Pekoe Acupuncture & Wellness

Pekoe is genuinely a complete wellness center. Amy is the best massage therapist I've encountered. She is so intuitive and really listens. And Dr. Nicole still surprises me every time I do an acupuncture session. I don't understand how I never feel a needle going in, and I always feel like I'm floating home.

Pekoe was great when I initially had sessions with Noah, but recently it's not been the best experience as others have described. My last two sessions with Noah, they felt quick and impersonal as one other reviewer described. He left a needle in my leg after one appointment, and did the same thing on the follow up which I had to remind him about. Everything seemed rushed. It also seemed like he wanted to schedule my appointments around what was more convenient for him, not me. Also, Pekoe did not alert me that my billing coverage was changed through my provider.

I have been to Pekoe only twice now, but I can't say enough good stuff about it. A little over a year ago, I got off of hormonal birth control. Of course there are a lot of changes to come from doing such thing... including acne, hormonal fluctuations, pms symptoms, mood swings, etc. When these changes came up for me last year, I began seeing an Acupunturist in my hometown to help with my ailments, who I loved dearly. But - I recently moved to DC, and I was initially devastated to have to start new with someone after working for months with another acupuncturist already. Flash forward, I am lucky that I already love my new Acupunturist at Pekoe, who is Dr. Minchu Chen. I am also lucky that my insurance happens to be in cahoots with Pekoe, because that makes it all the more accessible for me. During my initial meeting with Dr. Chen, I was most happy about how she listened close about all of my symptoms and my goals for Acupunture and potentially taking herbs. I think we talked for almost a half hour going through my history and ailments and she just seemed to understand what I wanted & needed. She gives me so much advice that I can take home with me and follow on the daily, I literally sit there with my notes app open and ask questions, which means so much! She has completely personalized my plan of treatment - calming my spirit, strengthening my reproductive system, and soothing my long term hormonal acne that began after getting off of birth control. I am already reaping the physical & mental benefits of going to her. It feels great to be seen and cared for, I highly recommend Pekoe :-)

Look no further than Pekoe and their amazing practitioners (and front desk staff, John and Jahna) for natural healing for your body. I’ve seen Dr Chen and Dr Nicole Mires (also the owner) for a year now and can’t tell you how much they’ve helped me with my infertility issues, chronic inflammation, insomnia, indigestion and edema. Dr Mires is the most caring and generous and loving acupuncturist; she has become a friend and a comrade in my pregnancy journey. (I’ve had three miscarriages but am now pregnant with a healthy baby!!) I tell her she’s also my therapist and counselor and better than my primary care doctor/ OBs — because she actually genuinely cares about me and knows my body well. She is a healer and a blessing to me. I cannot recommend her and Pekoe for your naturopathic needs (they have more therapeutic services). The suite is quiet and clean and despite being in the heart of downtown, it’s easy to access (right in front of Farragut West Metro) with ample street parking when it’s not rush hour. DO YOUR BODY GOOD and Call them to book an appointment right now! Or you can also book conveniently online! PS I am ethnically Korean and have received the best acupuncture treatments in LA/NYC/Korea—many different styles (Korean, Chinese, Japanese, etc). So I feel strongly that I know an incredibly good acupuncturist when I receive the treatment. NICOLE IS REALLY REALLY GOOD and I urge you to see for yourself!

I've gotten both acupuncture and massages here, and I especially want to recommend massages with Amy! She's compassionate and really takes the time to make sure the massage matches what you need/want.

Like other reviewers, I’ve had a very poor experience with the billing side of Pekoe. They refused to refund the amount overcharged over their negotiated rate with my insurance company, CareFirst. If you can, go to one of the many other acupuncture providers in DC for a smoother experience. (Which is too bad, because my experience with the acupuncture itself was great, and it helped me recover after a long ultramarathon.)

Go see Peter!! I left feeling as light as a feather. He does a very unique guided massage. 10/10

This is an exploitative practice. Dr. Chen and her billing team refused to submit my claim to insurance despite being an in-network provider and acupuncture being an included benefit. They're happy to charge me more than the approved amount negotiated with my insurance, however, and let me deal with tracking down the reimbursement that will come in at less than what I paid. **Response to the business’ inaccurate response: they have a copy of my official EOB which shows they are in network and my insurance will pay for the benefit. If they don’t like what my insurance covers, then don’t agree to be in their network and waste their misled patients’ time. Here is a quote from Pekoe’s last email to me: “We have received the EOB, which shows almost no pay for acupuncture codes and office codes (false, they just have a lower negotiated rate than what the office wants to charge, which is how insurance works). We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you. This is not because of something you did wrong, it's just that your specific plan is different and it appears to not be paying out as they should for acupuncture codes.”

Pekoe is genuinely a complete wellness center. Amy is the best massage therapist I've encountered. She is so intuitive and really listens. And Dr. Nicole still surprises me every time I do an acupuncture session. I don't understand how I never feel a needle going in, and I always feel like I'm floating home.

Pekoe was great when I initially had sessions with Noah, but recently it's not been the best experience as others have described. My last two sessions with Noah, they felt quick and impersonal as one other reviewer described. He left a needle in my leg after one appointment, and did the same thing on the follow up which I had to remind him about. Everything seemed rushed. It also seemed like he wanted to schedule my appointments around what was more convenient for him, not me. Also, Pekoe did not alert me that my billing coverage was changed through my provider.

