FAQ

The filiform needles used for acupuncture are much different than hypodermic needles that many are familiar with. They are fine, like an animal whisker, and are generally only an inch in length.

Your experience of acupuncture treatment is unique to you. For some, there is little or no sensation while others experience a dull ache. Generally, those that do experience discomfort during an acupuncture treatment respond by saying the wellness they experience far outweighs the discomfort.

There are also many non-needle options that we can utilize. We aim to make sure treatment is effective while providing the most comfortable experience for you

The World Health Organization has shown acupuncture is an effective treatment for many conditions including:

• Adverse reactions to radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy
• Allergic rhinitis (including hay fever)
• Depression
• Dysentery
• Dysmenorrhoea
• Epigastralgia
• Headache
• Hypertension/Hypotension
• Primary 
induction of labor
• Malposition of fetus
• Morning sickness
• Knee pain
• Leukopenia
• Low back pain
• Neck pain
• Tennis elbow
• Pain in dentistry
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Sciatica
• Stroke

Given that East Asian Medicine operates under different philosophies than Western Medicine, it is often difficult to run controlled clinical trials under Western research. Even with this barrier, acupuncture has shown to have a therapeutic effect on many other conditions.  The WHO has recognized that acupuncture is an effective treatment for many more conditions than are mentioned here. For a more complete list, click here.

Your first visit will begin with a detailed discussion that covers the physical, emotional, and mental aspects of your life. This allows us to take a holistic view of you. In East Asian Medicine everything matters. Everything matters because East Asian Medicine seeks to treat you as an individual, not just your symptoms. We’ll ask to look at your tongue and read pulses on your wrists, as two major forms of diagnosis. Once we decide on a course of treatment, we will place tiny filiform needles into specific acupuncture points on your body.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any lingering questions before your first visit.

We find ourselves with symptoms from some traumatic event or by a gradual development of patterns that persist over time. For example, if someone does pushups several times a week and they are using improper form, their shoulder may become irritated. If this improper form continues over weeks, months or years of regularly doing pushups, they could start to notice pain and, eventually, structural damage.  This development of a pattern happens with physical, mental and emotional symptoms. Acupuncture works to address that pattern to allow the body to heal. The practitioners at our office will also offer guidance on the behavior prevent future symptoms.

In general, you should notice some shifts in symptoms within the first five treatments. We tell people to plan on working with us for 3 months, though most people feel significantly better before then. Some have seen complete resolution of symptoms within just one treatment. We consider the individual, the symptoms, the chronicity as well as the modalities available and frequency of treatment, which all impact the course of treatment.  See what others are saying…

It is important that we discuss treatment expectations regularly to understand how acupuncture can best support you.

Currently, we are in-network with Aetna and BlueCross BlueShield. If you have a policy with another insurance provider, we can contact them to inquire about your out-of-network benefits. We will verify your insurance benefits prior to treatment if you provide the necessary information. For insurance companies we are out-of-network with, we can always provide you with a superbill so you can submit for reimbursement. We always suggest you confirm these benefits, as insurance companies can tell you the most accurate information about your plan. Please feel free to contact us with any questions about this process.