Hi! I’m Dr. Serena Ma, your naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist in New York City.
My practice
I offer individualized holistic care integrating naturopathic and Oriental medicines. My biggest asset is that I truly listen. I love piecing together your health story and figuring out the best approach for you.
Your in-person appointments will take place in my office where I only see patients one at a time so I can fully support you during your session.
I provide you with a safe space to relax.
In-person and remote options
My office is conveniently located in Manhattan. Can’t make it into the office? No worries – I’ve got you covered with a virtual appointment.
My services
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Naturopathic Medicine
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Nutrition
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Herbal Medicine
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Acupuncture
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Cupping
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Moxibustion
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Serena Ma, ND, MS, LAc
I grew up in the heart of the (polluted) Texas oil industry, and as a kid, I suffered from strange skin reactions, allergies, borderline asthma and hormonal imbalances, that Western MDs failed to diagnose, or even address. So I know how frustrating it is when it comes to figuring out health issues - especially when you feel like you’re not being heard. With each client, I listen and carefully examine lifestyle factors that may be contributing, and I address these. I take the naturopathic principles seriously. Ultimately, my goal is to figure out the cause. Once I know what, then I know what must be done to heal. And - knowledge is power. My biggest job is to empower, to teach, to motivate my patients to implement changes. To do this, I take time to explain the disease and the healing process.
I look forward to working with you!
"After only a few sessions with [Dr. Ma], she was able to solve these digestive issues that I spent years struggling with, and in hindsight, misdiagnosed by “Western” doctors. Highly recommend!”
"Dr. Ma has helped me with acupuncture treatments during both of my pregnancies. I found a huge benefit in seeing Dr. Ma. I not only valued her expertise, but I also appreciated her kind manner that made each session enjoyable."
FAQs
Does acupuncture hurt?
I have many patients who are needle-phobic yet still come in for acupuncture regularly. Acupuncture needles are much smaller than the needles used for blood draws or for injections. You may feel a pinch upon insertion of the needle. Then afterwards, there may be a deep dull ache or a heaviness in the area. Most people find acupuncture to be deeply relaxing and even fall asleep during treatment.
Where are the needles placed?
All over! Since acupuncture channels run up and down the body, I usually place needles in the legs, arms, abdomen or back, head, face, and sometimes ears. So if you are coming in for knee pain, expect needles in other areas of your body.
How often do I need to come in to see results?
This all depends on what you are coming in for. Generally, I see the best results with acupuncture if you come in weekly for at least 5-6 weeks. You can then space the appointments to every 2+ weeks, depending on results. Some patients come as often as twice per week for acute issues; others come in once every 4-6 weeks.
For non-acupuncture patients, I recommend a follow-up 2-3 months after the initial appointments to check in on progress.
Can I get a full physical with labs done at your office?
No, since naturopathic doctors are not licensed in New York, I cannot do your annual physical or order labs here. Additionally NY has archaic laws prohibiting many non-conventional labs so those are difficult to order.
Do you take insurance?
No, I do not take insurance; however, you may be eligible for reimbursement from your insurance company if it accepts out-of-network acupuncture. I will provide you with a superbill for you to submit for reimbursement.
Do you take flexible spending or health savings accounts?
Yes, acupuncture is covered under flexible spending accounts and health-savings accounts. Most FSAs and HSAs provide a debit card which you can use to pay for services.
Do you have evening or weekend hours?
Yes, I am available weekday evenings (expect for Tuesdays) and on Sundays.