I have been to Pekoe only twice now, but I can't say enough good stuff about it. A little over a year ago, I got off of hormonal birth control. Of course there are a lot of changes to come from doing such thing... including acne, hormonal fluctuations, pms symptoms, mood swings, etc. When these changes came up for me last year, I began seeing an Acupunturist in my hometown to help with my ailments, who I loved dearly. But - I recently moved to DC, and I was initially devastated to have to start new with someone after working for months with another acupuncturist already. Flash forward, I am lucky that I already love my new Acupunturist at Pekoe, who is Dr. Minchu Chen. I am also lucky that my insurance happens to be in cahoots with Pekoe, because that makes it all the more accessible for me. During my initial meeting with Dr. Chen, I was most happy about how she listened close about all of my symptoms and my goals for Acupunture and potentially taking herbs. I think we talked for almost a half hour going through my history and ailments and she just seemed to understand what I wanted & needed. She gives me so much advice that I can take home with me and follow on the daily, I literally sit there with my notes app open and ask questions, which means so much! She has completely personalized my plan of treatment - calming my spirit, strengthening my reproductive system, and soothing my long term hormonal acne that began after getting off of birth control. I am already reaping the physical & mental benefits of going to her. It feels great to be seen and cared for, I highly recommend Pekoe :-)

Look no further than Pekoe and their amazing practitioners (and front desk staff, John and Jahna) for natural healing for your body. I’ve seen Dr Chen and Dr Nicole Mires (also the owner) for a year now and can’t tell you how much they’ve helped me with my infertility issues, chronic inflammation, insomnia, indigestion and edema. Dr Mires is the most caring and generous and loving acupuncturist; she has become a friend and a comrade in my pregnancy journey. (I’ve had three miscarriages but am now pregnant with a healthy baby!!) I tell her she’s also my therapist and counselor and better than my primary care doctor/ OBs — because she actually genuinely cares about me and knows my body well. She is a healer and a blessing to me. I cannot recommend her and Pekoe for your naturopathic needs (they have more therapeutic services). The suite is quiet and clean and despite being in the heart of downtown, it’s easy to access (right in front of Farragut West Metro) with ample street parking when it’s not rush hour. DO YOUR BODY GOOD and Call them to book an appointment right now! Or you can also book conveniently online! PS I am ethnically Korean and have received the best acupuncture treatments in LA/NYC/Korea—many different styles (Korean, Chinese, Japanese, etc). So I feel strongly that I know an incredibly good acupuncturist when I receive the treatment. NICOLE IS REALLY REALLY GOOD and I urge you to see for yourself!

I've gotten both acupuncture and massages here, and I especially want to recommend massages with Amy! She's compassionate and really takes the time to make sure the massage matches what you need/want.

Like other reviewers, I’ve had a very poor experience with the billing side of Pekoe. They refused to refund the amount overcharged over their negotiated rate with my insurance company, CareFirst. If you can, go to one of the many other acupuncture providers in DC for a smoother experience. (Which is too bad, because my experience with the acupuncture itself was great, and it helped me recover after a long ultramarathon.)

Go see Peter!! I left feeling as light as a feather. He does a very unique guided massage. 10/10

This is an exploitative practice. Dr. Chen and her billing team refused to submit my claim to insurance despite being an in-network provider and acupuncture being an included benefit. They're happy to charge me more than the approved amount negotiated with my insurance, however, and let me deal with tracking down the reimbursement that will come in at less than what I paid. **Response to the business’ inaccurate response: they have a copy of my official EOB which shows they are in network and my insurance will pay for the benefit. If they don’t like what my insurance covers, then don’t agree to be in their network and waste their misled patients’ time. Here is a quote from Pekoe’s last email to me: “We have received the EOB, which shows almost no pay for acupuncture codes and office codes (false, they just have a lower negotiated rate than what the office wants to charge, which is how insurance works). We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you. This is not because of something you did wrong, it's just that your specific plan is different and it appears to not be paying out as they should for acupuncture codes.”

Look no further than Pekoe and their amazing practitioners (and front desk staff, John and Jahna) for natural healing for your body. I've seen Dr Chen and Dr Nicole Mires (also the owner) for a year now and can't tell you how much they've helped me with my infertility issues, chronic inflammation, insomnia, indigestion and edema. Dr Mires is the most caring and generous and loving acupuncturist; she has become a friend and a comrade in my pregnancy journey. (I've had three miscarriages but am now pregnant with a healthy baby!!) I tell her she's also my therapist and counselor and better than my primary care doctor/ OBs -- because she actually genuinely cares about me and knows my body well. She is a healer and a blessing to me. I cannot recommend her and Pekoe for your naturopathic needs (they have more therapeutic services). The suite is quiet and clean and despite being in the heart of downtown, it's easy to access (right in front of Farragut West Metro) with ample street parking when it's not rush hour. DO YOUR BODY GOOD and Call them to book an appointment right now! Or you can also book conveniently online! PS I am ethnically Korean and have received the best acupuncture treatments in LA/NYC/Korea--many different styles (Korean, Chinese, Japanese, etc). So I feel strongly that I know an incredibly good acupuncturist when I receive the treatment. NICOLE IS REALLY REALLY GOOD and I urge you to see for yourself!

