Frequently Asked Questions

I will begin the initial session with a number of questions used to determine the nature of your health problem. The questions are used to ascertain the patient’s personal and family medical histories and help me develop a diagnosis and proper treatment protocol. After the initial intake, you will rest on a comfortable table for the treatment. The treatment itself involves the insertion of very thin, sterile, single use needles into specific points on the body. You may feel a slight prick as the needle is first inserted into the skin. After insertion, you may experience numbness or a tingling sensation that will last a short time. You rest on the table for about 25 minutes then the needles are removed. That’s it!! We will then determine the number of treatments needed. You may only need one session to get relief and resolution or more sessions depending on your condition. Along with the needles, you may also take Chinese Herbal Formulas in pill form and receive some nutritional and lifestyle suggestions.
Acupuncture is a safe, comfortable way of restoring health. I use only single use, sterile, individually packed needles that are immediately disposed of after use. One possible risk is bruising at the site of insertion but the bruises are small and usually go away after a few days. It’s important to tell your medical doctor you are seeing an acupuncturist to help coordinate it with your regular medical care. He/She can also rule out life-threatening conditions such as heart disease, cancer and acute infections.

The first visit which includes a lengthy consultation and acupuncture treatment is $160. This visit will usually last from an hour and a half. The follow-up visits are $120 and usually last an hour. Much of this is time spent with the acupuncturist. The fee is paid at the time of visit and the patient is given a ‘superbill’ which is sent to the insurance company for possible reimbursement. I accept personal checks, cash and credit cards. Insurance plans vary so you are encouraged to call your insurance carrier. Of course remember, the possibility of being symptom free and having a higher quality of life is priceless.

Yes. From a Chinese perspective, the Kidney system is responsible for growth, reproduction and aging. Therefore the changes that occur during menopausal are generally due to a decline of Kidney-Essence energy. Herbal treatment is effective at nourishing the Essence. An acupuncturist will identify a specific pattern of imbalance and prescribe herbs on an individual basis. 

Often patients ask me how acupuncture works. I feel comfortable explaining this using traditional Chinese medicine concepts such as “qi” and meridians but not fully articulate when it comes to the Western science explanation.