I've been seeing Dr Young Kim and Zoe Lai for a while now. Both extremely knowledgeable and highly intuitive in their approach. Not only are their acupuncture skills very effective but the herbal prescriptions have made a world of difference along with the treatments. Originally came for digestive issues. Nowadays Dr Young Kim is helping me with chronic pain and post car accident injuries. I have been impressed with the professional and compassionate care I've been receiving here. Have always had relief from symptoms as well as an overall increase in energy after each session. Very grateful. Highly recommend. read more

Seattle Essential Acupuncture - Acupuncturist - Acupuncture Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

I went to Seattle Essential Acupuncture to treat my anxiety and stress. The appointment process through the reception phone line was smooth and easy. Unfortunately (or lucky??) , couple of days leading up to my first appointment/intake, I strained my shoulders and neck; so perfect time to visit and get it treated. During the intake, they take your baseline so that you can monitor your progress throughout the treatment. Zoe did a through intake survey, asked me about my preferences and continued with a rotating treatment of acupuncture, cupping therapy and stretches. My shoulder pain is completely gone and I feel so much better after each treatment. read more

When I first came to Dr. Kim, I was struggling BIG time with health challenges. I had just been diagnosed with TB (tuberculosis), shocking! And I was having night sweats at 37 years of age, a healthy active female. My blood tests showed my hormone panel as post menopausal, which was surprising to my Dr. because of how young I am. I had this inner nudge to get off of oral contraception after taking it for 20 years. I went off of it cold, continued 4 months of hard core TB antibiotics which was killing my gut. I was experiencing everything from digestive issues, headaches, bloating, weight gain, fatigue, poor circulation in my arms and legs where they would go numb, and the night sweats. When he first saw me he said, "You have a ways to go, but we can do this.. you just have to be patient and continue treatment." We started off with two appointments/week and gradually over time started spacing them out as my body starting responding to acupuncture. I have worked with other acupuncturists before but what I can tell is that I SWEAR by Dr. Kim. The cupping and electroacupuncture is amazing! When I got my first Acugraph done with him, I had energy deficiencies in my liver, kidneys, spleen, stomach-practically everywhere! I felt discouraged and unsure if this would help. After just 6 months of treatment here are my results: -my night sweats have stopped -no more headaches -I have more energy, less fatigue, and my joints dont' hurt -I have less IBS issues -the herbs have helped with inflammation and cleansing as I've lost inches and weight all over -I am much more in tune with my body, my symptoms, and how I feel because Dr. Kim helps educate his patients I still have a ways to go, however, I am out of the dark because of his expertise, knowledge, ability to determine the patterns and treat them head on. I have learned SO much from Dr. Kim. I would recommend him OVER and OVER! read more

I'm not going to bore you with one of those "Western doctors couldn't solve my problem, yada yada yada, but Dr. Kim cured me..." stories. On second thought, yes. Yes I will. I had a chronic cough and a history of bronchitis that plagued me for over a decade, that I had just learned to live with. I had gone to multiple doctors, had multiple x-rays, and even seen a well-regarded pulmonologist who stuck me in a hyperbaric chamber, ran hours of tests, and ultimately told me "You're fat" (hey - I might be cuddly, but not that cuddly). Really - the pulmonologist had no idea what was happening. At the same time - my wife had been dealing with leg pain for some time, and decided to try acupuncture when nothing else worked. Lo and behold, within a few weeks, her pain was gone! She encouraged me to try acupuncture for my cough, and for the sake of humoring my wife and preserving our marriage, I went. Dr. Kim was patient and explained everything in detail, but what I vividly remember was him saying "You've suffered enough. I can help you." Initially I went 3 times a week for the first 2 months, then twice a week, then once a week. What started out as a typical horrible winter for me filled with long-running flu and respiratory issues ended up with me a few months later breathing free and clear, and cough-free! That was 2 years ago - and I am still doing great. I have been seeing Dr. Kim every week ever since, for no particular reason other than to lay down on the acupuncture table and say "Make me awesome". Just a few weeks ago - I went in talking about how I had to see an eye doctor for a slight change in my vision, and oh I happen to be experiencing this issue and that issue as well. Dr. Kim said "Those are all signs of a liver imbalance", did some magic to tame my rebellious liver Qi, and the next day I cancelled my eye appointment because I was back to my awesome, cuddly self. So I HIGHLY recommend you give acupuncture a try, and if you can get treated by Dr. Kim - do it. You won't regret it. And then you can have your very own "Western doctors couldn't solve my problem, but..." story to tell. read more