I have been to Pekoe only three times now, but I can't say enough good stuff about it. A little over a year ago, I got off of hormonal birth control. Of course there are a lot of changes to come from doing such thing... including acne, hormonal fluctuations, pms symptoms, mood swings, etc. When these changes came up for me last year, I began seeing an Acupunturist in my hometown to help with my ailments, who I loved dearly. But - I recently moved to DC, and I was initially devastated to have to start new with someone after working for months with another acupuncturist already. Flash forward, I am lucky that I already love my new Acupunturist at Pekoe, who is Dr. Minchu Chen. I am also lucky that my insurance happens to be in cahoots with Pekoe, because that makes it all the more accessible for me. During my initial meeting with Dr. Chen, I was most happy about how she listened close about all of my symptoms and my goals for Acupunture and potentially taking herbs. I think we talked for almost a half hour going through my history and ailments and she just seemed to understand what I wanted & needed. She gives me so much advice that I can take home with me and follow on the daily, I literally sit there with my notes app open and ask questions, which means so much! She has completely personalized my plan of treatment - calming my spirit, strengthening my reproductive system, and soothing my long term hormonal acne that began after getting off of birth control. I am already reaping the physical & mental benefits of going to her. It feels great to be seen and cared for, I highly recommend Pekoe :-)

I really love this place. I've been coming here for a few weeks now and just love the little inviting touches like warm tea available anytime you come in, coloring books, welcoming lobby, friendly staff and knitting tools (so you can help knit a scarf for a local homeless person if you arrive early for your appointment). Besides that there are lots of local crafts on display (and available for sale) and the tea mixes are different, exotic, and divine. There is just always hot tea on hand and I'm a huge fan of good tea. Today I tried an intoxicating mix called Love, Paula which was a mix of lavender, citrus and oatstraw. Local artists work on display at Pekoe includes interesting lithographs and some beautiful local DC photographs and some paintings as well. The practice is located in what looks to be a semidetached converted DC town with tenants upstairs. Located a mere 5-10 minute stroll from the Shaw metro station on the green or yellow line. I have been seeing Dr Chen for acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine regularly for the last few weeks and I'm a huge fan. Where has she been all my life. I'm getting treated for overall well being and a few medical issues and I've seen a huge improvement in the short time that I've been coming. The only reason for the four stars instead of five is that some of the treatment rooms get really loud overhead noise due to upstairs foot traffic which makes it difficult to relax and enjoy the experience. Other than that I highly recommend this establishment for whatever ails you.

Tonight I had the pleasure of visiting Pekoe Acupuncture. I was seen by Andrei. He was very hands on and listened to my concerns. It was a relaxing 90 minutes for my initial intake. The appointment was scheduled easily via the online portal. I also had to complete new patient forms sent prior to my scheduled appointment. I had acupuncture and Qi Dong done known as energy work. It was relaxing and therapeutic. The practice is currently in transition so make sure you confirm the address where you'll be seen. I'd recommend either coming early to find parking or easily catch the metro to the office.

Dr. Chen is wonderful... incredibly intuitive along with kind and caring.... hard to find those attributes in this area. She has helped me with multiple issues including grief and her acupuncture is incredible. She has a patient for life.

Scheduling appointments is a breeze and I always feel well cared for during acupuncture appointments. Nicole is great!

Pekoe is the place to be for an array of healing needs! I always enjoy my time here and look forward to many more visits in the future! Staff are very attentive and skilled!

I started visiting Dr. Chen about 2 years ago. I was interested in treatment to improve my reproductive health and turned to acupuncture as a last resort to getting pregnant after an unsuccessful IVF journey. I began treatment just prior to the pandemic and had a positive experience. The sessions were always very relaxing and I was encouraged by all of the pregnant women that I saw in the office. Though I took a few months off from treatment during the height of the pandemic, I returned to see Dr. Chen in early September 2020 and shortly thereafter I became pregnant. I continued acupuncture treatments throughout my pregnancy. Early in my pregnancy I had some blood loss. Dr. Chen personally purchased foods that she knew would replenish my health and nourish my body. I didn't have any other complications during my pregnancy. I'm certain that acupuncture reduced my swelling and was the reason why I was able to remain active throughout my last trimester. Postpartum, I returned to acupuncture to help regain my pre-pregnancy strength and maintain a healthy milk supply. As a woman of color it is often difficult to find providers that fully listen and respect my health needs. I now see acupuncture as a part of my overall wellness routine and Dr. Chen as a trusted health advisor. I'm grateful for her support and recommend her services to anyone interested in taking an unmedicated approach to health and wellness.

Staff very unresponsive and not the nicest team to work with and follow up. Had a visit with Noah and Andrei, thought the service was hurried and they just wanted to get me out of there and over with. Unnecessarily expensive also.

