For thousands of years, acupuncture has been one of the most valued and enduring practices in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Trusted by ancient emperors, scholars, and everyday families alike, it has long been used to restore balance, ease illness, and strengthen the body’s natural ability to heal. Today, that same time-honored tradition continues through the work of Dr. Jennifer Liang, a licensed acupuncturist and TCM practitioner who has dedicated her career to helping patients in both California and New York.
Dr. Liang has been practicing acupuncture for decades, carrying forward a family tradition that began long before she opened her clinic: Kingsfoil Acupuncture in Goshen, New York. In an exclusive interview with Vision Times, she shared her personal journey, the conditions she treats most often, and why so many patients are turning to acupuncture as an alternative or complement to Western medicine.
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A family tradition of healing
Dr. Liang traces her career back to both her mother’s influence and her early years in California. “My name is Jennifer Liang, an acupuncturist now based in Goshen, New York. I used to work in California, and I’m a licensed acupuncture doctor. My mom and I have both been acupuncturists since 1997.”
She says she discovered early on just how wide a range of people seek acupuncture, from those managing chronic pain to women addressing reproductive health concerns. Over time, she saw how attitudes shifted, from curiosity about “Qi” and meridians to genuine confidence in the results.
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She recalled one patient who arrived unsure whether acupuncture or Western medicine could better manage her back pain. After forgetting to take her muscle relaxants one weekend, the patient reported that the pain kept waking her up through the night. But after receiving treatment with Dr. Liang, her condition quickly improved. Eventually, the patient realized she no longer wanted to rely on medication. Later, she returned with surprising news: “Oh, I forgot my medicine again, but this time there was no pain at night. I can sleep through.”
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Dr. Liang said stories like this are common. “It tells them that acupuncture, TCM, meridians, which were around for more than a thousand years, can really help people.”
Conditions patients seek help for
When asked which disorders she treats most, Dr. Liang says pain remains the No. 1 reason patients come through her doors.
“Most people come to me because they’re experiencing various types of pain, such as headache and joint pain. While lower back pain is the most common, others include arthritis or knee pain, ankle pain, and even foot pain. But we also treat women disorders, such as infertility and menstrual disorder or menopause; many women say they experience worsening pain during their menstruation cycles.”
She also works with more complex neurological and chronic conditions. “Sometimes I treat patients recovering from stroke, sometimes I treats Parkinson’s disease,” said Dr. Liang. “The treatment depends on the disease’s state. ‘Good or bad’, will be handled differently.”
Her patients range in age from teens to seniors in their eighties, and treatment frequency depends heavily on the severity of the condition.
“If they’re young adults in their thirties or late twenties, they can recover after one or two sessions of treatments,” said Dr. Liang. “If they are in pretty rough shape, it may take a longer treatment plant. Usually, we see patients twice or three times a week, depending on the patient’s condition. After two weeks, we re-evaluate.”
How she diagnoses patients
Dr. Liang combines traditional Chinese diagnostic tools with Western medical reports. “We usually check patients breathing pauses and examine their tongue. If they have MRI, CT scan, or blood test results, we will go through those as well. It’s all based on the types of ailments they’re suffering from.”
For patients with existing Western diagnoses, such as diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure, she carefully reviews their medication history. “For example, if this patient takes a blood thinner medicine, like aspirin, they may easily bruise and bleed. Having this information is important because then we know why they are bleeding.”
Dr. Liang says herbal medicine can also be added for certain conditions, particularly digestive and reproductive issues. “For example, we do supplement herbs for patients suffering from infertility issues. And for some patients with digestion problems, such as bow diseases, they may have sine pain or acid reflux, which we’ll add herbs to in addition to acupuncture,” she says, adding, “It all depends on patient condition and if they need it.”
Measuring progress
Dr. Liang evaluates outcomes by asking simple yet meaningful questions to gauge improvement and tweak the treatment plans as needed. “We ask them questions like: Can you sleep well? Do you have appetite? Can you move functionally? Can you do exercise routinely?”
Many of her patients arrive after exhausting standard medical interventions in hopes of avoiding more invasive procedures like surgery. “For example, for lower back pain, most of my patients have already seen pain management doctors before visiting me. They’ve seen physical therapists or chiropractors. And half of patients do not want to go through surgery first.”
She described an 89-year-old patient who had been taken off her medications due to kidney risks. “She couldn’t find anything that would help her, and the doctor said that if she continued taking her medicine, it could kill her kidneys.” That’s why Dr. Liang encourages patients to take an active role in recovery. “I usually ask them to do some homework. For example, I’ll teach them to do some stretching exercises and show them how to prepare healthier meals at home.”
Treating infants and young children
While acupuncture is not typically performed on very young infants, she notes that gentler approaches can help. “You can do a little bit of massage and herb treatment for a six-month-old. In most cases, we will teach their parents to do some massage for the kid. If it is really serious, we will send them to hospitals.”
Dr. Liang emphasizes that pediatric care in TCM is always handled with caution. For babies and toddlers, the focus is less on needling and more on safe, supportive techniques that ease discomfort and strengthen the body naturally. She says parents often appreciate learning simple at-home methods they can use between visits, giving them tools to soothe common issues like mild digestive trouble, tension, or irritability.
Dr. Liang currently practices in Goshen throughout the week and sees additional patients in Middletown on Saturdays. “I have my own office in Goshen, New York. I usually see patients from Monday to Saturday in Goshen New York, and Saturday afternoon in Northern Medical Center (Middletown),” she said. “All my patients come in by appointment, no walk-in patients.”
Dr. Liang’s reflections on traditional medicine
Licensing requirements vary by state, but Dr. Liang explained the general path: “You need to go to school to get a Master’s degree in California. In New York, I don’t think you need a Master’s degree, but you’ll need a high school graduation diploma and finish certain hours of training. I believe it’s more than 2,000 hours of training… Then you can get the license, but you need to pass the test first.”
Studying Chinese medicine offered her a window into the past. “When I studied Chinese medicine, I felt like it was opening a window. I could see how people lived their lives thousands of years ago,” said Dr. Liang, adding, “Their life was very simple… in the old days people were peaceful. In fact, if we can be more peaceful, we would have less stress.”
Though most treatment plans are covered by insurance, coverage can vary, says Dr. Liang. “Most acupuncture can be covered by insurance, but not always. It also depends on the insurance company and the kind of insurance you have. Medicaid or Medicare do not cover licensed acupuncture. We only accept private insurance.”
Whether it’s stubborn back pain, fertility support, or simply the desire to feel stronger and sleep better, Kingsfoil Acupuncture offers a holistic path toward long-term wellness. Dr. Liang invites new patients to schedule a free consultation and learn how acupuncture can help restore balance and improve quality of life.
Kingsfoil Acupuncture
75 Main Street, Suite 1R
Goshen, NY, 10924
Tel: 845-682-0809
jenniferacupuncture.com
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