We help you achieve optimum well-being through a modern and personalized approach to healthcare.

Hoku Acupuncture Seattle - small flower

Hoku Acupuncture Seattle - small flower

mission

HOKU Acupuncture is
committed to helping you
harness your innate power to
heal and aims to be a
guiding force in your
journey to restored health
and a revitalized spirit.

 

Hoku Acupuncture Seattle - asian tree

Hoku Acupuncture Seattle - asian tree

 Principles

Maintain the highest degree of professionalism and integrity

Communicate clearly, accurately and kindly

Deepen and expand specialized therapy through continued education

Treat with dignity and respect

 

Hoku Acupuncture Seattle - bamboo tree

Hoku Acupuncture Seattle - bamboo tree

focus

We focus on diagnosing and
treating the imbalances that
lead to sickness and disease.
We then provide a realistic
approach to healing by
developing an individualized
treatment plan that meets your
needs and lifestyle.

Does acupuncture hurt?

Our patients are usually pleasantly surprised at how gentle Acupuncture is. The needles are as thin as a piece of hair and you won't usually feel the needles going in.

Does acupuncture actually work?

YES! The World Health Organization and the National Institute of Health recognize the efficacy of Acupuncture and its ability to positively impact health issues. This has been validated through research studies and articles on Acupuncture's success rate.

How does Acupuncture work?

In Chinese Medicine:

Qi is your vital energy. Balanced Qi is considered good health. When Qi is out of balance, your body will send out distress signals (headaches, body pains or aches, melancholy, inappropriate anger, etc.)

Meridians are extra-cellular fluids that flow in channels independent of lymph and blood flow. The movement of the meridian, as well as the interaction of the fluid between or with the cells, creates energy.

Treatment. By inserting thin, sterile, needles into Acupuncture points along meridians, a current of energy is created that guides fluid and lymphocytes to areas of the body that are in need of healing. Systemically, these same points also stimulate the Central Nervous System, which then releases your body's own natural chemicals. These chemicals not only reduce pain but also trigger hormones that help regulate and bring your body back into balance. The mind and spirit, in turn, are soothed and calmed by the re-establishment of normal function and movement.

What can acupuncture treat?

The World Health Organization and the National Institute of Health recognize that Acupuncture is safe and affective for a multitude of diseases and conditions, which include but are not limited to:

Women. Fertility, PMS, PCOS, Endometriosis, Menstrual Irregularities, Cramps, Menopause, Hot Flashes, Night Sweats

Men. Erectile Dysfunction, Abnormal Sperm Parameters (count, morphology, progression), Prostate Issues, Urinary Weakness

Physical Injury and Pain. Arthritis, Repetitive Strain, Tennis Elbow, Joint Issues, Sciatica, Low Back, Shoulder, Knee, Neck, & Post-Operative Pain

Head, Ears, Nose and Throat. Headaches, Migraines, TMJ, Allergies, Sinusitis, Tinnitus, Sore Throat, Rhinitis

Emotional. Stress, Depression, Anxiety, Grief, PTSD, Trauma

Gastrointestinal. IBS, Food Allergies, Nausea, Vomiting, Constipation, Hemorrhoids, Ulcers, Colitis, Diarrhea

Immune Support. Allergies, Viral Infection, Weakened Immune System

Medical Diseases . Hyper/Hypotension, Urinary Tract Infection, Chemotherapy and Radiation relief

How long does a treatment last?

The first office visit will take 1.5 hours and all follow-up appointments last approximately one hour.

Should I do anything special in advance of my visit?

Yes, please come having eaten a light meal and wearing comfortable loose clothing. We may need to reach different parts of your skin or body for treatment.

What should I expect?

Each visit will begin with a brief discussion of your condition then I will check your pulse and look at your tongue. These two diagnostic tools help identify patterns and pathologies that need to be addressed. Your practitioner will then determine the appropriate Acupuncture points to address these issues. You may feel a small prick or none at all when the needle is inserted. The needles are very thin, sterile, stainless steel, and disposable. After insertion, your Qi will be stimulated and the needles kept in for an appropriate amount of time.

Will the treatment only include acupuncture?

No, not always. Your practitioner may include other modalities in addition to Acupuncture in order to best treat your condition:

Electrical, Mechanical or Magnetic Stimulation of Acupuncture Points. Using very small levels of electricity to stimulate Acupuncture points and meridians, or by using mechanical or magnetic devises to stimulate Acupuncture points or meridians. These treatments are painless.

Moxibustion. A soft woolly mass prepared from ground young mugwort leaves, typically in the form of sticks or cones, which are ignited and placed on or close to the skin or used to heat Acupuncture needles. This is also painless.

