Hui Lin Dba Acupuncture Clinic

I can’t believe I’ve waited this long to write this overdue review but nevertheless here it is. I AM OBSESSED with how wonderful these two miracle workers have been with my neck, back and shoulder problems. I have a recurring neck issue what would spasm and seize up for days at a time due to a car accident many years ago. I used to live down the street and thought I’d give them a try one day out of desperation. I could hardly move so seeing that I lived ½ block from them I gave it a shot. OH MY GOD, I couldn’t believe after one session I had mobility and range back in my neck and even better, my shoulder injury that I thought I would just have to live with was remedied as well. (Shoulder injury from working out improperly and at its worst, wouldn’t allow me to raise my shoulder arms straight up and made it impossible for me to put on my sports bra). What they did for me was agressive accupuncture with electrical stimulation and then a deep tissue massage for 10minutes. Whatever they did, it worked and continued to work whenever my crick-​in-​the-​neck would come back.
Here are my caveats and if you can get over those, then this is your place:
— I paid $ 80 out of pocket per visit and didn’t bother with insurance
— While the wife speaks English just fine, her partner/husband’s English is very limited
— The office is VERY low-​brow and full of Chinese herbs, random newspapers and houseplants.
— The office has two patient rooms that are practically on top of eachother, so there isn’t a ton of privacy

Dr. Lin and her husband are amazing healers.
I went in with severe pain in my right hip, IT band, calf and achilles. The treatment was a mix of acupuncture and massage that lasted for about 75 min.
The atmophere is not spa-​like, so if you are looking for a spa this is not the place. That being said, I left without any pain and had full mobility in every area that was bothering me prior. I will continue to see Dr. Lin on a regular basis. Her pricing is fair and most importantly her treatments really work!

I went to Dr. Lin for severe back pain that was radiating down my left leg. I went to an MD who specialist in back pain and he diagnosed me with degenerative disc disease as well as a ruptured disc in my lower back. I initially had a cortisone injection, which lasted for 3 months until my back pain came back with a vengeance. After suffering for another 3 months I was then told I should have another cortisone injection «that may not work» or back surgery. At that time a friend who had suffered from severe back pain for years referred me to Dr. Lin. After my initial visit I was told it would take approximately 6 visits to relieve my pain. Sure enough after the 6^th visit my pain went away completely and it has been 4 years since my initial visit and I have yet experience any residual back pain. My husband is a physician, so I have great confidence in traditional medicine, but since visiting Dr. Lin I now also have great respect for the healing properties of well-​done acupuncture. Thank you Dr. Lin for healing my back and teaching me the value of acupuncture.

STAY AWAY! Dr. Lin is a Fraud!!!
Here is my experience. I go in for my first acupuncture session and felt unsure if I would return. Her office seems out of place for the Burlingame area. It looks more suitable for SF Chinatown. The rooms are divided up by curtains and if you want a relaxing treatment then this is not the place for you because you can hear everything from the phone ringing and other patients talking or screaming from pain!
Nothing but the facts: I have insurance and my co-​pay is $ 5, but Dr. Lin wants me to pay $ 20 so I can get the added benefit of acupressure. I was a little skeptical about this, but I was in pain due to TMJ so I fell for her scam. Not knowing exactly what acupressure was and how it would enhance my treatment I decided to give it a try anyway. To my surprise, the acupressure treatment was nothing more than her husband putting his hands on my neck and check for a few minutes… hmmmm, I was expecting a lot more. It didn’t do anything but leave me feeling like I was being ripped off and even more stressed than before. I have been to other acupuncturists and none have ever asked me to pay more money for what she calls acupressure. I have always gotten some kind of deep tissue massage with the treatment.
Feeling cheated, I called my insurance company to find out if acupressure was covered and they said «yes». Well, I was stupid enough to go back for the second and last time thinking that I will only be charged $ 5, but I was wrong. She charged $ 20 again for the most pathetic acupressure. I even asked him for more pressure, but he did it for a few seconds and went back to just putting his hands on my cheeks. How frustrating. Anyway, she argued with me that my insurance does not cover it because she doesn’t get paid for it.
That was not the worst part, yes there is more. After I got home I noticed three needles sticking out of my head. I bled quite a bit after taking the needles out and one of them was bent. Why the F**k was it bent? The only reason could be that she stuck the at needle so deep that it hit my skull!!!
Anyway, after looking at my online statement medical, I can see why because she tried billing it as «physical therapy». WTF!!!
NEVER EVER GO HERE!!! Read Jackie D.‘s review if you don’t believe me.

**BUYER BEWARE!
Scam. Sketchy billing practices. The first time you go they randomly tell you a cash amount because they don’t trust you enough to run your insurance and bill you the difference like any normal professional business. She actually tried to get me to go to an atm to fork over 70.00. This is after I told her I know my insurance covers 90% and I usually pay between $ 7 – 10 bucks a session!
I agreed to $ 30 then expected to be paid back when she realized I was not lying to her but the next time (and last time) I went she argued with me and asked me for $ 30 again even after I had given her a few days to call and verify my insurance.
IF A SESSION COST $ 70 AND MY INSURANCE COVERS 90% YOU SHOULD BE CHARGING ME AN OFFICE VISIT FEE OF $ 7. I’M NOT AN IDIOT.
When I asked her why she would do that as the treatment couldn’t possibly cost $ 300 because I thought it was 70 (!) she pretended she didn’t understand me and talked about how not every clinic does acupressure?! Ok so that costs $ 200??. I told her I wanted to wait until I knew what she billed my insurance and what they paid out before making another appointment.
Guess what? They NEVER even made a claim/​billed my insurance. That was 3 weeks ago. Its a total scam. I bet anyone who walks in there and says they don’t have insurance, and what is the regular cash price for a session would not be told $ 300! Nobody would pay that!
Out of principle alone I want my money back and tried to call today and the man hung up on me. Now another Acupuncturist is getting a 90% payout on unlimited sessions from my insurance. I go 2 or 3 times a week. I have great insurance! Big mistake on their part!

I’ve been going to Dr. Hui Lin since 2003 when I had the most severe allergy attacks that almost put me in the hospital. I’m not the kind of person to go often to the doctor, but that winter and spring, I pretty much was there every week or 2 to keep me breathing.
Since that time, I go back once or twice a year for a tuneup. Dr. Lin and her husband have a small, family run business that serves their patients well. Their prices are what I’d expect in SF Chinatown, usually $ 70 for a complete accupuncture session and some ACCUPRESSURE! thrown in for the complete fix you up treatment, time: about 90 minutes. Always, there are herbs, not may favorite, but they can help, so take ‘em.
If you are seeking a serene, spa-​like, Zen atmosphere with free tea or wine, this is not it. This is a down to business type of place located in a funky little office building over retail shops along Broadway Avenue in Burlingame. I have recommend this office to everyone I know on the Peninsula and anyone who has tried it swears by it as do I.
Dr. Lin is female, speaks English well and really listens. She translates for her husband and they make a pleasant, communicative team. I“ve been there for everything from allergy to sprain complaints and always left feeling at least 75% better.
~ Ms. Ali