Unlicensed Acupuncturist Caused Woman's Lung Collapse: Queens DA

QUEENS, NY — An unlicensed Queens acupuncturist's slipshod treatment caused a woman's lungs to collapse and nearly killed her, prosecutors said.

The acupuncturist — Yong De Lin, 66, of Flushing — appeared in court Monday for arraignment on assault and reckless endangerment charges, authorities said.

Lin's criminal charges came after a 63-year-old Flushing woman had a 2022 brush with death after receiving acupuncture from him, said Melinda Katz, district attorney for Queens.

"As alleged, the defendant was not licensed, nor had even bothered to apply for licensure, and he very nearly killed his patient," Katz said in a statement.

"We urge any other victims to come forward."

Prosecutors said the woman visited C&W Medical, where Lin worked, on Union Street in Flushing in May 2022 for relief of stomach and back pain.

From then until October, she had 17 acupuncture treatments from Lin, authorities said.

The woman began to feel unwell during the last session with Lin, prompting her to lie down and receive additional acupuncture and cupping treatments, prosecutors said.

She left the office to head home, only to collapse from shortness of breath on the sidewalk, authorities said.

A bystander's 911 call helped rush her to a hospital, where doctors found both of her lungs collapsed because of the acupuncture treatments, prosecutors said.

The life-or-death situation required immediate surgery, and the woman remained hospitalized for six days, according to the Queens' district attorney's office.

Investigators found that Lin isn't a licensed acupuncturist and had never applied for a required state licensure, prosecutors said.

Lin, in addition to counts of assault and reckless endangerment charges, faces a charge of unauthorized practice of a profession.

He's due back in court Sept. 20. He faces up to 25 years in prison, if convicted.