Wowed!!! This place is something else! I was only in town for the weekend and had a sudden hankering to cleanse my body. I started my adventure by googling "detox foot bath" in DC; this was one of the few results that popped up. Initially, when I called, I was advised there was a late afternoon appointment, but I could not make the time that was available. A little disappointed, I resigned myself to the fact that I would have to wait until I returned home to look for a place locally. Soon after, however, I received a phone call from the therapist herself(!!) advising me that she wanted to confirm what time would be good for me rather then giving me parameters that worked best for her?! She stated she only lived a few blocks away and would be happy to return later in the evening when I was available. This, to me, demonstrated excellent customer service from the start!!! Upon arrival, I noted the newly gentrified artistic neighborhood. Parking was easy across the street at the "Giant" parking garage. You simply have to get your ticket validated; it's free for two hours!! The space, itself, is very inviting and soothing. I was greeted by Arlene with a hot herbal tea and shortly after, brought downstairs to the area where detox footbaths are done. Arlene thoroughly explained how the process worked; she was extremely patient with me as I had many questions. She appeared more than happy to answer them. She was a great caregiver. She included little touches like providing me with strawberry and basil infused water (yum) to hydrate myself as well as crystals to hold onto during my treatment for assistance and healing. It is clear she is genuinely concerned for her clients and has a very kind soul. She did a great job; I felt amazing afterwards. In addition to the foot detox footbath, the is treatment included a soothing warm mat for your lower back, aromatherapy and a short foot massage, too. The treatment was $60 for 60 minutes compared with $75 for 25 minutes at another location I contacted. Pekoe gets a resounding five stars. The spa, especially Arlene, and the person who was smart enough to hire her -- all fantastic! No complaints whatsoever. Kudos! I will be telling my friends in the DC area to hit this place up immediately!!!

This review is for Dr. Minchu Chen. I've had chronic fatigue throughout the past year for multiple reasons. I woke up feeling tired, was unproductive at work, easily stressed, and barely able to handle even very light physical activities throughout the day. I came to Pekoe initially to see Nicole, who then recommended Dr Chen. She prescribed a month of Chinese herbal medicine in conjunction with acupuncture treatment. The prescription was expensive and I was hesitant to do it. But Dr Chen seemed so confident that it'd help me, so I decided to give it a try. It was the best decision ever. A month later the change in my physical health has really been like night and day. My energy is almost back to normal. I can concentrate. I sleep a lot better. I no longer look and feel tired all day long. And I'm continuing getting better. I'm very grateful for Dr Chen and for Pekoe. I also want to comment on a negative review below made by C G. about Dr Chen. I can totally see where she was coming from and I'm sorry that she left with an unpleasant experience. But I think you need to know that Dr Chen is from Taiwan. There's a cultural as well as a personality difference in how people communicate. Dr Chen strikes me as very forthcoming and competent. She has sort of a "tiger mom" vibe. She doesn't hesitate to tell you what she thinks and can come across as a little bossy. But throughout our interaction I never have any doubt that she really cares about her patients and have their best interest in mind. But I don't expect her to be my psychotherapist or take care of my emotional needs. That's not what I come to see her for. Medical issues are often times psychologically sensitive for people because they trigger our deepest insecurity about our own worth and our place in the world. And when we're emotionally triggered, we tend to lash out and blame it on whatever that triggered us. That's quite unfair, but understandable. We're all human. Anyway, I highly recommend Dr Chen.

Noah's acupuncture treatments saved my wife from neurological difficulties. Before coming to Noah, she spent three weeks in John Hopkins' Hospital seeing some of their best neurologists, and participating in their neurological rehab program. Not only did she have tremors, restless legs, and leg pain, but her leg weakness also made it difficult for us to enjoy life. She had a hard time walking without her legs buckling. Our activities had to include as little walking as possible, and even then her legs could still hinder her enjoyment of everyday activities. Then, I insisted that she try working with Noah. We were terribly skeptical, but in as little as two treatments, she saw a significant decline in her pain levels. Her face even looked younger! Pain had literally been aging her. Shortly after that, she began walking more until we were finally able to resume our normal activities. After about 7 months, we are lifelong believers in the power of acupuncture. Noah works with her every week or two to ensure her neurological system continues to function with minimal symptoms. She's also received treatment for acid reflux, an ongoing ear condition, and a few minor ailments. Noah's treatments have proven beneficial in every instance. I too have started seeing Noah for his near magical work. With a multitude of health issues, I'm grateful to have Noah on my side as well. Noah has been incredibly patient throughout a recent toxic mold exposure that has complicated my health. His emotional support has meant a lot on the really stressful days.

Terrible customer service and billing! It has taken more than a month to get insurance verified. The constant excuse is the billing system, 3rd party etc etc. unacceptable especially compared to how professional other available options are in DC. Would not recommend.

Dr. Chen is a phenomenal acupuncturist. I've been to several over the years and I've seen the most benefit after her sessions. I originally came in for another issue which she dramatically helped me with. Then I contracted COVID. After I was no longer positive I went to see her for the after effects that would not go away. Her sessions gave me the most relief. I saw significant improvement compared to fighting it on my own. I highly recommend her. She is very experienced and helps you understand what you need to do to improve when western doctors have said the condition might be persistent or even permanent. Thank you!!

I went to Pekoe for a few months in mid 2019, before relocating to a new city. Nicole helped me tremendously with headache alleviation and pain management. After even one session, I was already feeling the benefits of the acupuncture and the relaxing ambience in their office. 100% recommend Pekoe!

