A private acupuncture practice built around clinical complexity and dual-credential care.
Background
Dr. Rolan Shlain, PharmD, L.Ac.
I am a licensed acupuncturist practicing in New York City. The combination of Eastern and Western training is uncommon — and it shapes everything about how I practice.
Before acupuncture, I worked in clinical pharmacy settings where I developed a deep familiarity with pharmacological management of complex conditions. That background informs how I assess patients, read their medication lists, and communicate with their physicians.
My clinical focus is on complex cases: patients managing serious diagnoses, layered medication regimens, and care teams that need to work in the same direction.
The Dual-Credential Difference
Medication review is part of every intake.
Patients arriving on complex regimens often want to add acupuncture or herbal medicine to their care, and the question of how those interact rarely gets asked.
I review every patient's medications and supplements before treatment begins. I can identify herb-drug interactions, flag contraindications, and communicate findings to the referring physician in clinical language.
For a physician sending a patient here, that means acupuncture care delivered with pharmacological oversight — and a practitioner who will call if something in the chart concerns me.
Principle 01
Strengthening, not supplementing.
Acupuncture here is not an add-on. It is a primary mode of care, structured with defined clinical goals, measurable outcomes, and built-in reassessment points.
Principle 02
Complexity is the specialty.
This practice is built for patients whose cases require cross-disciplinary thinking. The most rewarding referrals are the ones that haven't responded fully to conventional care alone.
Principle 03
Communication is standard.
Clinical notes, superbills, and care coordination are not optional services. They are built into how this practice operates for every patient.
Frequently Asked Questions
This practice does not bill insurance directly. HSA and FSA cards are accepted at the time of service, which for many patients is the simplest option. A detailed superbill is also provided after every session — including CPT codes, diagnosis codes, and provider NPI — for out-of-network PPO submission. Many patients receive partial reimbursement, particularly for neurological, pain, and oncology indications. Ask your insurer about your out-of-network acupuncture benefits before your first appointment.
Yes — HSA and FSA cards are accepted at the time of service, the same as at any medical office. Acupuncture is listed by the IRS as a qualified medical expense when performed by a licensed practitioner for the treatment of a medical condition. You'll receive an itemized receipt for your records. Eligibility depends on your individual plan, so check with your plan administrator if you have questions about your specific account.
The primary difference is pharmacological oversight. Every intake includes a full medication and supplement review, which matters both for safety and for coordinating care with the rest of your medical team. The structure is also different: care here follows a defined program with a set session count, measurable outcomes, and a built-in point to reassess whether it is working.
The first appointment runs 90 minutes — about 45 minutes of intake followed by 45 minutes of treatment. We review your full health history, current medications and supplements, and what you're hoping to address, and then we begin. You'll leave having been treated, with a clear sense of what the course of care looks like before committing to anything.
Email or call directly. A brief clinical summary is helpful — diagnosis, current medications, and what you're hoping acupuncture can address. I'll follow up with the patient directly, conduct the intake, and can send a summary note back to your office after the initial assessment. NPI is available on request. Superbills are provided after every session.
Yes — and this is precisely the patient population this practice is designed for. Patients in active chemotherapy, on opioids or psychiatric medications, or recovering from stroke are all well within scope. The clinical credential means every medication interaction is reviewed before treatment begins. Complex pharmacological situations are not a contraindication here — they're the norm.
The practice is located at 314 W 14th St, 5th Floor, Chelsea, Manhattan 10014. Sessions are by appointment only. You can book directly through the online scheduling page or contact me by email or phone.
Chinese herbal medicine is available as an adjunct to acupuncture treatment. However, herbs are never recommended without first conducting a full medication review. In complex cases — particularly oncology and polypharmacy patients — herbal medicine may be deferred until the clinical picture is clear. Patient safety in this context is the priority, not completing a formula.
The first visit is $300 for 90 minutes, which includes both the intake and your first treatment. Program pricing depends on the clinical program selected and is discussed during the intake appointment rather than listed publicly. All programs include defined session counts, built-in reassessment, and superbills for out-of-network insurance submission after every session.