Frequently Asked Questions

Acupuncture

How can Telemedicine help me?

As with face-to-face acupuncture, a virtual visit’s goal is to move Qi (energy or life force). Chinese Medicine sees symptoms as stuck qi. A symptom can also be one clinical manifestation of a pattern of disease. Once that pattern is diagnosed, your practitioner can make targeted and powerful suggestions on how to move your Qi to correct this pattern. The intended goal is to make you feel better, eliminate symptoms, and restore/maintain your wellbeing. When Qi is moving properly, you feel more rested, less anxious, in less pain. Feel free to request a free consult for more information.

How does Telemedicine work for acupuncture?

Telemedicine sessions are done either over the phone or by video conferencing for any condition. Telemedicine allows the opportunity to connect with your practitioner, as you would during a regular session, to share your health concerns. Your practitioner can ask follow up questions to help her assess your current situation or to make sure that you are progressing towards your goals. Once the assessment is made, the practitioner delivers a plan with tailored lifestyle, dietary recommendations. She may give you an herbal prescription, or illustrate how to perform an exercise or perform acupressure through video. In addition to it being a touchpoint, your practitioner has years of experience in understanding patterns of disease that can be corrected with simple approaches and formulas from Chinese Medicine.

Does Insurance Cover Telemedicine for Acupuncture?

Yes, thanks to rapidly changing guidelines set by public health officials in response to COVID-19, insurances have made some exceptions regarding acupuncture. Currently (as of 4/1/2020) there are restrictions with coverage. Please contact your practitioner for more information.

What is the Fee Schedule for Telemedicine?

Recognizing the unique financial circumstances of the COVID-19 quarantine, our fees for telemedicine have been temporarily reduced and vary depending on length of time ranging from $22 to $75 a session.

Does acupuncture hurt?

Acupuncture needles are ultra-thin, barely thicker than a body hair. The sensations that patients experience during acupuncture range from nothing at all to a brief ache or dull sensation in the area being needled. Some points are more sensitive than others. By and large patients describe the sensations as fleeting and deeply relaxing.

Is acupuncture covered by insurance?

A growing number of insurance companies will reimburse for acupuncture treatments. Call us today to find out if your plan has acupuncture benefits and eligibility. We are preferred providers for certain carriers.

Do I have to be ill to benefit from acupuncture?

Absolutely not. Many patients come for regular treatments to achieve increased effectiveness and enjoyment at work. Many others come to help deepen their relationships with others. Acupuncture is also a powerful preventative measure to keep patients healthy throughout the year.

Why would I see an acupuncturist?

Many patients begin acupuncture treatment to find relief from a wide range of physical conditions. What often begins as a concern over several symptoms often transforms into deep personal healing that reaches far beyond the physical condition. The greatest reason to begin acupuncture treatment is to recover and cultivate your awareness of the tremendous healing power of your body. Acupuncture awakens the senses and offers the possibility of deep healing of the body, mind and spirit. Many patients experience increased clarity, creativity, satisfying sleep, more energy and a clearer sense of purpose in their day-to-day lives in addition to relief from their symptoms.

Are the needles safe?

Yes. Sterile disposable needles are used. They are used once and then disposed of immediately. Strict adherence to Clean Needle Technique is observed.

What about herbs?

I prescribe patent herbal formulas for common conditions. Should I feel that you would benefit from a more individual prescription, I would offer you several referrals to herbalists whom I trust.

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

No. Acupuncture works on animals and they benefit tremendously from treatment without any preconceived notions of what it does. Skeptics and doubters are just as welcomed as believers and enthusiasts, acupuncture will do what it does regardless of one’s thoughts about it.

How frequently do I need to come to benefit from treatment?

Following the initial consultation, ideally you will be seen in weekly one-hour sessions for 6-8 visits. During this time, significant signs of progress will likely appear. As patients experience improvement in their condition and enjoy a greater sense of ease in life, treatments may be extended to every other week, every three weeks, monthly and eventually seasonally. The frequency of treatments varies with each individual. Strict adherence to patient confidentiality is maintained at all times.

I want to come for treatment, what do I do next?

You can schedule yourself directly on the website or contact us at the telephone number displayed on the top of our website, or email us: info@fivestonesclinic.com. We will discuss your concerns and schedule an initial visit. During your first visit we will explore a treatment schedule that will best meet your needs.

How do I get the most out of each treatment?

Be sure to eat well before coming to treatment. Avoid caffeine or alcohol during the day of treatment. Avoid intense physical activity before or after your scheduled treatment.

How does acupuncture work?

There are many different theories as to how acupuncture works. Some believe it’s the electrical stimulation that releases endorphins in the brain, other studies seem to prove that it’s a bio-chemical release that happens in our bodies. However, these definitions seem to be limited to the defining models of examination since not all is observable under a microscope or CT scan. Yet millions of Americans are now seeking acupuncture treatments and referring their friends and family. Their experiences are perhaps “anecdotal” but very valid.

This highly effective system of medical care is based on natural laws, which govern the movement of vital life giving energy, both in nature and in the body. This energy, called chi, moves through the body in precise channels supporting functions of the body, mind and spirit. When the chi is moving disharmoniously, imbalance begins to surface in the form of specific symptoms. To address the underlying cause of a condition, these symptoms are viewed in relationship to the totality of a person in order to explore the root cause of a condition or illness. The gentle insertion of hair thin needles at specific points along the channels of chi energy, help restore harmony at the deepest level of the body, mind, and spirit. In the presence of this subtle yet profound intervention, symptoms often resolve and patients frequently experience deep positive transformations.

Contact Us Today For An Appointment

Contact our office today for an appointment.