Frequently Asked Questions

marie with patient
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a holistic treatment modality used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It involves insertion of single-use, extremely thin, filiform (solid), stainless steel acupuncture needles at specific locations on the body to create a physiological shift in body function and to reduce pain.
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture needles are inserted into the body at points along acupuncture meridians. These meridians act as conduits of energy flow, like a circuit system in the body, to make a physiological shift in body function. The needles are working on local tissues (muscles, fascia, nerves, blood vessels) and at the level of the brain and endocrine system to create these shifts.
What is Chinese Medicine?
Chinese Medicine is a traditional system of diagnosis and treatment with origins in China that has been in use for about 3,000 years and was popularized in the United States starting in the 1970’s. It includes treatment modalities, such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, Chinese medical nutrition, cupping, gua sha, and moxibustion.
How long will it take to see results?
At the beginning of care, patients ask me “How long is this going to take?”. The answer is, it depends. Everyone is different. Results are affected by the severity of the condition, your constitutional strength, your age, how many years the situation has been left unaddressed as well as how committed and available you are for regular, weekly visits and your openness to incorporate lifestyle modifications, supplements or herbs.

Patients should expect to come in for weekly visits to start. This can range from 6 to 12 weeks or more depending on the situation. It is understood that vacations, business trips or family obligations may occasionally interrupt weekly care. Just keep in mind that this can slow down your rate of recovery.

I find that duration of care can last

  • A Reason:  Some patients that come in have robust health and are dealing with an injury, a sudden stressful event or a relatively new imbalance that will respond quickly. Their concern might be handled in a matter of weeks or months.
  • A Season:  Some patients that come in are experiencing a more significant change in their life and health and need more support while they navigate it. This could include concerning hormonal changes, exhaustion as they finish a project or leave a stressful job or a more severe injury. I may see these patients for six to twelve months.

    • Some patients come in seasonally for support of their allergies, seasonal affective disorder or to get rebalanced while on break from the school year. I have patients who come in annually for a few months to ensure that they navigate difficult seasons with greater ease.

  • A “Lifetime”:  When working with patients I like to be clear about the results we’re aiming for, whether those results have been achieved and whether the benefits of acupuncture are worth their time and resources.
Do you take insurance?
I am not currently taking new insurance patients.
Do you bill Kaiser?
I do not bill Kaiser.
Do you bill medicare?

I do not bill medicare. Acupuncture is only covered by medicare if performed by a Medical Doctor or Nurse Practitioner with a degree in Chinese Medicine and a license to practice acupuncture. Refer to the medicare website:  https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/acupuncture#:~:text=Not%20all%20providers%20can%20give,than%20chronic%20low%20back%20pain.

Do you take HSA / Flex Spending?
Yes I accept HSA and FSA spending cards.
Do you do you bill Medpay insurance?
I bill medpay insurance for existing patients and for clients of Theresa Baumgartner, Personal Injury Attorney.
Do you work with personal injury liens?
 I only do personal injury liens for clients of opens in a new windowTheresa Baumgarner, Personal Injury Attorney<. 
Is it painful?
I have been told that my needling style is quite painless. Occasionally I have a patient for whom needles feel more intense. Often it’s the anticipation of the needles that is the worst and patients get used to this. I strive to be economical and efficient with the number of needles that I use in treatment and implement techniques for making needle insertion feel as painless as possible. (I used to work at an agency that supported boys with addiction and behavioral issues where I became adept at getting 13 year old boys to be enthusiastic about receiving acupuncture.)
Do you prescribe herbs?
Yes, I prescribe herbs and supplements as part of each patient’s treatment plan.
Do I have to take herbs or supplements?
Herbs and supplements are optional and sometimes not possible depending on someone’s western medical protocols and prescriptions. Herbs, supplements and nutritional shifts are powerful ways to augment the effects and response to acupuncture. I find that physiological shifts occur more quickly, the more someone is able and willing to incorporate herbs and supplements. If herbs and supplements are not possible I tend to emphasize nutrition and lifestyle approaches.
Do I *need* to change my diet and lifestyle? (I think I have a very healthy diet… I have an emotionally hard time restricting my diet… I am unwilling to change my diet… My lifestyle makes it impossible to change my diet… I am working with another professional on my diet… I can never stop having sugar or coffee or my wine or…)
I get it. I remember the first time I met with an acupuncturist and they told me popcorn and beer were the reason I was having skin issues. I didn’t listen to them, I stopped going and I pursued western treatment for the condition. Lucky for me it responded. Iit wasn’t until years later that my health issues were severe enough that I needed to pay attention to the acupuncturist’s advice to overcome the momentum of my unhealthy lifestyle.

Every week I see my patients gather up their will power to fine tune their diet each week. I am aware that it can be physically and emotionally hard to restrict the foods and beverages that we’re used to enjoying or rely upon to get through a hard day, big deadline or to celebrate life. I’m also a human being and have been through it all myself.

This is a conversation we’ll navigate together. Chinese Medicine has a unique way of understanding physiology. One person might do really well on a certain type of diet and it might be kryptonite for someone else. On the first visit we’ll talk about your current lifestyle and diet and I’ll reflect back to you the implications that I understand it to have based on Chinese Medical Nutrition. Then together we’ll explore how, when and if it’s possible for you to incorporate this wisdom into your life.

I work with other professionals, therapists with specialties in eating disorders and nutritionists that will guide and support you through this journey if additional support is needed.

If you’d like to discuss any of this further do feel free to reach out and schedule a 15-minute consultation.

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