Contact Maine Zen Den

Acupuncture works by releasing beta-endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine and increasing blood flow.

Dr. Tan's Balance Method Acupuncture works by focusing on points away from an area of pain using acupuncture theories and strategies rooted in Chinese Medical classics and the Yi Jing to choose points that quickly and effectively treat pain and other problems.

The length of time for you to get and stay better depends upon how long you have had your illness or injury, how often you engage in activities that aggravate your condition, how often you engage in other activities to help with your condition, and how frequently and how long you receive acupuncture.

The number of needed treatments is influenced by the severity and duration of the illness or injury, whether Chinese herbal therapy and/or home or self-care activities, like acupressure, self-massage, Qi Gong and dietary changes, are also used, and if the person is able to avoid activities that aggravate their illness or injury. For acute illnesses or injuries, the average is about 12 acupuncture treatments. For chronic illnesses or injuries, the average is 24 acupuncture treatments. For people undergoing cancer treatments or receiving medications to reduce the recurrence of cancer, treatment is often needed during the length of their oncologist-prescribed treatment to achieve the best outcomes.

It's normal to have questions before your first treatment. The good news? Acupuncture needles are extremely thin — about the width of a human hair. Most people feel little more than a brief sensation, and many find treatments so relaxing they drift off to sleep.Donald is both a Registered Nurse and Licensed Acupuncturist with more than 25 years of clinical experience, so you'll have plenty of time to ask questions and understand your treatment plan before the first needle is placed.Wear comfortable clothing, eat a light meal within a couple of hours beforehand, and arrive a few minutes early.Getting started is easy:Book a free consultation to meet Donald, tour the clinic, and ask questions with no obligation.Take advantage of our New Patient Special: Receive an initial evaluation and your first acupuncture treatment for $85 in a private room or $37 in our semi-private treatment space. (Offer valid for prompt self-payment and cannot be combined with insurance.)

Your first visit begins with a conversation. Donald will ask about your health history, current symptoms, and what you'd like to achieve with treatment. Depending on your concerns, your assessment may also include traditional Chinese medicine diagnostic techniques, such as checking your pulse and looking at your tongue.After your assessment, you'll receive your first acupuncture treatment in either a private treatment room (approximately 75 minutes) or our semi-private treatment space (approximately 45–60 minutes). Your treatment is tailored to your individual needs and may include acupuncture points away from the area of pain, depending on your condition. You'll then rest comfortably for about 30 to 45 minutes while the treatment takes effect — many patients find this time deeply relaxing.Before you leave, Donald will review your treatment plan, answer any questions, and discuss next steps. To help your visit go smoothly, wear loose, comfortable clothing, eat a light meal beforehand, and arrive a few minutes early.

A few simple steps can help you get the most from your treatment.Before your appointment: Eat a light meal within a couple of hours, wear loose, comfortable clothing, and arrive a few minutes early. If anything has changed since your last visit, let Donald know — even small details can help guide your treatment.After your appointment: Take it easy for the rest of the day, stay hydrated, and avoid strenuous exercise if possible. Mild soreness or fatigue is normal for some people and usually resolves quickly. If you notice anything unexpected or have questions after your visit, don't hesitate to contact the clinic.

No, Maine doesn't require a referral to see a licensed acupuncturist, so if you're paying out of pocket or your insurance plan doesn't require one, you can book directly.The one exception is VA Community Care. If you're using VA benefits, your VA primary care provider needs to submit a referral before we can bill the VA for your visits — reach out to your VA care team to get that started.Either way, we verify your acupuncture benefits before your visit, so you'll know exactly what's covered — and whether a referral is needed — before you come in.