Dr. Chen is nothing short of amazing. She has been successfully treating me for health issues that doctors and hospitals have either dismissed as concerns or say "there isn't really a cause, sometimes it just happens." False, there is a cause for everything! She cares greatly for her patients and has their best interests at heart. Immediately from the first appointment, she reassured me that my issues were treatable and that with time and treatment, all would be well -- and she has proven to be correct. I trust her with my care completely and her expertise in TCM and acupuncture has made immense positive changes to my health. These are changes I have not been able to achieve elsewhere when seeking care/treatment. I feel very lucky to have found Dr. Chen, and I highly recommend her. I have been visiting Pekoe during the COVID-19 pandemic, and am grateful that it is safe to do so. They follow all the federally mandated CDC guidelines with air purifiers, temperature checks, hand sanitization, mask usage, contactless payment, social distancing, etc. I keep my mask on at all times during my visits (and have not been asked to, nor feel pressured to, take my mask off during treatment), and the practitioners and staff also keep their masks on at all times as well. Pekoe does not overbook their appointments, and they sanitize treatment rooms between patients. I have not seen any patients waiting/lingering in the waiting area before or after an appointment; everyone is in and out quickly and the schedule appears to be very streamlined. Pekoe clearly prioritizes patient health to minimize risk as much as possible when providing treatment.

Minchu Chen is my FAVORITE acupuncturist ever. She was born from a lineage of acupuncturists or TCM practitioners, apparently, and really cares about her clients. She uses a deep twist needling technique that truly activates changes in your body. I came here for a plethora of reasons-- extreme fatigue, sleeplessness, headaches, irregular cycles-- and she relieved me of my symptoms. I'm so bummed that my insurance at my new job doesn't cover me anymore. No other acupuncturist I've seen has been as good as Minchu in DC, NYC, and SF!

TL;DR: Ashley works late hours, excellent massage Back was killing me and needed relief. This was around 3pm on a Wednesday. Everyone was closing or booked up. Ashley booked me for 8:45 pm. From the beginning I could tell I was in good hands. She was methodical but applied pressure liberally and built her routine to loosen the muscles around my pain then really dug in for the last 20 minutes or so. Will defiantly book again!

This clinic needs to seriously reconsider its COVID policies. I am grateful for the care I've received there in the past but I no longer feel safe there and won't return until I learn the policies have changed. They are putting their clients at serious risk during a surge in order to pack their appointment schedule. Today, my acupuncturist was running ten minutes late, and so I had the opportunity to see what I did not know before-- that they are booking appointments back to back, with no time in between them at all. I've been encouraged several times to remove my mask during the treatment and while I was reluctant at first, I began to remove it after being told I could not receive treatment in my jaw unless I did so. Today I was told that all patients receive treatment without their masks, unless they insist on keeping them on. The treatment rooms are small rooms in a basement. The clinic relies on air purifiers to make sure they are properly ventilated. Dr. Chen spent about 30 seconds changing over the room before asking me to come in and remove my mask where the prior patient had been breathing without a mask on for almost an hour, until just a minute before. I expressed my discomfort and she told me it was safe because of the air filter and that she had sprayed the table. But air purifiers take 30 min to 2 hours to clean the air in a room. The CDC states that it is not known for certain how long aerosolized COVID stays in the air, but a Harvard Study from October suggested that it was up to 3 hours. Dr. Chen said it was fine because they take your temperature at the front desk. That check has not been sufficient to stop super spreading at a countless number of events. The fact is, there is no circumstance in which it is safe for someone to go into a room and remove their mask directly after someone else spent significant time in there without their mask. I left without receiving treatment. The gaslighting is incredible and I've heard four different versions of the mask policy now. I had no idea that the clinic had such a casual approach to COVID. I returned to the clinic in September, after 6 months of isolating, for a massage to treat trauma after an attempted assault. I was reassured then they were booking an hour between appointments and that noone else was in the building. During the massage, I kept my mask on the entire time. Because I felt safe then, after that, I began to return for regular acupuncture treatment and while the building was a little more crowded than I was comfortable with, I trusted that they had safe policies in place to protect us all. I should not have assumed that the same policies for massage would be in place for acupuncture-- that is, I should have asked-- but I had no idea the difference between the protocol for those treatments would be so huge. I really hope they reconsider their policies because people need treatment at this time more than ever and they should not have to risk their health in order to receive it. UPDATE: The clinic's response was to reprimand me by email for rudeness, suggest that I was unwell because of my concerns, cancel the appointment I had on the calendar, and explain that their policies are actually safe, without addressing the problem with booking appointments back to back. I would not return, but the point is they are highly defensive and dismissive. Prospective patients should know their de facto policy is optional masks except in common spaces. Before going for treatment, I strongly recommend asking how much time they are leaving between appointments and whether or not patients are required to wear masks. But they are unlikely to answer honestly or directly. For example, staff at Pekoe has repeatedly stated they are taking extra measures to clean between patients, though that is not what I saw yesterday. I have called several other clinics, who confirm they are staggering appointments and require masks at all times.

Had an acupuncture session with Noah today and it was AMAZING. From the moment I walked in the door the calm and welcome vibe of the facility put me at ease. The receptionist was extremely polite and provided stellar customer service. I was so pleased and impressed, I booked 5 appointments in advance. THANK YOU FOR EXCELLENT SERVICE

I highly recommend Jessica for a Reiki session. I had my first one ever and it changed my life. I was looking for something to help with my worry, suppressed emotions and insomnia. After one session, I felt relaxed, calm and Zen like. Jessica has great energy, is a fantastic listener and gives DIY solutions you can implement going forward. I am so grateful our paths crossed.

