidra and gave her a l little update. She stops me immediately and explains I had to see her guy.
ARRIVING
She shared his contact information with me by text which included his name, Dr. Yang, a phone number and the address for a row house. I call to make an emergency appointment, Dr. Yang picks up, and tells me he can see me same evenings. Tells me to bring only cash. I show up to a old row-house in Shaw. The hallway is fairly empty save a few folding chairs that you can grab if you want to sit while you are waiting. And you just hear Dr. Yang’s feet running around the house lightly — occasionally emerging from different rooms always apologizing for being behind schedule.
ENTRY EXAM
Eventually, he kindly greets me and welcomes me into one of two main intake rooms. Sits me down and starts asking me what’s going on (at the time migraines and back pain). He also begins to take my pulse in multiple locations on my wrist explaining how they are connected to different parts of the body. He examines my tongue and shares that it too can reveal stressors in my body. He tells me immediately after this examination that my “liver is on fire” and needs treatment.
Next he gets me facedown on the table and does a quick exam of my spine and when he applies pressure to my L5-S1 (lower back) asks me what happened here. I hadn’t mentioned it because I was so focused on my other pain but I had a herniated disc at sixteen years old in this exact location. I was so surprised, something I hadn’t divulged, this doctor within minutes of meeting me was able to pin point. He didn’t need me to fill out reams of paperwork, look at my past medical history or use fancy equipment.
ACUPUNTURE
He beings to put needles of all size all over my body along my spine, in my hips, in my wrists, behind my ankles. Then he attaches cords that are hooked up a machine that administers a small shock or pulse. I found it important to be vocal during this entire exercise. As he enters the needles I let him know how much I feel. Same for the shocks he will slowly turn up the strength until I express it is at my comfort level. Then he turns on some heat lamps and leaves the room for about 20-25 minutes to help another patient.
RESULT
Immediately after my first visit I break a sweat and my temperature started to rise. I had been carefully checking my temperature the previous 10 days as I had no idea what was wrong with me and I wanted to rule out things. My body had an immediate reaction to his acupuncture. After we were done he handed me his prescription for Chinese Herbal Medicine and sent me to Chinatown to pick it up. He had faxed it ahead and handed me a sheet detailing how to prepare the tea for the next 7 days. After picking up the custom tea blends and buying the clay pot they recommended I went home and did my best to make it with the instructions I partially understood. Remember, at this point I’m on day 10 of terrible pain, canceling plans, laying mostly flat, not sleeping well and taking upwards of 12 Advil a day. I took my temperate when I got home and it was 102. The day after my pain had decreased and I took only 6 Advil. After one more treatment of the herbal meds I was down to 3 Advil and by day three I was 100% back to normal.
My tips for seeing Dr. Yang
Call to make your appointment
Give yourself a solid 2 hour window
Be patient, he will be late but will take great care of you
Don’t be dismayed by the appearance of the space
Ask follow up questions if you don’t understand something
I’ve also paid extra for things like acupressure (a light massage)
Bring $200 cash (I think initial intake appointments are typically about $120-$140 then follow up are only like $80)
Dr. Yang 202-232-0549
Address 1509 6th St NW Washington, DC
CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE
This part is perhaps the most confusing part of your visit since the instructions are a little haphazard and everything is written or communicated in Chinese mostly. But essentially when you get to the apothecary in Chinatown (Da Hsin Trading 811 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001) they will probably have your order ready. Each custom tea blend will be put into a brown paper lunch bag. You should also buy the special clay pot as you should not cook your tea in anything metal. When you get home here are the steps you should typically take:
Soak everything in the bag for 30 minutes in the indicated 3-4 cups of cold water
Then pour everything into your clay pot and boil for 30-45 minutes
When finished strain that liquid into a separate container
At this point you can test the liquid if its too pungent or strong for you you can repeat the above steps.
Add 3-4 cups fo water to the original mixture.
Boil for 30-45 minutes.
Add this new diluted liquid to the original liquid.
At this point you should drink 6-8 ounces of the finished liquid. Usually it’s enough for two servings one at night and another for the morning. Right now I’m doing a special blend that’s to help me with sleep so I’m only drinking it at night close to bedtime.
On my most recent visit to address some of my sleep issues I was given magnetite which I was instructed to boil for 15 minutes before starting the entire process. I’m only on night two of this new blend and I am seeing results. I don't have all the answers but if I can answer any other questions feel free to message me on instagram.
