FAQs
What to expect during the visit?
1
Most visits are the same in length, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Intakes and questions can take longer. It is important to answer everything that is of concern to you with your health, body, and lifestyle. Acupuncture diagnosis and treatment include every aspect of your life, not separating you into pieces, parts, organs, or sections of a body. We look at the Whole, often referred to in scholarly work as the “whole body treatment”.
After the intake, you will be asked to lay comfortably, either face up, or down, often both, in one treatment. This practice involves gentle palpation to the body to first confirm diagnosis, to select which points to use to clear these areas, and re-palpated to make sure that the desired affect is achieved. A softening of tight areas and tightening of lose areas, and both the patient and myself will feel the results. I will explain everything before doing anything. Please feel free to ask any questions and I will do my best to answer every question.
What do I wear for acupuncture?
2
Please bring loose shorts and loose shirts to change into. Often patients come from work and there are sheets, to put over you, just like when getting a massage.
Does acupuncture hurt?
3
As pain from a needle is the exact opposite reaction to what the goals are with acupuncture, every attempt to be as painless as possible is made. If you cause pain this causes a sympathetic reaction that is undesirable. We are tapping into the parasympathetic mostly, calming the body and gently guiding it back to balance.
Is it safe and can I have acupuncture with my medications?
4
Acupuncture is extremely safe with a well-trained acupuncturist.
Please continue all your care, as acupuncture is a lovely addition, not a substitute. If you have any concerns, or questions, or want to know about your case specifically, please reach out to me, any time.
How many sessions will I need?
5
This also varies from case to case. Goals, objectives, and perspective outcomes will be discussed at every session.
How much does it cost?
6
Insurance doesn’t always cover acupuncture services, so please verify with your own insurance company and know the number of visit limitations and co-payments amounts. I do offer discounts for Seniors, Natives, Military/Veterans, and low-income adjustments. I am in network with many companies here in Washington. California patients are cash only.