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Acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years.
Although used by more than one-third of the world’s population,
much remains mysterious about it.

At least for these following questions, we have answers! 

  • What can acupuncture treat?

    According to the World Health Organization (WHO), acupuncture can effectively treat many specific ailments, including:

    acute and chronic gastritis

    addiction or cravings

    allergies

    anxiety

    arthritis

    asthma

    chemotherapy support

    chronic fatigue

    cold and flu

    constipation and diarrhea

    correcting breech presentation of fetus

    dental pain

    depression

    dizziness

    dysmenorrhea

    eye strain

    fibromyalgia

    headache

    hypertension

    hypotension

    indigestion or acid reflux

    insomnia

    joint pain

    labor induction

    menstrual pain or irregularity

    migraine

    multiple sclerosis

    muscle pain

    nausea and vomiting

    peptic ulcer

    PMS or general body aches

    postoperative pain

    pregnancy support

    sinusitis

    sleep apnea

    stress

    stroke

    tendonitis

    TMJ

    Also, the WHO claims that acupuncture provides effective therapeutic relief for an additional 68 specific conditions (more clinical trials are being performed), and it reports some positive results for yet another 9 conditions.

  • Is acupuncture safe?

    Yes. Every effort is made to ensure proper placement and disposal of needles. We have received safety certifications as part of our state licensing requirements. Small hair-fine needles are used only once and then placed in a designated safety container for disposal.

  • Will it hurt?

    Usually, you feel nothing at all or a slight, mild ache. Occasionally, the needles feel pinchy. Acupuncture needles are hair-fine, solid needles, different than the hollow hypodermic needles used for injections. Most people find the experience very pleasant and relaxing often falling asleep during treatment.

  • What about privacy?

    At your New Patient Visit, we will discuss your health history with you in an area separate from the treatment rooms. For follow-up visits we will rely less on dialogue and more on channel and pulse diagnosis as well as physical evaluation. We will talk to you in a low whisper in the treatment room and then apply the needles. Most of the other clients in the treatment room will be fast asleep.

  • How long does a visit take?

    Your New Patient Visit includes a treatment as well as a discussion about your health history and condition. Usually, it takes just more than an hour. Return visits focus on treatment and usually take 45 minutes to an hour.

  • Acuplus, Fascial or Regular: Is one better than the other?

    One is not better than the other. Acuplus and Fascial are specialty treatments that focus on more significant structural problems or physical performance issues.

  • When should I have an Acuplus or Fascial treatment vs. a regular one?

    If your shoulder aches from too much yoga, try regular. If you can barely move your shoulder because of a biking accident, try Acuplus or Fascial. If you twisted your ankle when running, try regular. If you broke your ankle while roller skating, try Acuplus. You can probably think of similar examples. If you aren’t sure, come in for a visit or just contact us and we will advise you.

  • Why are Acuplus and Fascial visits more expensive?

    These visits take more time and involve more testing and applied techniques. We book only 2 of these per hour. In addition to acupuncture, we may use electro-stimulation, massage or cupping, and we may take time to teach you stretches or exercises that you can do at home. Although more expensive per visit, it often takes fewer visits to heal.

  • Recliners?

    Yes! We use pool-side recliners with blankets to keep you warm and comfy during treatment. These chairs are excellent for treating many types of ailments, even achy necks and backs. We use comfortably padded tables too, just in case we have to position you in a specific way or needle directly into your injured area.

  • How will you treat my back pain if my back is not accessible when I’m seated face up?

    The body’s energy channels run from head to toe, so acupuncture points on your head, arms, and legs have a direct connection to where your back pain exists. For some injuries, the chairs work fine. For more severe or specific orthopedic problems, we will recommend treating you on a table during one of our orthopedic shifts.

  • How often will I need to come in for treatment?

    Every person has a different health history, health need, and capacity to heal. We will recommend a course of treatment that fits you. Acupuncture is a form of therapy. Often, more than one visit is required for healing. Typically, acute conditions take 4 to 6 treatments to resolve. Chronic, stubborn ailments can take 10 to 20 visits or even more. In all cases, we will work with you to create a treatment plan and evaluate your progress along the way.

  • Do you accept insurance?

    We want to make the treatment process as simple and pleasant as possible, therefore we do not accept insurance. It is our hope that this does not offend, and that our fee range fits your budget, much like an insurance co-pay. If you wish to bill your insurance company for reimbursement, please request a receipt and we will accommodate you.

  • Do you treat pregnant women?

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

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

    Absolutely. Often, patients who come in for one issue – say for back pain – will notice an improvement in something apparently unrelated, such as a chronic lung problem. 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.

  • Do I have to believe in acupuncture for it to work?

    Not at all – animals get good results from acupuncture just like people, and we’re pretty sure that they don’t believe in it. We like skeptics. You just need to have enough of an open mind to want to find out if acupuncture will work for you, and you will only know that by experience. We suggest you try it and see what you think.

  • Can I combine acupuncture with massage/chiropractic/osteopathic treatment/medication /exercise/etc?

    Yes. You can combine acupuncture with almost anything; that’s one of the lovely things about it. Nothing is going to make it less effective, and it doesn’t interfere with anything else. It’s one of the reasons that so many doctors refer their patients to acupuncture.


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