What is "Community Acupuncture?"
Most US acupuncturists treat patients on tables in individual cubicles. This is not traditional in Asia, where acupuncture usually occurs in a group setting.
In our clinic we use recliners and tables grouped in a large, quiet soothing space. Treating patients in a community setting has many benefits: it’s easy for friends and family members to come in for treatment together; many patients find it comforting; and a collective energetic field becomes established which actually makes individual treatments more powerful.
In some styles of acupuncture, the needles are removed after only a few minutes or after a half hour at most. At HCA we prioritize rest and leave needles in for 45 minutes, or until patients feel “done;” this can take from fifteen minute up to the full forty five minutes!
You will hear soothing white noise in the community treatment room but if you prefer silence or other music, please feel free to bring earplugs, an ipod or phone and earbuds (please keep volume low), eye pillow or anything else that will add to your relaxation.
I am a new patient. What do I need to know?
Chronic & acute pain – Also known as the number one reason to see an acupuncturist. Conditions such as joint and muscle pain, nerve pain, bone pain, fibromyalgia, arthritis, as well as headaches and other discomforts. Most conditions with a “pain” component to them will respond well to acupuncture.
Gynecological and Urological issues – including benign prostatic hypertrophy, endometriosis, PCOS, menstrual difficulties, and menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes.
Fertility – including general fertility support as well as situations involving all assisted reproductive technologies. We work with many local reproductive endocrinologists and are experienced in seeing people through many advanced reproductive procedures, including IUI and IVF. We also treat many people to support them through healthy pregnancies and after birth; many breastfeeding parents come to us for treatment of plugged ducts, mastitis and to build milk supply.
Fatigue, including chronic fatigue syndrome, or just a general feeling of being tired or run down. Stress induced fatigue or anxiety are also common reasons to get treated with acupuncture. Addressing the stress component within the body has been shown to have a positive effect on upwards of 80% of all conditions as well as leaving you just feeling pretty darn good.
Most chronic or seasonal conditions such as allergies, asthma, and lung or sinus related conditions will respond extremely well to acupuncture and can be an excellent way to keep yourself feeling good.
Various autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are well controlled with a course of regular acupuncture “maintenance” treatments. Inflammation can be a major component of these conditions, and acupuncture addresses this quite well.
Conditions that don’t respond to conventional treatments are some of the best candidates for acupuncture. We see good success with “mysterious” symptoms that are hard to pin down to one specific cause.
Health problems with a mental or emotional component respond extremely well to acupuncture. Physical disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, fibromyalgia, insomnia, and migraines will often flare up during times of stress. Depression and anxiety are also both great candidates for acupuncture. We also treat many people for support with overcoming addictions as well.
You will need to fill out a health history and consent forms prior to your first visit. Your first visit will include a consultation in which your practitioner will review your Health History Form, including your medical history and details about the condition for which you are seeking treatment. The practitioner’s goal is to get to know you, your condition, and your habits so that they can offer you comprehensive, high-quality care. *Our forms are filled out online through our electronic health records portal. If accessing our intake forms over the internet is a challenge for you, please call the office and we will email forms for you to print out and bring, or have you fill out forms in the office.
New patients should expect to be at the clinic for 65 minutes total. Your treatment can be any length up to 45 minutes. One thing that makes our model different than many people are used to is that you, as the patient, decide how long your treatment will take. You might become deeply relaxed and sleepy during a treatment, and then at some point, your body will start to wake up and you will know that you are done. At this point you will catch the eye of the acupuncturist and they will come remove your needles. Most people stay anywhere between 30 and 45 minutes. If it has been 45 minutes, the acupuncturist will gently wake you and remove your needles.
Please wear loose, comfortable clothing. We will mostly need access to your feet and legs up to the knee, and your hands and arms up to the elbow – so your clothing will need to allow us access to those parts of your body. Depending on the issue, we may ask that you wear specific clothing to future appointments, but comfy loungewear is always good. Please do not wear tight pants or stockings. Skinny jeans are fine as long as they can go up to your knee. Please don’t wear strong scents like perfume or cologne. Some people are either allergic or will have a hard time relaxing around these fragrances.
New patient appointments are $45. Our sliding scale for returning patient treatment is $25-45.
Payment is due in full at time of treatment. HCA accepts payment of cash, checks and credit cards, including most HSA/FSA cards.
We do not accept insurance. We’re happy to provide a superbill-style receipt that you can submit to your insurance company, if you have acupuncture coverage.