Dr Kim is great and understood what I need. He knows his craft. I had back and knee pain. Both on the left side. I had to come back few times but it went away. He said I need to do maintenance so I come back twice a month. I'm a golfer so back pain would be a problem if I don't take care of it. The place is clean and very relaxing. He even plays soft music while I'm on the treatment. Sometimes I take a nap or just lay here until it time for him to take the needs out. There is free parking and easy to get to. Price is reasonable. Easy to make appointments. read more

See all

Zoe is a thoughtful, kind and smart practitioner. I feel lucky to have found her. I've been going to her twice a week for several months now and she has helped my body and mind in many ways. I would recommend her to anyone! read more

Young Kim is very knowledgeable and is happy to explain the placement of the needles and the meridians of the body. He has been helping me reduce eczema, overall body inflammation, and is treating my sore shoulder. Along with the acupuncture needles, he uses electroacupuncture, cupping, and herbs. My treatment has been working very well and it inspired me to make an appointment for my 13 year old son. My son had been experiencing weakness in one of his arms that the doctor and neurologist could not explain. After a couple of sessions with Young, my son's strength started to return and he is doing much better. Along with the treatment I chose to do the Standard Process 10 day Inflammation Detox plan, which is available from the clinic. The detox plan itself is okay, but what helped the most was my discovery of how good eating clean makes me feel. During the 10 days program I researched clean eating and have found ways to continue the healthful eating habits beyond the detox. I am so glad my friend referred me to Young Kim at Essential Acupuncture. The experience has been life changing for me. I strongly encourage you to make an appointment if you need help with wellness and pain. read more

Since the pandemic I've been dealing with chronic fatigue, headaches, digestive issues, and insomnia. I've had several visits to my PCP and other specialty providers to get help but all I got was prescription after prescription to tru and see if it would help with problems. None of them worked. Dr. Kim was recommended by a friend who spoked highly of him so I decided to see him. It turned out that I had a lot of energy imbalances throughout my body but mostly focused on my neck and shoulders, after only 7 sessions I felt like my old self. The headaches are gone, I'm sleeping through the night, I have more energy (even to workout), and my digestion has never been better. I am so glad I went to see him and will continue to do so to maintain my progress. read more

Dr. Kim has a very asserive treatment plan, which I LOVE. He always listens to everything I have to say about my ailments and he works to address those quickly and while mitigating pain. I have been seeing him for less than a year and my issues have improved almost 100%. I could barely walk when I started seeing him and now I am not only walking, but pain free. We are now working on older, persistent issues that have never seemed to resolve completely. They also have a wonderful selection of herbal supplements to assist in healing. He is a great practitioner!!! read more

This was my first experience receiving acupuncture; but I can tell I will happily continue to receive these treatments for a long time. After decades of chronic pain, fatigue, GI problems, etc., etc., I am feeling my body heal for the first time. It feels like a superpower! Dr. Kim is very kind and gentle with the needles, attentive in asking and answering questions, and really takes the time to understand what is going on with your body and your energy, so he can better empower you to self-heal and interact well with the treatments. I have never had a healing experience like it. The clinic is cozy, scheduling is easy, and the prices are very reasonable. 5 stars across the board. read more

This is the first time I've done accupuncture and cupping and it's been super helpful for my chronic back pain. I've tried a lot of different things and this seems to be the best. The relief from the first session was incredible. Dr. Kim provides excellent context on what's going on and answer any questions you have. The only con is that sometimes reception is slow to get back to you. RE reception: they have now changed their reception staff and they've been super helpful to work with. read more

Dr. Kim is in tune with his knowledge and abilities dealing with chronic pain - I am on my 4th session and today felt a massive release in my hip - I have tried everything with not much success from Physical Therapy lotions etc etc but I am finding with acupuncture my walking and endurance is starting to return and I am emotionally moving into a calmer state of being. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Dr. Kim if you are tired of being in pain and want a method of healing that works ..... and I'm over my fear of needles his speed and gentleness is incredible... I look forward to my next appointment. read more

Zoe Lai is an amazing Acupuncturist. I have RA and have struggled with chronic pain for over 6 years and after 7 treatments, I am feeling so much better! My inflammation is less and my pain is less. I am so grateful! Zoe not only does acupunture, but after she removes the needles, she massages problem areas, uses cupping etc... I highly recommend this establishment. read more