My review is for Liana Brooks-Rubin. I have been suffering from severe endometriosis for over 10 years. I had surgery to remove endometrioma and lesions from my abdomen. I was on birth control for many years and when I quit the endometriosis came back. I was in debilitating pain every month during the first two days of my cycle to the point I was unable to walk or work. I was nauseated and no amount of painkiller helped. I decided to try acupuncture. I am cured! It is miraculous. After one month of two treatments per week I had a period with no pain. Four months later I am still without pain. Liana performed the treatments and prescribed Chinese herbal formulas for me to take as well. Her care has changed my life. I will be forever grateful and hopefully forever her patient. I would recommend her to any women dealing with reproductive issues. She knows what she is doing.

Amy is the absolute best ever. I can't even enjoy other massages now - nothing is as good as Amy! She starts every session asking you what you need - and she truly listens and delivers! Absolutely amazing every time.

My brain goes in 100 different directions at once. Physically, I'm a rock...I work long hours and sleep well. But my head is a circus 24-7. A good, fun, colorful circus, but still...I need help to shut the clowns up sometimes. Enter Nicole Mires at Pekoe One. I don't, for one minute, understand how acupuncture, chi, energy flow, and all the nuances of Eastern medicine work, but then again, I don't really know how to do heart surgery either, but I DO KNOW that when I went to Nicole and told her that I was going in several directions and going nowhere, she listened in depth, evaluated the best path, and proceeded to work magic. Strategically placed acupuncture needles (which do NOT hurt, so you can put the "Oh, I'm afraid of needles" shtick aside), Reiki, scent, and light stretching and massage were all incorporated in helping to calm my hurricane pattern of thought and center my mind with my body. Beginning with a visit a week for 4 weeks then tapering down to a visit once a month, I still have the raging energy and creativity, but Nicole's art has helped me to move with the tide and provided me with a much more streamlined and productive path. The light aches and pains that are part of my profession were also attended to and alleviated as well. Aside from being a very skilled practitioner of Chinese Medicine, Nicole is also a warm, friendly, positive person and above all, a professional. She is a joy to work with and visiting her office is something I truly look forward too every month, simply because I feel centered and good when I leave. I can't recommend her services highly enough. Working with Nicole has been such a positive step in caring for my body and mind.

I think it's important to start this review by saying that, prior to my experience at Pekoe, I was an acupuncture skeptic and terrified of needles. However, at a moment in my life that I was experiencing terrible, almost debilitating anxiety, I was desperate for any sort of reprieve. In an effort to minimize the anxiety I was feeling, I tried all sorts of things, including: upping my exercise, probiotics, cutting out caffeine, cutting out alcohol, a low fat diet, and meditation. While I felt temporary relief thanks to all of those things, my anxiety didn't seem to be getting any better. Then, during one of my many hours of googling "anxiety relief," I came across acupuncture as a suggestion. At this point I was willing to try ANYTHING, even if it meant facing my worst fear - needles. All of that said, I unwillingly (and simultaneously willingly) made an appointment with Nicole. I went in with an open, yet skeptical, mind. I had no expectations other than "maybe this might help." And damn, all I can say is Nicole is such a pro! She is welcoming, takes a detailed history of your health, and didn't show any judgment. She reminded me of my favorite hippy, free spirited aunt...and that's a compliment. Acupuncture isn't a cure-all but it helped me in an ineffable way. I walked out feeling better than I had in several weeks and I felt good for days after. For those like me who have a fear of needles, I closed my eyes and let her do her work. The needles didn't hurt at all and I felt extremely relaxed after I walked out. I have since gone back for a second treatment and I have a third appointment booked.

I wanted to give a little update to my last review. Pekoe was my first experience with Acupunture and boy I didn't know just how great I had it there with Nicole! I have recently moved and am now in search of a new acupuncturist and it has made me appreciate all the nice touches at Pekoe. The nice tables, the fact they don't make you lay on paper, the relaxing lighting, the use of essential oils along with a little head and shoulder rub to help you settle and relax. I could honestly go on and on. Nicole is simply amazing from her compassionate and genuine attitude to her healing treatments. I don't think it gets much better than this place!

I have never struggled this hard to write a review before, but I want to do this one justice... I came to Liana Brooks-Rubin for my first acupuncture ever about 4 months ago after reading so many glowing reviews about her on Yelp. At that point, I didn't have a diagnosis for my health problems but now I know it is probably ALS. I went in with zero expectations and not much knowledge about acupuncture but it had been recommended to me several times because I had been complaining for months about tight hamstrings (so tight they would "pop" with each step). I got off the table for the first time and...total relief. NO popping. I was AMAZED and became a believer on the spot. I have been back to Liana every week since then. She has performed similar miracles on my shoulder injury from a fall, integrated Chinese Herbal Medicine, and has continued to work on my overall condition in ways I don't even understand. Acupuncture is symptom relief so some of the nagging stiffness and soreness comes back between visits but I have definitely seen improvement over the long-term. Liana has become a central part of my health journey -- body, mind, and spirit. Acupuncture is the one treatment that has actually helped my physical condition and Liana administers it with such care and skill that I can easily turn my attention to relaxing and recuperating during the visit. She truly cares deeply about her patients and goes above and beyond every single time I come in. I have often felt that she's a better therapist than my own! I am truly and forever grateful for Liana. You should go see her. You will not regret it!!

