Fequently Asked Questions

1. Does acupuncture hurt?

No, Japanese stye acupuncture that Dr. Andrea practices can be gentle, very relaxing, pain and stress relieving. Often patients take nap during treatment and wake up feeling refreshed, relaxed, happy and less discomfort.

 

“Dr. Renee is the Stress Whisperer as far as I’m concerned. I never feel the needles when she works on me, and I usually feel at least 30% better when I just walk into her space. She’s the real deal.” – Tiare W.                                                                                                                                                                                            
“I had the privilege of hosting Dr Andrea’s Wellness Hour at our Abundant HealthPreneur retreat, and I cannot recommend highly enough! She brought joy, relaxation, and embodiment to everyone present. She made everybody so relaxed, even if they were brand new to these modalities. Dr. Andrea is the perfect bridge to create more healing for organizations, where people are stressed or physically stuck sitting or just caught in their heads. What a gift this woman is!” – Jon Block

2. How big are the needles?

Dr. Andrea practices Japanese style acupuncture using tiny needles that are just the thickness of a strand of hair that are gently tapped lightly and very shallowly into the skin.

“Dr. Renee is the Stress Whisperer as far as I’m concerned. I never feel the needles when she works on me, and I usually feel at least 30% better when I just walk into her space. She’s the real deal.” – Tiare W.

3. Does acupuncture work?

Yes. Acupuncture has been clinically researched and shown to be effective in the treatment of not only pain but also many other health conditions while providing benefits including:

1. Reducing Stress

2. Improving Sleep

3. Reducing Pain

4. Boosting Energy, Mental Focus, Athletic Performance & Recovery

5. Improving Immunity & Digestion

6. Reducing, Reversing & Preventing Signs of Aging improving skin, hair, nail health, muscle tone

7. Reduce Menopause Symptoms, Improve Fertility & PMS

And more! National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health (2022, October 1). Acupuncture Effectiveness and Safety. National Institute of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved February 26, 2025, from https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/acupuncture-effectiveness-and-safety

4. Is acupuncture a sham?

No. Acupuncture has been clinically researched to be effective in the treatment of not only pain but also a variety of health conditions while delivering compounding and lasting benefits including:

1. Reducing Stress

2. Improving Sleep

3. Reducing Pain

4. Boosting Energy, Mental Focus, Athletic Performance & Recovery

5. Improving Immunity & Digestion

6. Reducing, Reversing & Preventing Signs of Aging improving skin, hair, nail health, muscle tone

7. Reduce Menopause Symptoms, Improve Fertility & PMS

And more! National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health (2022, October 1). Acupuncture Effectiveness and Safety. National Institute of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved February 26, 2025, from https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/acupuncture-effectiveness-and-safety                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

“Dr. Andrea Renee Rivera is our entire family’s ‘go-to’ for all things health and wellness. From pain management to weight loss, hormone management to viruses, Dr. Rivera’s directives, protocols, and Chinese herb formulas have changed our lives in a powerful way. We thank her for guiding us to optimal health.” – Suzanne L.

5. How long does acupuncture take to work?

Acupuncture can produce immediate results of less pain & stress with better energy and sleep within the first treatment session. Treatment plans are usually a series of 4-8 treatments to create best results that can last for weeks, months or permanently depending on health conditions being treated and the adoptions of the permanent lifestyle changes Dr. Andrea teaches every patient being regularly practiced that maintain permanent and continued compounding best results.

 

“I am so glad I’ve found Andrea Renee! I have been struggling from PMDD for many years and felt like I had tried everything. Andrea used acupuncture to help balance my hormones and after the first month of weekly treatments I had no pms symptoms at all. As I continue to go for maintenance, I feel better and better all the time. She has also given me great nutrition information and tips of relaxing to detress at home. I recommend her to everyone now! I’m pretty sure she saved my relationship! 😜 ❤️” – Sara B.                                                                                                               
“Dr Renee saved me from years of stiffness and discomfort. I never had acupuncture in the past, but after 4 treatments, my neck loosened in ways that even 10 years of yoga never accomplished. Her Chinese medicine has improved my internal health lowering my cholesterol and maintaining energy. Her thorough knowledge and her gift for explaining difficult concepts in simple ways is also greatly appreciated. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!” – Michael J., Own the Potential                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
“Dr. Renee uses her compassion and knowledge to provide outstanding treatments. My first treatment from her alleviated my severe pain coming from my hip. I was pain-free for a whole week and then have had only minor infrequent pain since.” – Paul D.

6. Does acupuncture work for back pain?

Yes. Acupuncture helps nerves and muscles relax, improves circulation, reduces inflammation, and gets the body out of flight/fight stress response and making endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers and mood lifters that can reduce pain everywhere in the body along with improving sleep and reducing the stress of having pain.

“Dr. Andrea is good. She gave me some exercise to do at home for my back pain and some Chinese herbs to fight with my lack of iron in my pre menopause symptoms. Very useful. Thank you!” – Monica

7. Does acupuncture work for neck pain?

Yes. Acupuncture helps nerves and muscles relax, improves circulation, reduces inflammation, and gets the body out of flight/fight stress response and making endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers and mood lifters that can reduce pain everywhere in the body along with improving sleep and reducing the stress of having pain.