I have been getting acupuncture service for almost a month, my energy was very low when I started and now I feel like a different person, with more energy and less neck and shoulder pain. I completely recommend Seattle Essential Acupuncture! He estado recibiendo acupuntura por casi un mes, cuando empece mi energia estaba muy baja y ahora me siento como una persona diferente, con mas energia y menos dolor de cuello y hombros. Recomiendo completamente Seattle Essential Acupuncture! read more

Using this for a hip replacement post op... It's such a weird feeling to leave, and your bad leg is better than your good... Highly highly recommend it... keep an open mind, I have nothing but praise for Zoe lai.... quite happy and look forward to getting even better. read more

I went to the Smokey Point Arlington office. The nerve pain was bad, I mean to the point of I was going to see a neurologist however they are far and few due to so many retiring. I called this place, they got me in right away and I am on the road to recovery. Nice, informative and why did I wait so long. Tracie read more

Dr. Kim is amazing. I felt a difference in my first session which is almost unheard of because acupuncture always takes many sessions to take affect. read more

My 2nd time with Dr Kim. I can see why Dr Kim is considered one of the greats in the northwest. Walked in the clinic with pain and walked out without. Enough is said. read more

I highly recommend Essential Acupuncture. I started acupuncture for the first time about a month ago after having my first child. I was having arm, shoulder, and back pain - presumably from the unfamiliar repetition motion of holding the new little one. The pain was bad enough that I had numbness and tingling in my hands and often felt like I'd just hit my funny bone. My primary care doc referred me to acupuncture, massage, and physical therapy. The combination treatment approach has worked well and I've felt about 75% improvement in about a month. (In one month I've been to acupuncture 1-2 times/week, had 3 massages, and been to PT twice) Specifically for the acupuncture, Dr Kim was very patient with me in explaining how acupuncture works in a general sense and ensuring that each treatment is not only targeting any pain I am experiencing, but also that I am comfortable with the treatment.. He is extremely professional and he listens patiently and explains the treatment well. For anyone considering acupuncture, this a great place to start! read more

Dr Kim was able to start seeing me right away after I was experiencing several months of depression and anxiety. I was at the point I felt like I had taken cold medicine during the day- that's how foggy my mind was. My cycles were off, my sleep was off, and I knew I could be living much happier. He started treating me for anxiety and depression and I have since felt like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I feel energized, active, clear minded, focused, my cycles are regular and I am hopeful! I mentioned to Dr Kim that I had thrown my back out when I was at work and he focused acupuncture on that area and immediately I started feeling better, I was even able to go to work the next day. Thank you dr Kim for being so compassionate, and listening to me and looking at the holistic me. read more

I've had stubborn muscle tension in my hip/glute (piriformis?) for a year now and after one too many doctor visits and PT Sessions with no improvement, I decided to give acupuncture a try. I'm 6 sessions in (electroacupuncture and cupping) and feeling SIGNIFICANTLY better - it's kind of crazy how drastically better I feel in just 2 weeks. Dr. Kim is extremely knowledgeable and very passionate about what he does. He takes the time to thoroughly explain everything and answer all my questions. Let's just say, he knows his stuff! I also have a myriad of other issues - tension headaches, stiff neck/shoulders, PCOS, fatigue, etc. and I am already feeling so much better and so much more hopeful that I don't have to just "live" with some of these frustrating aches, pains, and chronic conditions. Again, I'm still in shock and really regretting not coming sooner! Don't think about it anymore and just make an appointment :) read more

Dr. Kim is very understanding and provides treatment that addresses all the concerns of the patient. The treatment is also very effective!

I suffer from chronic lower back pain due to my serious sports addictions. I tried everything including medicated rubs, ibuprofen, rehab, etc. But it didn't matter what I did -- the pain just kept coming back and getting worse, year after year. Dr Kim explained the nuances of my situation and recommended a tailored plan to remedy the issue. At first, I was skeptical. But after multiple visits and therapies, the pain started to subside. I no longer have the nagging back pain and can participate in all my sports without the worry of lingering pain or injury. Dr Kim is a life saver! read more

Dr. Kim's clinic was my first experience with acupuncture and had such an amazing results. I have been seeing him for over four years. He truly cares about his patients and their well being. If you ever had any doubts about acupuncture or feel uncomfortable with needles, he does a great job explaining and making you feel safe and answers any questions you may have. I highly recommend coming in!!! read more

I have been going to Dr.Kim for last 20 months for running related injuries or just maintenance. He has been great every time I have seen him...he listens, explains the underlying mechanics in detail and simple terms and his treatment has been affective for me. Highly recommend him! read more

Dr Kim was awesome! First time trying out accupunture and he created a painless effective experience

