MissionFrequently Asked Questions
Basic Inquiries
Does acupuncture hurt?
The needles are extremely fine...quite different than the needles used for shots. You may feel a warm, heavy, achey sensation at the site of insertion, however, you should not feel anything sharp or unpleasant.
Are the needles clean?
Extremely. They are pre-sterilized, single use needles.
How much is a session?
A session costs $75 dollars. This includes the intake, acupuncture, cupping or moxa if necessary, and nutritional counseling. Herbs typically cost $30 for a week’s supply.
Does insurance cover treatment?
Some insurance does cover acupuncture. I will provide you with the proper paperwork that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.
Acupuncture and Fertility Treatments
When should I start treatment if I am planning an IVF cycle?
Ideally, one should start treatment three months before an IVF cycle. The best results occur when treatments are spread out through the protocol with 2 treatments a week during the stimulation phase. A treatment should be given before egg retrieval and pre/post transfer.
How does acupuncture help achieve pregnancy?
The uterine lining is not only important for implantation but for preventing miscarriage as well. Studies have shown how acupuncture can have a sustained effect on uterine blood flow; therefore, it is advisable to receive acupuncture during the first trimester with high-risk pregnancies.
Can acupuncture be used to treat infertility?
Acupuncture, frequently combined with herbal medicine, can improve ovarian function and follicular and luteal phases by moderating the hypothalamic pituitary ovarian axis. Additionally, it is shown that acupuncture can increase blood flow to the endometrium, helping to facilitate a thick, rich lining.
When should I stop getting acupuncture?
Typically most miscarriages occur within the first three months of pregnancy. Therefore, treatment of patients may often last through week twelve to help prevent miscarriage.
Acupuncture and Menstrual Irregularities/Discomfort
How does TCM treat PMS, painful periods, or irregular periods?
It differs from woman to woman. There is a saying with regard to Chinese herbal medicine, “Different treatments for the same disease; same treatments for different diseases.” Whether defined in traditional Chinese medical terms or as a biomedical entity, the same disease will be treated in different ways depending on the particular pathogenic mechanisms involved. The medicine recognizes that one disease can manifest in a variety of ways in people. It works because the focus is to ensure that qi and blood is strong and moving properly. Regulating a period is the first step of any fertility treatment.