Frequently Asked Questions

What can you expect when you come for an acupuncture treatment?

First we talk. We have time to discuss all of your concerns. Then you lie down on a treatment table to have your “pulses read.” While pulse taking feels a little like a doctor or nurse checking the rate and rhythm of your heart, an acupuncturist is gathering a different set of information necessary for diagnosis and treatment planning. The needles are inserted gently into the skin at specific acu-points. The insertion feels a little like a bug bite. Any local sensation quickly disappears and is replaced by a generalized, hard to describe calm, relaxed feeling. Many people fall asleep during treatment.

When the treatment is over you simply get up and go home!

Does insurance cover acupuncture?

Many insurance companies do offer some coverage. Check yours for specifics. It is good to know that people who receive acupuncture often enjoy a greater degree of health, spend less money on medications and lose less time at work.

When will I notice results?

Some people notice the effects of treatment immediately, and some feel the improvements over the next few days. Sometimes it takes a few treatments.

How often do I need to come back for treatment?

I tell my new patients to come once a week for three weeks. People usually feel results after the first treatment, and within three treatments, will have met or begun to meet many of their treatment goals. After these initial sessions, it is an individual’s choice whether to continue coming weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, seasonally or as needed.

Do I need to change my medications in order to have acupuncture?

No. Acupuncture works even if you are taking medications.

Can I combine acupuncture with chiropractic or other kinds of treatment?

Yes. Adding acupuncture can make other treatments even more effective.

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

No. Many people come to believe in it, even if they do not understand it, after they see it work.