FAQs

What can I expect during the first visit?
Your initial visit will last approximately 90 minutes. This time will be spent conducting an assessment based in Chinese Medicine. This assessment consists of discussing your medical history and primary complaint and feeling your pulses on both wrists. Occasionally your practitioner will look at your tongue or feel your abdomen. You will then receive an acupuncture treatment and will rest comfortably on the table for 20-25 minutes with the lights off and quiet music playing. You will be given a doorbell to ring in case you have any concerns during this time. After resting, the practitioner will return to remove the acupuncture needles and take a few moments to answer any questions and discuss follow up treatments with you. You can then check out at the front desk and schedule a follow up visit.

Is it painful?
No. The feeling of acupuncture varies from person to person. It is normal to feel a gentle poke when the needle is inserted. The poke sensation lasts a split-second and then is gone instantly. After that, people describe what they feel in different ways. Some people feel nothing. Some feel gentle pressure, tingling, or aching. These sensations also go away quickly. If acupuncture was uncomfortable or painful, patients would not come back for continued treatment.

How many treatments will I need? And how frequent?
This is a very common question, and unfortunately there is no single answer. Because everyone’s body is different, and complaints vary, it is difficult to predict how long it will take to get the desired results. The number and frequency of treatments will depend on your condition and response to acupuncture. Most people find it necessary to come in weekly for 6-8 weeks to make significant progress. After that, many can move to coming in every two weeks, and then finally move to monthly visits for maintenance. Since our bodies are continually under stress, we recommend that once you have reached your goal, you come in at least once every time the seasons change to maintain your health and well-being. 50 percent of our patient base comes in weekly and has been doing so for years. After treating their main complaint, they realize acupuncture helps them feel well and maintain health. And by being in a state of wellness, disease is prevented.

How long do visits last?
Follow up acupuncture treatments last about 60 minutes; herbal consultations last about 30 minutes. Cupping is available in 30- or 60-minute appointments.

What is your cancellation policy?
If you are unable to keep your scheduled appointment, please contact the office at (630) 299-3464 at least 24 hours prior to your appointment time. To cancel a Monday appointment, please call our office by 5:00 pm on Friday. Because of patient volume, all appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice, or before 5 p.m. on Fridays, will be assessed a $55 cancellation fee.

Can I use my Health Savings and Flex Spending Accounts (HSAs and FSAs)?
Yes, in most cases we can accept HSA’s or FSA’s.

Do you accept health insurance?
Because of the small nature of our office, currently we don’t accept health insurance directly. However, if your health insurance policy includes acupuncture coverage, we will provide you with an industry-standard super bill that you can submit to your insurance company to receive reimbursement based on the benefits of your policy.