Rong-Sheng Lin

The doctor worked magic on my allergies. Two sessions and I was able to breathe for the summer. Mind you I exhausted everything from Allegra, claritin, zertax, and steroids for my season allergies. And so I made the dreadful appointment to return this year. It’s true the wait is ridiculous. I go to the flushing office. I know going in that my 330 appointment really means sign in, leave my phone number and go food shopping in flushing because like always he won’t call my name till probably 530. But closer to 630.
So go there knowing the wait is ridiculous. They stagger appointments but he really does help. I’ve been there for dislocation my elbow and him working on my residual pain and of course the curse of allergies.

I’ve been going to Dr. Rong-​Sheng Lin for years for allergy relief. I used to be on multiple allergy medications (spring and fall allergies) and would still suffer from severe allergy symptoms. After three sessions of acupuncture, I was «cleansed/​detoxed» and medication free for a year. Since then I go back every year or so before allergy season hits and I haven’t had a problem since. For that relief, I’m willing to put up with the rude staff, long wait, cash only, and pricey up-​front costs.
I haven’t experience any of the inappropriate experiences that some of the other female Unilocalers have reported. He can be brisk with his diagnosis and when he touches an area, it’s to feel a pulse or to trace the qi line. I’ve asked him these kind of questions before and he would very helpfully point out what the area he touched (such as wrist or shin) was on the anatomical poster on the wall and its respective qi line.
Every time I go, I end up chatting with some of the other patients. While most come for allergies (even out of state), there was a woman that told me she suffered from paralysis from her right arm to torso and years of physical therapy and medication were futile so she turned to acupuncture. After two months of treatment, she regained feeling and when I saw her she was nearly healed.
Placebo effect? Quack? I don’t know but whatever works for you.

I was there last week and I would totally agree with mighty m.‘s post 4 years ago in that this guy was totally inappropriate and unprofessional. He would touch sensitive places which were totally unrelavant, without even asking permission first. My male friend got great results from this guy treaing his allergy, so I was referred to him. I would never go there if I had read might m.‘s post. This guy might be competent in treating certain disease, but he was not even trustworthy as a person. Female client, please be aware!

I have chronic spring allergies: burning eyes, sneezing, itchy throat and ears. I was taking 3 prescription medications to pacify my allergies but nothing was working this year. A friend from work recommended dr lin. After having a sleepless saturday night due to constant sneezing and burning eyes. I took appointment with dr lin at their flushing location. I did not experience any wait. The whole session lasted about 20 minutes. And the results were almost instant. I haven’t sneezed through the entire allergy season.
I just took one session. It was $ 90 for the first time and $ 80 for subsequent sessions. Bring cash, they don’t take credit cards
I agree with other reviewers on the rude staff but who cares if the treatment is so super effective.

I’ve been seeing Dr. Rong-​Sheng Lin for about 5 years. Before that I’d been receiving acupuncture regularly since 1992 with multiple people. Dr. Lin is absolutely incredible. He speaks almost no English so you will just have to trust that he knows what to do with you. He won’t be able to explain what he’s doing and you won’t be able to tell him much about what is wrong with you but he will figure it out.
I’m a professional dancer here in NYC and have had many injuries that needed really fast, really good treatments. His treatments make the pain and inflammation go away 50% right away and then 50% within a couple of days. He’s enabled me to perform many times when I wouldn’t have been able to, with issues like neck spasms, sprained joints, broken toes, psoas spasms, etc.
He has also completely removed my chronic allergy problems. I used to have to take 2 types of allergy medicine every day all year long since I was allergic to dust which is everywhere. Now I take nothing and have no more chronic issues at any time of the year.
Lastly, when I started having bad menopause symptoms like hot flashes, he completely stopped all of the symptoms. That treatment was very intense and I had to go 3 times a week for 6 months, but it was seriously worth it to have no more hot flashes!
As other people have written, the office and reservation system there is absolutely awful. The people behind the desk are very cold and uncommunicative. They only take cash and some insurances but those take forever to get processed. If you go during any of the prime times… Saturday daytime, weekday nighttime, any time in the spring allergy season, you can expect to wait approximately forever. If you know this ahead of time, you can just prepare for it. You can leave your cellphone number there and go eat in Chinatown or walk around and shop. I often bring my sewing that I need to do and get a lot done in the waiting room. Or you could nap. Or you could read books. Or daydream, just don’t expect that you’ll get in quickly. Allow for at least 4 hours. You might get in right away, it might take 3 hours to get in. I know, it’s ridiculous but I’m telling you, Dr. Lin is worth it. He’s amazing.

The doctor charges so much money for very run-​of-​the-​mill acupuncture. Check out his credentials — it’s a pHD from a university that doesn’t even have a building (I checked on Google Maps).
And to top it off — they have the rudest staff I’ve ever encountered. If you want any help getting materials for insurance, good luck. Just to see if you are a patient in the system, they need a week. They have the most primitive patient records system. This place is a nightmare.

