HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK?

In short I have two answers for you. On the western side I am going to be sticking a metal object in an electric body. Our dermal layer (know as the skin barrier) will get stimulated and first responder cells come up and see if they need to repair anything or not, just like when you get a paper cut. We then connect with the fascial plane that can stimulate changes in the area and beyond, the lymph is also touched as well as the nervous system being activated. If we could measure how all these systems talk to one another we would have a measurable way to understand how acupuncture works. Recently, scientific research has started to designate acupuncture as more than an old modality but rather a procedure that can be used “in a wide variety of clinical conditions.” “A number of studies suggest that its mechanism of effect can be explained in biomedical terms. In this context, a number of transmitters and modulators including beta-endorphin, serotonin, substance P, interleukins, and calcitonin gene-related peptide are released.” (Complimentary Therapies in Medicine, 2016)

From the Eastern perspective we can think of  the meridians where the acupuncture points are found as being gentle creeks of water. The needle acts like a small rock or stone being inserted into the flow of the creek. For the time that the needle is in the body it has the flow move in a new way around the area. When I remove the needle the flow can then go straight through in a new way. This is of course a very simplified analogy of what is going on when we needle an acupuncture point. 

WHAT CAN ACUPUNCTURE TREAT?

Most people think that acupuncture is mainly for treating pain. They would be correct, but it can and does do so much more. In general I tell my clients that aside from structural issues like a deviated septum or a broken bone that you will need to be set by a doctor, we can treat almost anything. This medicine was the only medicine available in China for thousands of years and the approach of balancing the entire system around what specific symptom you may have is key. It is a preventative medicine. In China, years ago, if you became ill under the supervision of an acupuncturist you would stop being paid. This is an entirely different way of approaching health. Instead of seeking out treatment only when you are ill, here is an entire medical approach that supports you in remaining in optical wellbeing by design. 

HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED BEFORE I SEE RESULTS?

This is a somewhat difficult question to answer. The longer you have had the issue the longer it may take to see results. If you have sprained an ankle or pulled your back a week ago you may only need 2-3 treatments to seem huge changes if not complete resolution of your discomfort. If you have had chronic pain for 10 years it may take a series of treatments over a few months to get the same results. In general I tell people to plan on doing 2 sessions in a row normal within 7 days of each other for us to see how things are shifting and then we can make a plan from there. I tend to get a better sense of what we are looking at as far as duration of treatment once you come in for a session.

DOES ACUPUNCTURE HURT?

Generally speaking NO! If you come in with an active injury or pain site, you will feel me more than if you are coming in for a stress tune up. If you have pricked yourself with a safety pin that is more discomfort than what you will experience from an acupuncture needle being inserted. These needles are as fine as a human hair and are often referred to as a cat’s whisker. You can fit up to 10 of them in the tip of a hypodermic needle depending on the gauge of the needle being used. They are made of stainless steel and are designed to push the skin aside as opposed to a hypodermic needle that is used to insert or remove a substance of the body. Many people do not feel me at all as I administer a treatment. Often times people fall sound asleep on the table during their sessions. 

WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING A TREATMENT?

Before you arrive I will have looked over your new patient paper work to get a sense for why you have made your appointment. Upon arrival for your appointment you will be led back to a treatment room where we will discuss the details of what has had you seek acupuncture. We will cover any current symptoms or discomforts and then I will ask you a series of 10 questions that I ask everyone to get an overall sense of what systems of the body may need some support. If anything stood out in your paperwork that I would like to know more about I may ask it at this point of our session. I tend to end our intake with asking what you hope to get out of that days session and or where you would like us to begin our focus on this journey of well being. I will then have you get comfortable on the massage table and administer the acupuncture section of your appointment. You will lay with the needles in for 30 minutes. If it is your first session I tend to check on you once while to make sure you are comfortable and warm enough. After the 30 minutes concludes I will remove the needles and may or may not add in another modality if need like cupping, guasha or reiki. Follow up sessions are similar but the intake portion is much shorter as I will already have a detailed account of what has brought you into the clinic. I will always give you a suggestion as to how long before your follow up session may be needed at the end of your visit. 

HOW LONG DOES A TREATMENT LAST?

Expect to be here for 90-120 minutes for a new patient visit and about 60 minutes for a follow up visit. View our Treatments for detailed information on each service offered. 

WHEN DO YOU SEE PATIENTS?

Our hours are by appointment during the following: 
Tuesdays: 10am-8pm
Thursdays: 10am - 8pm
Saturdays: 9am - 1:30pm

Hours are subject to change. You can make an appointment by calling 872.216.3345, emailing at info@oliveblossomacupuncture.com, or booking online.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Price varies depending on the treatment received. Please visit the Treatments page for a breakdown of price for each treatment. Discounts are available for students, seniors, fire, police, and military.

WHAT TYPES OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?

Cash and checks are my preferred forms of payment. I also accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. FSA and HSA cards are also acceptable forms of payment.

DO YOU TAKE INSURANCE?

I do not take insurance. All treatments must be paid for at the time of service, but I can provide you with a detailed superbill that you can submit for reimbursement if acupuncture is covered under your plan

DO YOU OFFER VIRTUAL CONSULTATIONS?

I do! We would set up an appointment to talk via zoom or facetime so I can see you and be able to show you were acupressure may be helpful. If you are close to the clinic dropping off or mailing ear seeds or ear tacks to you to place on yourself while we do our virtual session is a highly effective way for you to have an at home session. Reiki of course is always an option long distance. With those sessions I tend to call you and we chat for a bit before I begin sending the energy to you and describe what I am feeling throughout the session. Both of these options have been highly effective this past year when our offices were not open, or if individuals could not make it into the clinic