Frequently Asked Questions

1) For What Kind Of Conditions Should I Seek Acupuncture Treatment?

Acupuncture has been used in China for thousands of years to strengthen and balances the body’s energies in all health issues.

In the spirit of the scientific method, many controlled clinical trials have been performed, and the World Health Organization has officially declared the following symptoms, diseases and conditions as being treated effectively by acupuncture:

Low back pain
Neck pain
Sciatica
Tennis elbow
Knee pain
Periarthritis of the shoulder
Sprains
Facial pain (including craniomandibular disorders)
Headache
Dental pain
Tempromandibular (TMJ) dysfunction
Rheumatoid arthritis
Induction of labor
Correction of malposition of fetus (breech presentation)
Morning sickness
Nausea and vomiting
Postoperative pain
Stroke
Essential hypertension
Primary hypotension
Renal colic
Leucopenia
Adverse reactions to radiation or chemotherapy
Allergic rhinitis, including hay fever
Biliary colic
Depression (including depressive neurosis and depression following stroke)
Acute bacillary dysentery
Primary dysmenorrhea
Acute epigastralgia
Peptic ulcer
Acute and chronic gastritis

Many people also use acupuncture as a preventative treatment, which we believe might be the most important benefit of all.

2) What happens during an initial visit?

Before you come in for your initial treatment, please go to the ‘New Clients’ section of our website to fill out your forms. All answers are (securely) recorded online – no need to download anything. If you are unable to fill out your forms online, please arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment time to fill them out there before your treatment.

After paperwork is done, you’ll then consult with your acupuncturist to discuss your health concern(s) and she will make a treatment plan for you.

Please wear comfortable clothing so that you can roll your sleeves and pant legs up, as we use styles of acupuncture which allow us to select points primarily on the arms and legs.

Once in the treatment room please make yourself at home by getting a blanket, pillow, removing shoes and socks, putting all belongings into the bin located next to each chair and extending the chair’s foot-rest. Please let your acupuncturist know how long you would like to stay – we recommend staying at least 30 minutes to get the full benefit and you are encouraged to stay for the full hour.

3) What happens during a typical follow-up treatment?

After paying for the visit at the front desk, turning off all electronic devices as well as using the restroom (if needed), our patients bring themselves into the treatment room and make themselves comfortable in a recliner of their choice. It’s the responsibility of our patients to make themselves warm and comfortable, taking off shoes and socks, and otherwise getting ready for their needle-nap. After a brief conversation between patient and acupuncturist chair-side, a specific set of points are chosen. If you need to be up at a certain time, let your acupuncturist know.

4) How often should I come in?

This can depend a lot on your general health and the condition being treated. The more severe or chronic an issue is, the more treatments may be necessary. Typically, the more you need it, the more you can come in. As things improve, the sessions taper down. It is not uncommon for more severe cases to come in 2 or 3 times in one week, and for milder cases to come in periodically. Some health issues respond more quickly while others take longer, and some people just get better faster than others for no particular reason. The acupuncturist will advise you of the ideal course of treatment. As a general rule of thumb, refer to the chart below.

5) Can I address more than one health issue at a time with acupuncture?

Absolutely. Though we don’t know exactly how acupuncture works, we do know that acupuncture works on multiple systems of the body to stimulate the body’s innate healing response, often acting like a re-set button for your health. Patients who come in for one issue – say for back pain – often will notice an improvement in something apparently unrelated, such as digestive issues. This can happen even when the patient doesn’t tell the acupuncturist about the apparently unrelated problem. Acupuncture also seems to have the “side effects” of reducing stress and promoting better sleep and more energy, all of which create a platform for better health.

6) Can I combine acupuncture with massage/chiropractic/medication /exercise/etc?

Yes. You can combine acupuncture with almost anything. Nothing is going to make it less effective, and it doesn’t interfere with anything else. However, it is recommended that you allow yourself time to let the treatment continue its benefits by not doing strenuous exercise right away and enjoy the effects of the treatment. We do ask that you let us know of any medications you are taking, so we can get a full picture to best plan your treatment.

7) Do you treat pregnant women?

Yes. We get lots of referrals from midwives and obstetricians because acupuncture is effective for many pregnancy-related conditions.

8) What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept cash and anything with a Visa, Mastercard or Discover card logo, including health saving account cards. We do not accept insurance coverage, but would be happy to offer a receipt for your visit so you may submit it directly.

9)You treat in recliners. How do you treat back or neck pain?

We do have a couple of massage tables if we need them, but more often than not we do
acupuncture in a recliner by utilizing key acupuncture points for the back and neck that are located on the extremities. It kind of depends on the nature of the injury or pain, but basically we will work with you to find the best way to address your problem and get the best results.

10) What about my privacy? How do you handle this in a group setting?

We conduct patient interviews as privately as you need them to be. We want you to be comfortable discussing anything that is relevant to improving your health.