I just had a horrible experience with Jeff at Pekoe. I was suffering from a migraine for about 10 days and scheduled a 90 minute with Jeff. I indicated the area of pain and proceeded to let him work his magic, so to speak. About an hour in, he still had not gotten to the affected area so I requested that he focus with deeper pressure on the area that was bothering me. He then switched methods -which I didn't request- and neither of them really worked for me. He then said he could apply more pressure in a little while after he put heat on my back. I asked him to remove the heat because I was sweating and I wanted to apply deep deep pressure. He then began to ask that I trust him and hat he knows what he is doing (I never suggested that he did). I just like deep pressure on the affected are and wanted him to apply more pressure. He attempted todo this finally but it wasn't in be right area and we only had 2 minutes left at that point. In my experience, the customer should be able to direct the level of pressure and co-create and experience that is pleasurable. He then said thank you and left. Didn't direct where to go or come back in to discuss the treatment. I shared my experience with the receptionist and she listened. As I was about to pay Jeff comes out and begins raising his voice in my face about the experience. Mind you I was trying not to disrespect him and didn't. I was speaking softly to the front desk person and was about to pay. Then he got in my face. Completely unprofessional and not a great masseuse. Don't book this guy!

Fantastic team at Pekoe! I've been a patient of Nicole's for a little less than a year. She's been a fantastic care giver and has treated a couple of lifelong issues with tremendous success, issues I had long given up on. The staff is very friendly and welcoming. In short order you'll get to know everyone there. All of them are interested in finding care that works for you, on your terms. They're not pushy and always willing to listen. These are the folks you're looking for!

Dr. Ciprian was absolutely amazing. I had been suffering from TMJ as well as muscle tightness and soreness. I love that Dr. Ciprian uses muscle testing to identify the correct ailment spot in order to properly treat it. He's truly a chiropractic genius and I am so thankful I found him.

I've been receiving treatment from Nicole for a little over a year, and now that I'm moving out of the area, I realize that one of the things I will miss the most about living in the DC region are the moments of peace, relaxation, and comfort I found in her office. As a patient with a serious intestinal disorder, I've been told by numerous doctors that my only options for relief were surgical in nature -- removing entire portions of my digestive system in the *hope* that the disease won't spread to other areas. Instead, through working with Nicole I've been able to adjust my diet and lifestyle to reduce my periods of inflammation. Every time I've seen her for a treatment, I've felt like a kid again with no intestinal troubles for days afterwords. I simply can't recommend her enough!

Accupuncture has been a godsend for my weak ankles. The pain has been drastically reduced and now I can't sing it's praises enough

Amy is the only person I will go to for massages now--truly she is the best and has just the kindest spirit. She went OVER the massage time to make sure she gave the best experience possible, you can truly tell she cares about her clients. Also, the price is extremely reasonable. She was very knowledge about alignment and the body and make my afternoon visit the best it could have been. Highly recommend!

I recommend Nicole VERY highly! I've been seeing her for about 6 weeks for a couple of issues: 1) persistent, nagging pressure in my left side below my ribs. 2) hemorrhoids/fissure (the bigger issue). I was skeptical that Nicole would be able to help with these issues, but I'm happy to report that I've seen some improvement in issue #1 and dramatic improvement in issue #2. I had hemorrhoid surgery last July and the recovery went fine until I developed a fissure. I've been in pain ever since and my colorectal guy couldn't seem to resolve the problem. Nicole did with a combination of Chinese herbs and acupuncture. I was at the end of my rope because of the constant irritation. But, I'm so much better now, it's amazing! Nicole is professional, kind, caring, funny, and very personable. I liked her instantly. It's been an interesting and beneficial relationship and I would send everybody I know to see her.

Dr. Chen has helped me tremendously with my sleep issues and anxiety. She has taken the time to listen to my symptoms and to support my journey towards optimal health. Her approach of using a combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine has proved effective both for my sleep and overall mood. I am so thankful to have found a trusted practitioner!

I have been going to Pekoe for the last 2 years for all kinds of wonderful treatments. When I get that crick in my shoulder that generally pops back up every couple of months, I can always count on Jeff to work it out. I have less need for Acupuncture so don't get it as often, but when I do need a lil extra centering in my life, Nicole has always provided amazing and caring treatments, I love the essential oils she uses! And the Psychic Reiki treatments I have had with Jessica had me on cloud nine for the 2 days following! Highly recommend Pekoe to anyone looking for an awesome group of healers in the DC area. You won't find a better team!

Ashley(for Reiki) a fellow fire sign was amazing, I explained obstacles and she opened doors/chakras...you won't be disappointed !

I have been seeing Noah for 3 months and the benefits are undeniable. Each acupuncture session is like a reset button for my stress level, leaving me peaceful and ready to face what the world has to throw at me. The impact on my allergies is dramatic. He could relieve sinus congestion during my session and I found myself needing fewer and fewer medications. The allergist who has been treating me for years was amazed by the results. I cannot recommend him highly enough. With BCBS recognizing him as a preferred provider this is a no brainer!

I've been benefiting from Noah's acupuncture for about 2 years now and would highly recommend Pekoe to those who are familiar with this type of treatment and, especially, to the skeptics or uninitiated. It is worth trying. I had been suffering from chronic eye problems for several years. After visiting a variety of "traditional" eye/corneal specialists and rotating from ineffective to ineffective medication I was extremely frustrated. My wife recommended acupuncture and set up an appointment with Noah. I admit that I was a little dubious, but after my second visit my eyes were significantly better. Each time I went the benefits lasted longer. I still visit Noah every three weeks or so, but my worst days are now equivalent to my average days before I started the acupuncture treatments. Noah has used a holistic approach that has included a detox program and a very helpful probiotic regimen. Pekoe's location is convenient, the appointment hours are flexible, the place is clean, and Noah's co-workers seem to share his welcoming approach. Based on my experience, I would recommend anyone who is dealing with a chronic issue and is reaching a point of frustration with western medicine, to give Pekoe a try.