Acupressure. Traditional Chinese medical massage and manual therapy.

Cupping. Glass cups are placed on the skin with suction to stimulate circulation.

Dermal-friction Technique (Gua-sha). Friction is applied topically to the skin using a smooth object to relieve symptoms.

Infrared Heat. Applying heat generated by an infrared lamp over a specific area of the body.

Sonopuncture. The use of sound to stimulate Acupuncture points or meridians.

Laserpuncture. Laser light beams are applied to the Acupuncture points to help stimulate the flow of Qi and promote healing.

Dietary Advice and Health Education Based on East Asian Medical Theory. Suggestions for nutrition and herbal food products including herbs, vitamins, minerals, and dietary and nutritional supplements.

Breathing, Relaxation, and East Asian Exercise Techniques. Guidance on meditation and relaxation techniques.

Qi Gong. An internal Chinese meditation practice that often uses slow graceful movements and controlled breathing techniques to promote the circulation of Qi within the human body, and enhance a practitioner's overall health.

East Asian Massage and Tui Na. Bodywork characterized by kneading, pressing, rolling, shaking, and stretching of the body. This does not include spinal manipulation.

Superficial Heat and Cold Therapy. Application of hot or cold therapies.

Liniments, Oils, and Plasters. Herbal formulas applied topically to the skin.

How many treatments does it take?

Acupuncture is extremely individualized. The course of treatment depends on how acute or chronic the ailment, how long you have had the condition, your lifestyle, and how strongly you respond to Acupuncture.

Supplements or herbal formulas may be suggested. Research has shown that these may expedite healing and support healthy immune responses.

How do I make an appointment?

To make an appointment, please email at hokuacupuncture@gmail.com or call 206.860.1704. We endeavor to answer your call in person, but may be treating a patient when you contact us. Should you reach our voice mail, please leave a message for Andrea Iwi'ula or HOKU Acupuncture and include your name, phone number, best days and times for appointments, and preferred times to be reached. We will return your call as soon as possible.

What kind of training do you have?

In order to become licensed, Andrea Iwi'ula was required to complete a minimum of 750 hours of Acupuncture academic education, 500 hours of clinical training, and 450 hours in biomedical science at a collegiate level with study in anatomy, physiology, bacteriology, biochemistry, pathology, hygiene, medical referral, and survey of western clinical sciences. Andrea then followed these requirements with the completion of both the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine's national certification exam and the Clean Needle Protocol Exam.

Andrea also has significant training in Fertility Enhancement (nationally certified by the Acupuncture and TCM Board of Reproductive medicine - ABORM), 5-Element Acupuncture, Toyo Hari (Japanese Style) Acupuncture, Herbal Therapy, Auricular Therapy, and the Acupuncture “Facelift” or Facial Rejuvenation.

 

What you need to know:


Insurance
Coverage

HOKU Acupuncture is a Preferred Provider (PPO) for the following Insurance companies:

Regence

Premera

Aetna

First Choice

Auto Accidents or PIP Claims
 

If you do not see the name of your insurance carrier above, please check with your individual plan to see if Andrea Iwi'ula is a provider.

If you do not have a PPO plan, you may need a referral from your doctor. Any appointments prior to your referral date will not be covered by your insurance.

Many insurance companies pay for “out-of-network” rates. This means that your insurance carrier may pay for a portion of your visit, even though your practitioner is not a Preferred Provider. Please check your individual plan for specific benefits.

Unfortunately, Medicare and Labor and Industry (L&I) Claims do not cover acupuncture.

**FERTILITY Coverage: If you are coming for fertility support through acupuncture, please call your insurance provider and ask them specifically if they will cover the ICD-10 diagnosis code: N97.9. Many insurance companies will cover acupuncture but will have exclusions to plan payment for fertility.

Financial Policy

We accept payment in the form of cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, debit card, Zelle or insurance.

Payment is expected in full at the time of service, including all co-payments related to insurance.

Discounted rates apply for prompt payment at time of service.

If we are contracted with your insurance company, then we will bill them directly. Any remainder due after your insurance claim has processed will be billed directly to you.

We can provide a Superbill or receipt for reimbursement submission to your insurance if we are not in network..

  • A $75.00 fee will be applied for all cancelled appointments with less than 24-hour notice.

  • If an appointment is missed with no prior notice - then a “No Show” fee (which is full payment for the appointment) will be charged.

  • A $35.00 fee will apply for all checks returned for Non-sufficient-funds (NSF).


Contact:


We Offer a
free 15 minute
consultation
upon request