I wish that I could get a call back from Essential Acupuncture to deal with an incorrect bill that I just received for services more than NINE months ago! They seem to be completely incapable of dealing with insurance and sending timely bills. They also appear to have gotten a new admin/billing person who has equal or lesser knowledge as the previous employee. I have been billed for services that I didn't even receive, and nobody has updated me on this, despite me leaving numerous messages on their answering machine for several months. I no longer care to review Dr. Kim's services and quality if he can't hire staff to do his billing correctly. Nine to ten months is FAR too long to go before billing someone, and to do it incorrectly to boot. Yikes. read more

I went into Essential Acupuncture with lower back pain that I have been dealing with for the past 12 years. Dr. Young has treated this pain better than many attempts at massage and chiropractic sessions. I highly recommend Essential Acupuncture. read more

I am from S. Korea and I've seen my fair share of traditional Korean/Chinese medicine doctors. I've got to say that Dr. Kim is one of the best I've met. For the past five years, I've been to many different hospitals, chiropractic's, and other acupuncture clinic to relieve my chronic back pain. After years of failure with no decent result, I was recommended here by a good friend. Now, only one month later after starting treatment with Dr. Kim, my back pain has been greatly reduced and was able to go off my medications! Could not be happier. I highly recommend Essential Acupuncture Clinic to anyone and everyone interested in trying acupuncture or continuing with treatment, and especially recommend that you try a session with Dr. Kim. read more

I went to Essential Acupuncture Clinic for around 4 weeks and saw results within the first week. The herbal medications Dr. Kim gave me and the acupuncture itself allowed me to lose 10 pounds during the 4 week trial. He is straight forward and will realistically set out goals to improve your health. I was at first skeptical about acupuncture; however, the treatment allowed me to have high energy with low appetite. I would definitely go to Dr. Kim again if I have issues with weight loss. read more

I found Dr. Kim from all the great Yelp reviews I read about him. I can confirm that the reviews are true. It was very easy to make an appointment and I started seeing him the next day. I have been going for a month now for my Sciatica and it has been a blessing. I started off with extreme pain and with each treatment i feel better and don't have to rely on pain medication. Dr. Kim is very calm, professional, and explains everything to you before he starts. I feel that its very educational every time i go. I get to learn about my body and understand it more. Will be going here continuously and possibly for other things as well. read more

I had never done acupuncture before seeing Dr. Kim and he was extremely thorough in his explanation of the process and how it could be beneficial for what I was going through. I have been seeing Dr. Kim for the past 4 weeks for multiple different reasons and have felt so much more relaxed and comfortable on a daily basis. This is my first experience with alternative medicine and I am very happy with the results so far. I also don't feel a thing when the needles are placed. read more

I started seeing Dr. Kim almost a year ago for severe anxiety. He treated me with acupuncture and herbs and I started feeling better almost immediately. A couple months ago I was suffering from terrible headaches and once again Dr. Kim and Kyle helped with my pain and I have been headache free going on a month. They are very knowledgeable and know so much about the human body and how everything is connected. Dr. Kim sits and listens to what you have to say and you never feel like he is in a rush to see the next patient. Thank you so much for everything Dr. Kim and Kyle! read more

Dr. Kim has provided such a wonderful experience at Essential Acupuncture. I came in for irregular menstrual cycles and slowly but surely we are making progress. Dr. Kim has thoroughly explained every step of the process (thankfully, because I was afraid of the needles) and I trust his guidance as a professional. Dr. Kim has an amazing way of making his patients (including me) feel so relaxed - I've even fallen asleep multiple times - it's such a hard feeling to describe, but it is something I haven't been able to replicate, even with massage! I would highly recommend Essential Acupuncture to a friend (I have) or a stranger on the street. Thanks, Dr. Kim! read more

I'm a strength athlete and suffered a minor injury while training. I was looking for some relief for a stained muscle in my neighborhood and made an appointment at the Greenwood location of the Essential Acupuncture Clinic. Unfortunately they do not have office staff at this location and nobody bothered to note when I called that I wished to make an appointment in Greenwood rather than the Arlington location. After waiting half an hour the office manager for Abrams Chiropractic--where Essential Acupuncture rents space--messaged Dr. Kim to remind him of our appointment. Around 10 minutes later she received a call from the Arlington office asking for me. The receptionist from the Arlington location announced that they had made an error and expected me in Arlington. After waiting for nearly an hour I left without being treated. If you intend to seek treatment in Greenwood be prepared to deal with staff at a different location and be very clear when scheduling your appointment. read more