Acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years in China and other Asian countries, and is among the oldest healing practices in the world. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there are 12 channels and 8 extraordinary channels in the body that circulate Qi, pronounced "chee" (life energy). When Qi (life energy) is in balance, the body is healthy. If Qi is in excess, or is deficient, the body may become ill. The flow of Qi becomes disturbed when a person is under mental, emotional, physical, or environmental stress. By tapping into specific acupuncture points, we can adjust the flow of Qi in the channels and allow the body to return to its natural healthy balance.
Acupuncture can be used to increase the body's resistance to illness, promote detoxification, and enhance a person's energy level and sense of well being. It is also used to stop smoking, lower blood pressure, alleviate skin disorders, and relieve constipation, anxiety, insomnia, allergies, and asthma. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the National Institutes for Health (NIH), and clinical experience, Acupuncture is useful in the treatment of:
Most of the time people do not feel the insertion of the needle into the skin, sometimes people feel a sensation like a mosquito bite that disappears very quickly. Once the needle is in, you may feel nothing at all, or you may feel sensations such as warmth, a dull ache, tingling, heaviness, or a “moving” sensation. This is usually felt only for a short period of time, or if the practitioner is manipulating or stimulating the needle. These are sensations of the needle connecting with your Qi. Many people find acupuncture to be very relaxing, and even fall asleep during the treatments.
Acupuncture needles are hair-thin, and solid (unlike needles used by doctors). They are 25-50 times thinner than a hypodermic needle. The point is smooth and rounded (not hollow with cutting edges like a hypodermic needle). Acupuncture needles are not designed to cut the skin. Only sterile, disposable needles are used so there is no risk of infection. Each needle is used only once, and then it is disposed of.
The amount of treatments a patient needs varies from individual to individual as well as the nature, severity, and duration of their complaint. Chronic conditions usually require more treatments than acute conditions. Some people are looking for a single treatment to relax, or calm the mind. Others may need a few weeks of treatments for certain acute or chronic problems, while some others may need longer-term maintenance care for chronic or degenerative diseases.
The initial acupuncture treatment is an hour and a half. The following treatments are one hour (Facial Rejuvenation treatments are always an hour and a half). This is because during the first treatment, there is a comprehensive interview in which I will ask about your past medical history as well as your currant health condition. I am trying to get a sense of your constitution, and underlying issues of why you may be presenting with your complaint. The interview in the following treatments focuses on your chief complaint, and any changes or reactions to the treatments.
In each treatment I will feel your pulse and look at your tongue, or may palpate your abdomen. After this interview and assessment process, a treatment plan is created, and the acupuncture treatment will begin. Anywhere from 2-20 needles are used in a treatment. The needles are typically left in for 15-45 minutes depending on your chief complaint, and constitution.
After the needles are removed, follow up appointments will be discussed, as well as any steps you can take to make your treatment more effective.
I am a preferred provider with several insurance companies.
Please call the number on the back of your insurance card to find out if you have acupuncture benefits and what they are, and remember to bring your insurance card with you to your first appointment. I will call your company to verify your benefits for you as well.
Copays are due at the time of service, and I will bill you for any additional costs, if any, that your insurance company determines is your responsibility. If, for some reason, your insurance company does not pay for your treatment, you are responsible for all fees.
Insurance Patients (billed depending on treatment (general/electro/moxa/cupping/etc)):
First Office Visit: $150-$180 (1 ½ hour)
Return Visit: $75-$100 (1 hour)
Non-Insurance Patients:
First Office Visit: $100 (1 ½ hour)
Return Visit: $60 (1 hour)
Non-Insurance Senior Discount:
First Office Visit: $80 (1 ½ hour)
Return Visits: $50 (1 hour)
Student Discount:
Please take 25% off!
Payments accepted: insurance, cash, debit, check, master card, visa