Frequently Asked Questions about Acupuncture and Chiropractic
Do you take my insurance?
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We are contracted as in-network providers with: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicare, and United Healthcare insurance. We accept FSA/HSA. Your policy may vary, please call us if you're interested in our services. With your permission, we will inquire on your behalf to verify your benefits in advance. Please know that depending on your policy, you may still be responsible for deductibles, co-pays, or co-insurances. For the best answers to your insurance questions, please call the number on the back of your card and ask them!
At this time we do not accept Care Credit, and are not in-network providers with Cigna, Humana, BCBS HMO, or Medicaid. People with these insurance plans often choose to self-pay for care, and receive our time-of-service discount.
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What if my insurance does not cover Chiropractic or Acupuncture?
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Unfortunately, not all policies cover complimentary and alternative medicine. Some have high deductibles or only cover certain conditions or services. Sometimes we only have limited information available to us, you may need to call the insurance company for more details.
We do apply a time-of-service discount to make care as affordable as possible.
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What if I don't want my neck/back cracked?
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There are many ways we can work together towards optimal wellness. For those who do not like it, no pressure, we have other treatment options. Nothing will ever be done without your permission. We can use an activator, we can use mobilizations, and we can use end-range-loading techniques. We have modalities available including therapeutic ultrasound, interferential current, and low-level-laser. Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine offer many more additional treatment options including: needle acupuncture, gua sha, fire cupping, moxabustion, tui na, and laser-puncture.
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What is Acupuncture?
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Acupuncture is a complex system of medicine that has been helping us for thousands of years. The World Health Organization and the US Department of Veterans Affairs are among the organizations researching, and reporting the benefits of this traditional treatment. It is based on Qi, the energy that circulates throughout the body along pathways traditionally known as meridians. Very small sterile needles are inserted at precise locations of the body, to re-establish and maintain balance and flow of qi. The body’s natural healing mechanisms are thus encouraged to improve physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Acupuncture stimulates the release of our internal pain reducing neurotransmitters and regulates levels of hormones associated with the body’s healing processes. Research has identified the existence and flow of an extremely small network that correlates with traditional acupuncture points and associated meridian flows, and more studies are on the way.
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Does acupuncture hurt?
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Acupuncture needles are small, thin and flexible. They are sterile, disposable, and single-use only. While it is usually near painless upon insertion, you may then feel some heaviness or electric sensation near the needle or flowing along the meridian. Patients often feel relaxed and sometimes sleepy once the needles are inserted. Occasionally, there may be a drop of blood or a slight bruise when the needles are removed. Harmful side effects are very rare.
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How long does an acupuncture treatment take?
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The first visit is comprehensive, and usually takes 60-90 minutes. Standard treatments then are typically 30-45 minutes long. Most people begin to feel the benefits after 3 or 4 treatments, sometimes immediately. Chronic conditions may require more frequent care, perhaps 2 treatments a week
for awhile to feel improvements.
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Will Acupuncture help me?
Acupuncture is able to safely treat most imbalances in the body. We are available to discuss your unique situation and needs by scheduling a complimentary 10-15 minute consultation in-person or via phone. Your questions will be answered, and we'll have a conversation to see if Acupuncture is appropriate for you at this time. If it is safe and promising for your situation, and you feel we are a good fit and able to work together towards better health, we are accepting new patients and scheduling appointments for care.
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