Pricing
Initial acupuncture visit (90 minutes) - $150
Follow-up acupuncture visit (60 minutes) - $100
If you have insurance benefits that cover acupuncture, I can provide you with a super bill at the time of your appointment (an itemized receipt with medical billing codes), which you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.
Frequently asked questions
Is there paperwork I need to fill out ahead of time?
Yes. There is an initial intake form that you will need to fill out prior to your first acupuncture visit. It is an online form that will need to be completed at least 24 hours before the scheduled appointment. The intake is important, as it gives me time to familiarize myself with your health history, so that I can provide you with the best possible care.
How should I dress for the acupuncture visit?
Please wear loose-fitting clothing to the acupuncture session - clothing that is loose enough to comfortably fold above the elbow and roll above your knee, to ensure easy access to your arms and legs. Ideally, you would also be wearing an outfit that would provide easy access to your abdomen and low back (so please don't wear a dress or jumpsuit to the acupuncture visit).
Can I eat before the acupuncture visit?
Yes! In fact, I would prefer that you not arrive on an empty stomach. It is important that you have eaten something in the day prior to arriving for acupuncture, whether that be a meal or a snack. If you have not eaten at all, there is a chance you will feel nauseous after the acupuncture visit.
How can I best support my body after the acupuncture session?
After acupuncture, I recommend resting or taking it easy for the first few hours (when at all possible), staying extra hydrated, eat cleanly, and try to avoid any stressful situations. This is to minimize any post-treatment side effects, such as detox symptoms, and to maximize the benefits afforded by the session.
Can I exercise after the acupuncture session?
No. If we are treating an injury or painful area with the acupuncture, there is a chance you may have a temporary increase in soreness following the acupuncture session lasting for up to one day, as well as an increase in sensitivity. As such, I recommend taking at least 3 hours of time to recover after the acupuncture session, and for some people, the entire rest of the day. During this recovery time, I recommend avoiding any vigorous activity like exercising, gardening, physical therapy, or yard work. If you take part in these activities immediately after the acupuncture session, there is a chance you will have a flare in pain, and negate the benefits of the session.
If we are not treating an injury or painful area, then my general recommendation is to rest or take it easy for 3 hours after the session, to avoid the risk of experiencing detox symptoms, which might include nausea, headache, fatigue, and generally feeling unwell.
A detox is rare after acupuncture, but if you experience the symptoms listed above, please rest as much as possible for the remainder of the day, drink extra water, avoid alcohol, fried foods, and sugar, and try to get to bed early that night.
What style of acupuncture do you practice?
I draw from a variety of acupuncture techniques and styles, ranging from Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture, to Master Tung Acupuncture, to Scalp Acupuncture. The one overarching theme of my treatments, however, is that I have a very gentle approach, and will use the minimum needle stimulation possible to garner the best results.
How long will it take for me to feel the benefits from the acupuncture sessions?
My goal, first and foremost, is to help you get back to living your life to the fullest. How quickly we get you there really varies from person to person, and depends on how sensitive you are to the acupuncture, how severe the condition is, and if you are willing and able to make small adjustments in your life to help further your progress.
Generally speaking, I recommend 6-12 weekly sessions to see substantial benefit, and assist your body in finding new footing. Some people show improvement after just one acupuncture session, while others only begin to show improvement after four or five sessions. Everyone is different. For example, low back pain that has been present for over 20 years might be slower to respond to the acupuncture than low back pain from a recent muscle strain.
The benefits of acupuncture are cumulative in nature, and so once you start to experience an improvement, that improvement will gradually increase over the course of weekly treatments, with the symptom relief lasting for longer and longer periods of time.
If, after 6 treatments, we are not seeing any improvement, then there may be other modalities that would be more beneficial for your body or your particular condition.