QUEENS, N.Y. — A woman nearly died from a collapsed lung after sloppy treatment by an unlicensed acupuncturist in Queens, prosecutors said.
Authorities said the acupuncturist, Yong De Lin, 66, of Flushing, appeared in court Monday for arraignment on assault and manslaughter charges.
The criminal charges against Lin came after a 63-year-old Flushing woman nearly died after receiving acupuncture treatment from Lin in 2022, according to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.
“As alleged, the defendant was not licensed, never even applied for a license, and nearly killed a patient,” Katz said in a statement.
“We call on other victims to come forward.”
According to prosecutors, the woman went to C&W Medical on Union Street in Flushing, where Lin worked, in May 2022 to seek treatment for stomach and back pain.
Since then, she received 17 acupuncture treatments from Lin through October, authorities said.
Prosecutors said the woman began feeling unwell during her final session with Lin and then lay down for additional acupuncture and cupping treatments.
Authorities said she had left her office to go home but collapsed on the sidewalk due to shortness of breath.
A passerby called 911 and she was rushed to the hospital, where doctors discovered both of her lungs had collapsed as a result of the acupuncture treatments, according to prosecutors.
The Queens District Attorney’s Office said the injury was life-threatening and required immediate surgery, and the woman was hospitalized for six days.
Investigators found that Lin was not a licensed acupuncturist and had never applied for a state license, prosecutors said.
Lin is charged with assault and manslaughter, as well as engaging in unlicensed professional activities.
He is due to appear in court again on Sept. 20. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison.
