FAQs           Acupuncture Do I have to believe in acupuncture for it to work? What can acupuncture be used to treat? Does acupuncture hurt? I'm afraid of needles. What happens during an initial visit? What happens during a typical follow-up treatment? What can I expect after a treatment? What forms of payment do you accept?

Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most common and dependable medical
therapies used in the world. It is simple, safe, effective and sustainable health care by its nature.

Acupuncture practitioners use thin, sterile disposable needles inserted
superficially into specific areas of the body in order to initiate
healing and promote health.

Over the three decades or so in which acupuncture has developed in the
U.S., it has been proven to be safe and effective at treating many conditions.

Do I have to believe in acupuncture for it to work?

You do not have to believe in acupuncture in order for it to work. We have treated many skeptics successfully. However, approaching anything with an open mind and a positive spirit will improve prognosis, no matter what treatment you try.

Acupuncture's function in treatment is not well understood, though many theories exist.  Those who research the science of acupuncture will find a way to explain how it works (stimulation of neuro-receptors, for example) but that is just part of the picture. We think of acupuncture as stimulating the overall energy of the body to help it function smoothly. This energetic stimulation works to bring your body back into a natural balance. This has been proven to work, whether your therapeutic need is pain reduction, detoxification, fertility enhancement, and countless other conditions (see below).

What can acupuncture be used to treat?

Though it may sound like the treatment is general, to relieve stress or improve the immune system, we assure you, its effects can be quite specific.

The following is a list from the World Health Organization (and some from our own experience) of conditions that can be successfully treated using acupuncture:

Abdominal pain
Constipation
Diarrhea
Hyperacidity
IBS
Indigestion
Anxiety/nervousness
Depression
Insomnia
Cancer treatment symptoms
Neurosis
Poor vision
Tinnitis/ear pain
Toothache
Infertility
Menopausal symptoms
Premenstrual syndrome
Blood pressure regulation
Poor Immune system
Stress reduction
Arthritis/joint pain
Back/neck pain
Muscle cramping/pain
Sciatica
Headaches
Mesothelioma
Migraines
Neurogenic bladder dysfunction
Parkinson's disease
Postoperative pain
Stroke
Asthma
Bronchitis
Common cold
Sinusitis
Tonsillitis

Does acupuncture hurt? I'm afraid of needles.
Mostly it does not hurt at all, if you feel anything it may feel like a mild bug bite which quickly subsides.

It is natural for most people to fear needles. However, acupuncture needles are very thin and are not painful. We have never once had a patient discontinue treatment because it was too painful.

What happens during an initial visit?

You will fill out intake forms so please come 15 minutes early to complete them.
There is a $10 one-time paperwork/administrative fee due at your first
appointment.

After paperwork is done, you'll meet with your acupuncturist to
discuss your health concern(s) after which time a treatment plan will
be recommended for you. Your acupuncture treatment comes next.

Please wear comfortable clothing. You'll just have to roll your
sleeves and pant legs up, in order to get ready for your treatment, as
we use styles of acupuncture which allows us to select points primarily on
the arms and legs.

What happens during a typical follow-up treatment?

After paying for the visit and scheduling future visits (if needed) our
patients will bring themselves into the treatment room on their own and
make themselves comfortable in a recliner of their choice. After a brief
conversation between patient and practitioner, pulses at the wrist and
neck are taken. Depending on a variety of factors, a specific point prescription
is selected. Typically after this time people feel very sleepy and may
nap for a while.

What can I expect after a treatment?

In general, you can expect to feel relaxed for several hours following
an acupuncture treatment. How you respond specifically to treatment varies with each person and with each treatment. We recommend checking in with your practitioner at the beginning of treatment.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept, cash and checks. For a $1 surcharge, we accept Visa or Mastercard (debit or credit) payment

We do not accept insurance coverage, but would be happy to offer a
receipt for your visit so you may submit it directly. Do keep in mind
the cost of an acupuncture treatment here at 1WCA can be substantially less than a discounted rate on a typically-priced acupuncture visit - or even a typical insurance co-pay.