FAQ

Frequency Asked Questions

WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE?

Acupuncture is the procedure of inserting and manipulating needles into various points on the body to relieve pain or for therapeutic purposes.

WHAT CAN BE TREATED?

Please refer to the services section. If you do not see your condition there, you can still contact me by phone to see if a treatment is available.

DOES IT HURT?

The needles are much thinner than the ones you are used to. You may experience a mild tingling sensation, but it is generally not uncomfortable.

ARE THE NEEDLES CLEAN?

Yes, the needles are one-use only and approved by the FDA as Class II medical devices, meaning that needles are regarded as safe and effective when used appropriately by licensed practitioners.

DOES IT WORK?

According to a peer reviewed article published in the Annual Review of Internal Medicine there is evidence that acupuncture is effective for the treatment of postoperative and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, headache, low back pain, alcohol dependence, and paralysis resulting from stroke. A second peer reviewed article published found acupuncture treatment to be effective in reducing chronic pain relative to a no treatment control group. A recent article in the New York Times reported that Stanford University researchers found a significant effect on women suffering from postpartum depression. In recent studies, acupuncture has also been found to be useful for treating migraines.

Finally, please also check out the National Institute of Health's views on acupuncture.

HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL I NEED TO GET BETTER?

The number of treatments that you will need depends on many factors. I will take into account the overall health of your body and the nature of your ailment when discussing treatment length.

WHAT SHOULD I DO PRIOR TO MY FIRST TREATMENT?

I recommend that you wear loose comfortable clothes and eat a light snack just prior to your appointment.

WHAT IS THE COST OF THE TREATMENT?

I offer a free in office consultation prior to treatment to determine the course of treatment. The first actual treatment is $80 and followup treatments are $60. If your insurance is eligible you will only be responsible for your co-pay. For payment, I accept cash\check and major credit cards. In addition, you may also utilize your flexible spending account for payment.

DO YOU ACCEPT INSURANCE?

Yes, I accept BlueCross\BlueShield, but please verify with your insurance company that your plan has the acupuncture rider in order for you to be eligible. If you are under another insurance plan with acupuncture benefits please check with your plan to see you are entitled to out of network benefits.

DO YOU ACCEPT FSA (Flexible Spending Account) or HSA (Health Savings Account)?

Yes I accept both types of payment.