 

“Dr Renee saved me from years of stiffness and discomfort. I never had acupuncture in the past, but after 4 treatments, my neck loosened in ways that even 10 years of yoga never accomplished. Her Chinese medicine has improved my internal health lowering my cholesterol and maintaining energy. Her thorough knowledge and her gift for explaining difficult concepts in simple ways is also greatly appreciated. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!” – Michael J., Own the Potential                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
“My experience with Dr. Andrea Renee has been extremely amazing. She has helped me with neck, back and my battles with PTSD…though physical therapy and acupuncture.. I highly recommend her.” – Elizabeth G.

8. Does acupuncture work for fertility?

Yes. Clinical research has shown that acupuncture helps to balance hormones and reduce menopause, PMS, and PMDD, PCOS symptoms while improving fertility. Especially with fertility treatment such as IVF, acupuncture can increase IVF success by up to 60%.

Dr. Andrea has helped patients not only get pregnant & have healthy babies but also have less discomfort during pregnancy reducing pain, fatigue and morning sickness.

9. Does acupuncture work for PMS?

Yes. Yes. Clinical research has shown that acupuncture helps to balance hormones and reduce menopause, PMS, and PMDD, PCOS symptoms while improving fertility.

“I am so glad I’ve found Andrea Renee! I have been struggling from PMDD for many years and felt like I had tried everything. Andrea used acupuncture to help balance my hormones and after the first month of weekly treatments I had no pms symptoms at all. As I continue to go for maintenance, I feel better and better all the time. She has also given me great nutrition information and tips of relaxing to detress at home. I recommend her to everyone now! I’m pretty sure she saved my relationship! 😜 ❤️” – Sara B.

10. Does acupuncture work for menopause?

Yes. Clinical research has shown that acupuncture helps to balance hormones and reduce menopause, PMS, and PMDD, PCOS symptoms while improving fertility.

 

“I’m having crazy hormonal mood swings. Menopause is the worst! My problem is mostly mood. I don’t even recognize myself…with the HRT I’m doing…
My herbs arrived. Thank you 🙏…so far with the herbs you prescribed I’m feeling good sleeping a lot better and actually sleeping in. I woke up at 9 am today which is crazy cuz I’m usually up at 6. I really appreciate all your help. I’m so happy to join the herb party! Thanks for taking me under wing. I definitely don’t have time for this menopause nonsense. I’m feeling much better. Thank you so much! You’re the best 💜” – C. H.

11. Does acupuncture work for anxiety, depression, insomnia?

Yes. Acupuncture turns off the fight/flight stress response during the treatment and puts the body back into the parasympathetic rest, digest, repair stress response creating homeostasis ideal balance, reducing stress chemicals, balancing hormones, and making endorphins that are our body’s natural pain killers and mood lifters.

“Renee is such a compassionate healer. This was exactly what I needed during a very stressful time. She works with so many different modalities, not just needles. She is also such a super gentle acupuncturist. It’s a non pain approach all around. Thank you, Renee.” – Ariel M., Mirage Law

“I love Chillax and Dr. Andrea. She listens and cares. And she is so gentle, supportive, and non-judgmental. And, oh my goodness – is she responsive when you have a question! She sooo very much goes the extra mile. Additionally, the treatments are so effective – both soothing/relaxing and therapeutic/efficacious. She has actually saved me trips to the ER by working on a heart issue I have – in both the acute and long-term sense. I am so very glad I found her. She has been such a support and a literal life saver. Love her!” – – Maria G.

 

“My experience with Dr. Andrea Renee has been extremely amazing. She has helped me with neck, back and my battles with PTSD…though physical therapy and acupuncture.. I highly recommend her.” – Elizabeth G.

12. Does acupuncture work for pain?

Yes. After the opioid pain killer epidemic causing thousands of overdoses across the USA, acupuncture has become one of the 1st recommended medical interventions along with chiropractic and physical therapy for pain relief BEFORE pain killers are prescribed and as a means of reducing the dosage and need for prescription pain killer medication.

Especially for chronic pain acupuncture has been shown in clinical research to be an effective solution for pain management that is used by the military for both active duty and veteran care that also reduces stress while treating PTSD just as effectively as talk therapy and prescription medications without side effects.

“Her knowledge is incredible. She is a doctor who takes her time in treating you. She truly cares about you and teaches you how to help take care of yourself. Her knowledge of Chinese medicine with the art of acupuncture and cupping working all together is truly healing to your body. She has successfully helped me get out of major Chronicle pain and change my daily out look on life. Her positive energy and carrying of her patients is outstanding.” – Loretta M.

“I’m very pleased to recommend this acupuncture establishment to anyone dealing with unwanted body issues.

The treatments are carefully and professionally delivered. What’s more important, the results.
I leave my appointments very relaxed, as though I’m floating on air, with my pain a distant memory.” – Juliet K.