Classical Acupuncture in Maine

What to Expect

If this is your first acupuncture treatment, you may be wondering what to expect. Here is an overview:

First Treatment
The first time you come for a treatment, I will spend time getting to know you and your medical history. Everyone is different, and treatments need to be tailored to fit your specific way of processing and healing.

The second part of the treatment will involve a physical exam according to traditional Chinese diagnostics. This focuses especially on Chinese pulse taking as a way of understanding the health of organ systems and how well they are relating to each other.

Finally, there is the acupuncture, itself. This is the insertion of fine, pre-sterilized needles into specific points on the body in order to encourage the body’s healing process.

How does Acupuncture Feel?
For some, the insertion of a fine needle goes unnoticed. For others, the sensation may range from a small pinch followed by a feeling of tingling, numbness, a dull ache, an electrical sensation, or heaviness. Often, localized pain is reduced right away. The overall experience after treatment is one of relaxation and elevation of spirit.

After the Treatment
Acupuncture treatments continue on for another 24 to 72 hours. Your sleep may be improved. Your digestion and bowels may be more efficient. Your mood may be more balanced, steady and open. We all have a baseline of experience that we know as normal. Generally, it is helpful to tune in to how that baseline is different in the coming week, whether that baseline relates to differences in the primary symptom or in your overall feeling of wellness.

FAQ's

How much does a treatment cost?
How long is a treatment?
What type of payment is accepted?
Will insurance cover acupuncture?
How should I dress for a treatment?
What if I need to cancel an appointment?
Will acupuncture help me?
How many acupuncture treatments will be needed?

How much does a treatment cost?
$135 for the first appointment.
$90 for all treatments after that.

How long is a treatment?
The first appointment is 2 hours.
One hour for all other appointments.

What type of payment is accepted?
Personal check or cash. I do not accept credit cards.

Will insurance cover acupuncture?
Many insurance policies cover acupuncture. You will need to check with your insurance company to see if your policy will cover you. I do not process insurance for you. You are expected to pay for treatment services at the time of your appointment. I will provide you with a receipt that you can use for insurance reimbursement.

How should I dress for a treatment?
Loose clothing is best. Many acupuncture points are located on the lower legs and forearms, so having access to these areas is helpful. In general, I also request that you avoid using makeup or perfumes if possible.

What if I need to cancel an appointment?
We request 24 hour notice if you can’t make an appointment. Otherwise, we will require that you pay for the missed appointment. We will make exceptions for severe weather, illness, or family emergencies.

Will acupuncture help me?
Acupuncture helps many conditions. Sometimes people get better instantaneously, and other times there are conditions that seem to be out of reach of any treatment modality. In the end, the only way to know for sure is to give acupuncture a try.

How many acupuncture treatments will be needed?
Everyone is different. For acute issues that have just happened, it might only require one treatment. For chronic problems that have been around for while, it will generally take more time to clear up. The longer you have had a problem, the longer the healing process. In such cases, many people come more frequently (say, once a week) at the beginning until a more sustainable level of improvement is reached. We recommend that you come in for 4 to 5 treatments, initially, to see if acupuncture makes a difference.