Dr Lin is the best! He has practically cured me of my seasonal allergies. Keep in mind there will always be at least an hour wait during the allergy season but you can always check in, leave a cell #, and they will call you when it’s almost your turn. The receptionists aren’t very friendly but Dr Lin is a sweetheart. He is definitely worth the wait and the $$.

Good doctor but they over book. I waited 3HOURS on my first session. And 2HOURS on my second session. Not worth it.
They should not over book it. even if you go in to the room its another 30minutes

Dr. Lin is an amazing «magic making» doctor for curing my allergy for decades. I feel truly fortunate to have found him! — W. Rong

Amazing doctor. Did wonders for my allergies and super nice & caring professional.
I only see Rong-​Sheng Lin himself. Worth the wait.

I completely agree with Glen C’s review written below. My husband and I experienced the WORST customer service earlier this week at Dr. Lin’s office EVER.
We had a 3 pm appointment and were finally called into one of the patient rooms at 5:30 pm. After being ushered hastily to one of the private rooms we had to wait another 25 minutes before the doctor came in, asked a handful of questions, stuck some needles in the wrong areas (I say wrong because they were not put in the problem areas we described and later found out when going to another acupuncturist that Dr. Lin’s session was absolutely useless because he placed the needles in the incorrect spots) and never came back as promised to answer the rest of our questions. A nurse came in and finished the process.
The worst part about this office is the front desk staff — they are the rudest people I have ever met in my life and I don’t believe that they have any idea of what proper customer service is supposed to be like. They demanded $ 90 cash for payment which was never disclosed to me when I called to make the appointment as a new patient. When we explained that we didn’t have cash on us and would be willing to pay with credit/​debit card or personal check the front desk associate very loudly and rudely demanded for my husband’s driver’s license and then told us that we have to go to the ATM to retrieve cash otherwise we wouldn’t be given his license back. They also told us that we are not allowed to speak with the doctor to have the rest of our questions answered until our next appointment and said that we must come in four times a week for the next 3 – 4 weeks for treatment. We were very civil in telling them that we would not be coming back and without even asking why they just shrugged us off and continued gossiping with one another about their personal lives.
STAY AWAY FROM DR. LIN’S OFFICE AT ALL COSTS! YOU WILL ONLY BE WASTING YOUR TIME AND MONEY BY COMING HERE!!!

RE-​USE NEEDLES…
First I have to start out by saying I went to Dr. Lin about 5 or 6 years ago for seasonal allergy and at that time there was already a long line in the start of the day, Even though you make an appt. it means nothing. You always have to wait a minimum of 1 hr if you’re lucky. Back then I went for 5 treatment and I felt good… not completely allergy symptom free but about 90%. It cost $ 60 for first treatment.
This time I felt my symptoms are getting worst and I don’t want to use any allergy medication since it knocks me out. I decided to go to Dr. Lin again even though there is a crazy long wait. This time I paid $ 90. and there is at least min 1.5 hr wait. I saw a few people walked out of the office because the wait is too long and ridiculous, Finally my turn and i went to the room w/​curtains but I had to wait another 10min before Dr. Lin see me. Okay, he insert needles and assistant attached needle to electric machine. After 20min the assist came in and remove needles and that was it. The symptoms only got a little better not as good as when I went to him 6 years ago.
I went there 3 times but on my 3^rd time I notice something different. I was sharing a room with a Caucasian man and we are both waiting for Dr. Lin. Finally he stop by and he first put needles on me and then he went to the man and start to pop open needles in the package to use on him. I realize that he use fresh new needles on the Caucasian man but for me he was using needles straight from a needle box. I was in SHOCKED because I realize the needles he used on me was not fresh from the package. It was OLD NEEDLES that he may have disinfect.
I never went back there again because he uses OLD NEEDLES. I was upset & angry because I felt that this Chinese Doctor was putting my health in danger just because he wanted to save money. He makes tons of money from this business why do he have to be so cheap. Would he use old needles on his family… I was also upset mainly because I felt that he use fresh needles for Westerners and on Asian people he could slack off and use old needles.
SO BEWARE if you do go there make sure he is pop opening fresh new needles for you.

I went back for 2^nd session and I haven’t taken any allergy medicine in 3 weeks. And I don’t have any symptoms at all. It definitely got worse before it got better but I’d say it was worth it.
4 stars because I wasn’t seen an hour after my appt time. They seem to overbook or just not keep to their schedule.

Good doctor, poor service.
Great for seasonal allergies. Wait time, even with appointments (which seem useless) can get really long depending on the season. Still, I recommend him to other allergy sufferers.
He also specialized in sports medicine so I told a few friends to try him for that. One said it helped his shoulder pain (from snowboading) and another said he helped his bruised thigh (from basketball), and another for general back pains.
Acupuncture is very case specific, although he helped me, my father and 4 friends, a third friend tried him once for stomach issues and didn’t notice any affect. It could be he needed more treatment or that illness was not going to respond to this type of treatment. So don’t expect miracles, but it’s worth a try.