Liana is a tremendous acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist. She is a highly educated and competent practitioner of Chinese medicine which is employs to great success in her clinical practice. If you are looking for a great practitioner, you've found one.

My favorite DC massage therapist is here - Jeff Kuykendall. I followed him here from Buddha B. The space here is huge. The room was warm and nice and prices very good esp compared to other "spa" services in the area. Highly recommend for folks wanting a serious massage for chronic back/muscle aches.

I cannot say enough good things about Nicole and the staff at Pekoe. I've followed Nicole with each office location move, and it makes me happy to see her settled into her space in Shaw. I originally tried acupuncture to help with digestion issues, however each therapy session is much more holistic. She never rushes through a session and always arms me with additional information or tools to help treat whatever issues I'm having. I'm so thankful to have found someone who listens and is compassionate. I highly recommend her and while I haven't seen any of the other practitioners, I imagine she only surrounds herself with good company, so you can't go wrong with seeing anyone at Pekoe.

Noah is very skilled and professional. I felt very confident in his expertise.

I've had three amazing massages with Ashley and will be going back for more. She is an incredible massage therapist. I always feel incredibly relaxed after each massage. The space is very relaxing. I've had great interactions with everyone who works there.

I was really looking forward to making this a place I could frequent. The reviews were great and the prices weren't cheap but fair. First, the massages had a wait list so I was called to set up the appointment. The person that called me was a little icy. Not exactly the friendliest but I still wasn't necessarily alarmed. I continued to schedule that appointment and a reiki appointment that was also wait listed. The day of the massage I arrived about 10-15 minutes early. It was an evening appointment. When I arrived there was no one there to greet me. Ok, it's a later appointment I still wasn't alarmed. However, I felt odd since the location feels like you're in someone's home. I waited, waited and waited and still not a single human being appeared. I found myself wandering this space trying to find a human after waiting 30+ minutes from the time I arrived and 15-20 minutes after my appointment was supposed to start. I finally went downstairs and saw that someone was in the middle of a private yoga session. I went back upstairs to wait some more. Finally the massage therapist came upstairs with a client, that I guess was late causing her to be late for my appointment. While the massage was interesting, not necessarily relaxing because of the stretching, I did appreciate it and she was very skilled. Due to the start of my appointment and being left to my own devices upstairs I decided to cancel future appointments with them. It just felt so off and not exactly a relaxing experience for the prices that they charge.

Three words: "Treat, Yo, Self!" At Pekoe the staff is very warm, friendly, and professional. I went in for Thai Yoga Therapy and an Aqua Detox Foot Bath. Now I have Dahlia Shaaban and Arlene Manier to blame for being Ultra relaxed.

I was originally skeptical about acupuncture having never tried it before, but I have since discovered acupuncture with Nicole at Pekoe to be a useful, no-side-effect, tool for wellness. My experience with Nicole and acupuncture has been extremely positive. Nicole is friendly, knowledgeable and professional. She has a comprehensive website, too: http://www.pekoe1.net. The office itself is in a great location-- near Farragut North Metro and many bus lines (32, 36, N2, N4, N6, 42, Georgetown Circulator). She offers appointments after 5 pm which is useful. Also, her rates are competitive (and well worth it). I highly recommend seeing Nicole if you are considering acupuncture.

My experience with traditional doctors had pretty much hit a wall (i.e. they would basically tell me to find different work, intensify my exercise routine and take medication). While I couldn't articulate the deficiencies with these allopathic solutions, I knew something was lacking. I first came to Noah Samuels (LAc) at Pekoe Acupuncture over 2 years ago. I had originally come to Noah due to occupational work stress, anxiety, depressed mood and (later come to find out) some problematic cholesterol levels. As opposed to impersonally addressing and managing symptoms, Noah is more interested in approaching diagnostics from the optic of holistic health. Throughout my process of working with Noah I have come to realize that my underlying issues were multi-layered and had built up over a number of years. Noah's approach is more akin to a mixture of counseling and detective work, rather than a brief visit followed by a prescription. He has always taken great care to understand my health issues by looking at test-derived data, lifestyle, family history, and diet; and never one in isolation. I can often discern that Noah's approach toward my health issues incorporates a strong underpinning of eastern medicine which (I think) is so pervasively ignored amongst most health care providers. More specifically, techniques that are designed to enable the body to self heal (vice treat a sickness). After two years I'm completely off medication, rebalanced food intake to support my individual nutritional needs, and encounter far less anxiety. In short - I enjoy a higher quality of life. Although this treatment process is slower and involves greater personal commitment than popping a pill, I sleep better knowing that I've pursued a path of healing, vice managing symptoms through medications with side effects. If you are searching for new answers to a chronic health condition and are ready to take responsibility for your health- Noah is a gem of a resource for Washingtonians.

I agree with William M. and visit every time I need a boost. Now she's close to my office and can stop by even more. Acupuncture is such a great stress reliever! Nicole is great and I would highly recommend her.