• Does my insurance pay for acupuncture treatment?

 

A number of PPO and HMO insurance plans cover the cost of acupuncture treatments, and that number seems to be growing every year. Our Acupuncture and Wellness specialists will verify, and then bill your insurance company directly, free of charge.

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• What happens during my free initial consultation?

 

We begin by evaluating your condition, goals and lifestyle with a thorough interview and questionnaire. Next, we determine if we can truly make a difference for you, or not. And finally, we propose a roadmap for a holistic program that’s customized for you. To schedule your free consultation, go here. 

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• Is acupuncture painful?

 

No. Unlike hypodermic needles, acupuncture needles are ultra thin and flexible, permitting a nearly painless insertion. Sometimes, you may feel some tingling, or a tiny electric sensation around the needle or down the affected meridian. However, during and after treatment you should feel very relaxed and calm.

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• Is acupuncture safe?

 

Acupuncture is very safe when practiced by a trained acupuncturist like our specialists, using sterile, disposable needles. All of the needles used by our wellness specialists are sterile and disposable.

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• Are there any harmful side effects?

 

None or extremely rare. At worse, occasionally there may be a tiny drop of blood when the needles are removed. Or, slight bruising may occur at the point of the needle insertion. This is not dangerous or harmful and should not be cause for concern.

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• How deep do the needles go?

 

They are so thin and placed at such carefully determined points, the depth is largely irrelevant when it comes to your comfort level. But the specific depth will depend on the nature of the problem and the location of the points, usually, from 1/2 to one inch.

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• Can I combine acupuncture with other medical treatments?

 

Yes. Acupuncture can readily be used alongside conventional medicine, osteopathic treatments, chiropractic adjustments, and naturopathic prescriptions. It is important that you inform our wellness specialists of all your other treatments. And, by same token, you should tell your other doctors about our recommendations as well.

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• How long will treatments take?

 

An initial consultation and treatment can take one to two hours. A complete medical history is taken, an oriental medical diagnosis made, a treatment is administered, and an herbal prescription may be developed. Follow-up visits typically take about 40 minutes or so.

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• Do I need to prepare anything before I have an acupuncture treatment?

 

Before you come into the clinic, make sure that you have a light meal and drink enough water. Also wear comfortable clothes. And please bring a list of any medications you are using, along with dosages. Please do not consume alcohol or use recreational drugs before your treatment.

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• How many treatments will I need?

 

Because each person is unique and types of conditions differ, the number of treatments varies. Generally, if you have chronic conditions, you may need one to three treatments per week for several weeks. And if you have an acute illness, can expect a change within a few visits. You should discuss with our acupuncture and wellness specialists how frequently you should come in and how many treatments are needed to maximize your results.