This is not so much a review of their actual acupuncture practice but more about their customer service.
Before going there, I called ahead and made a 3pm appointment. I also asked how long it takes to be seen, and the girl said the whole thing takes half an hour. I ask — «So if I come in at 3, I’ll definitely be outta there by 4?» and she says yes.
Get in there at 3pm, get sat in the waiting room with tapes of Mr Bean playing (yes, seriously, in 2011) until 4:20. Eventually get shown to the actual private room, then get left alone on the bench /​bed for about another 15 minutes before anyone comes in.
Doctor comes in eventually and starts in with his comedy routine. If I’m in a place with pain bad enough that I want needles shoved in my back, chances are I’m not in the mood for yuks, I’m in the mood for you getting down to business and fixing my back.
Pops a few needles in then walks out, one of the nurses comes in and hooks up the machine. Half an hour later she comes back in, gets the needles out, says «finished» and literally just walks out.
I know it’s Chinatown and customer service is going to be light-​on either way, but yeah … left this place with a really bitter taste in my mouth. Wouldn’t have minded so much if the price matched the shittiness of the service, but it was $ 90 for the first consult.
Buyer beware.

$ 170 in cash later (they ONLY take cash), it’s been an entire month in top allergy season and I haven’t sneezed ONCE.
My second visit was actually spectacularly better and worse. I had to wait a longer time (the entire thing took 2.5 hours because the doctor was «late») despite booking the first appointment available (something like 11:30 or 12).
Apparently the second time you can put the needles on the front of your arms and legs, versus the first time when he put them on my upper back (resulting in a very miserable time, read below). This was much better.
I think you have a choice the first time, but just fyi, lying on your front is NOT comfortable. You have to lie there for half an hour also.
Anyway it was worth it — haven’t had one bout of itchiness or congestion. Incredible.

I would put my experience with this acupuncturist as terribly off-​putting. Although he appeared competent, there were moments when his examination of my problem were controversial and inappropriate since it had nothing to do with my problem. And, not once did he seek my consent. He is definitely abusing his position as a physician. Female clients beware! No matter how good he purportedly is, I would not trust this guy at all!

Works great for my allergies. You have to go twice within a one week period ($ 70 each time) in order for it to work. If you dont go twice within in a week it doesnt work – weird but true.
Be prepared with a lot of reading material. The «appointments» are always late. Inevitably you end up waiting at least 1.5 hours. I went today for my first allergy session of the season and waited almost 2 hours even though I had an appt! Crazy and infuriating but so worth it – $ 140 and five hours to be totally allergy free all spring and summer.
Ive been going for over 8 years now.

Count me among the acupuncture skeptics until I went to Dr. Lin Rong Sheng out of desperation two years ago.
Sessions and charges:
For most individuals, two sessions at $ 70 a pop (price was raised after they moved to their new location on Mott Street, Unilocal should be updating the core information soon) is all you’ll need to be allergy free for the rest of the season. On a side note, first time patients will be charged $ 80 on their first visit, the extra $ 10 probably covers administrative fees. For a few individuals, you might have to pony up for three sessions to really have the seasonal cure stick, I think I went for three sessions during my first year as a patient.
Some patients as Natalia stated may have issues with the needles and the electric pulses. Fortunately I have no issues with them so give it a try!
Wait Time:
Be prepared to wait though. On most days the wait will average 1.5 hours (after you sign in at the time of your appointment). Good luck walking in without an appointment. I’ve tried it once and gave up after waiting for almost 4 hours. Fortunately it’s in Little Italy /​Chinatown so there’s plenty to see, do or eat in the area.
Relocation:
The new location is at 128 Mott St. New York, NY 10 013, Suite 606. The new waiting room is air conditioned I think (didn’t notice) and there’s a large LCD versus that old small CRT they used to have playing Asian movies. All in all, the new offices and patient rooms are definitely a few notches better than the old.
About the other doctors:
There’s a reason why on Dr. Lin Rong Sheng’s off days, the place is deserted. I’ve seen one of the other doctors there once and though it helped a little (no more sneezing or runny nose), my throat was still dry and itchy until I went back to see Dr. Lin Rong Sheng a few days later. I never experienced the throat issue after seeing Dr. Lin Rong Sheng.

Got Allergies?
I feel your pain.
Two sessions of acupuncture with Dr. Lin leaves me allergy-​free for the rest of the season. Each visit costs $ 60. It’s best to go before springtime (around late March or early April) before your symptoms start to show.
The needles hurt and leave me bruised. BUT, I think it is different for every person because nothing happens to my sister. Plus, I’d take this pain over allergies any day. The needles get hooked up to some electric device thing. You have to tell the nurse to stop when you feel them pulsating. It sounds scary but it’s not that bad. The whole thing lasts about 15 minutes.
Please note that this may not work for everyone. However, he is quite in demand so good luck getting an appointment. Even if you do get one, the wait is about 2 hours long. There is no A/​C in the waiting room. –1 star.