Frequently Asked Questions

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most common and dependable medical
therapies used in the world. It is simple, safe, effective and sustainable health care by its' nature.

Acupuncture practitioners use thin, sterile disposable needles inserted
superficially into specific areas of the body in order to initiate
healing and promote health.

Over the three decades or so in which acupuncture has developed in the
U.S., it has been proven to be not only exceptionally safe when
performed by licensed acupuncturists, but statistically effective in an
increasing body of scientific studies.

Why would I want to have an acupuncture treatment?

Here are a few responses to a question that may have hundreds of
answers...

To help you relax; to help you feel more energized; to help you
avoid illness/injury; to help alleviate physical pain; to help you
think more clearly; to help you stop thinking (especially around bedtime); to
help with a variety of digestive issues including GERD and IBS; to use
alongside many conventional therapies/medications for the purpose of augmenting their effect and lowering doses; to add legitimate choices for your
health care assistance.

As acupuncture is part of a whole and logical medical system, there is
almost always an approach for an acupuncturist to take for helping to
manage a health problem - or even better, help you to remain pain and
illness free.

In 1979, the World Health Organization published a short list of
conditions seen as appropriate for treatment with acupuncture. This is
in no way a complete list of conditions appropriate for treatment, but just some examples.

The list includes:

Abdominal pain
Constipation
Diarrhea
Hyperacidity
IBS
Indigestion
Anxiety
Depression
Insomnia
Nervousness
Neurosis
Gingivitis
Poor vision
Tinnitis
Toothache
Infertility
Menopausal symptoms
Premenstrual syndrome
Addiction control
Athletic performance enhancement
Blood pressure regulation
Chronic fatigue
Immune system tonification
Stress reduction
Arthritis
Back/neck pain
Muscle cramping/pain
Sciatica
Headaches
Migraines
Neurogenic bladder dysfunction
Parkinson's disease
Postoperative pain
Stroke
Asthma
Bronchitis
Common cold
Sinusitis
Tonsillitis

How much does an acupuncture treatment hurt?

Usually not much at all. Most people are deeply relaxed and/or asleep
once all points are placed.

What's the difference between a visit to a typical acupuncture practice
and a community acupuncture practice?

Most acupuncture treatments in the United States take place on a table
in a room by oneself. This is not traditional in Asia, where
acupuncture usually occurs in a community setting. We all know the
value of 'power in numbers'. Would you prefer to eat in an empty restaurant, or one that is full of people and bustling? How about an empty movie
theater? Us neither! A healthy group setting creates a dynamic that can
be used for all of our benefit in an acupuncture clinic. Receiving
treatment in a community setting has other tangible benefits, as well:
it’s easier for friends and family members to come in for treatment together
and many patients find it a relief to not be isolated during their
treatment.

In addition, the community setting allows patients to decide how long
their treatment will take, as the 'right' amount of time varies from
person to person, visit to visit. This can take anywhere from twenty
minutes to a couple of hours. You can stay as long as you feel
comfortable doing so – or until we close for the day! When you are feeling as
though you are ready to end your visit, or need to get our attention,
just give us a wink, nod or smile, and we will remove your needles or be
available otherwise.

Lastly, our clinic employs a sliding scale fee schedule to help make
acupuncture available to the whole community.

What happens during an initial visit?

You'll need to fill out forms which can take a few minutes to finish,
so please come 20 to 30 minutes early to complete them. Or, you can
download these forms from the top of this web page and bring the completed forms with you. This helps support us, since it reduces the amount of paper shuffling on our end. The forms are in PDF format, and require a .zip file manager.

There is a $10 one-time paperwork/administrative fee due at your first
appointment.

After paperwork is done, you'll then meet with your acupuncturist to
discuss your health concern(s) after which time a treatment plan will
be recommended for you. Your acupuncture treatment comes next.

Please wear comfortable clothing. You'll just have to roll your
sleeves and pant legs up, in order to get ready for your treatment, as
we use styles of acupuncture which allows us to select points primarily on
the arms and legs.

What happens during a typical follow-up treatment?

After paying for the visit and scheduling future visits (if needed) our
patients will bring themselves into the treatment room on their own and
make themselves comfortable in a recliner of their choice. After a brief
conversation between patient and practitioner, pulses at the wrist and
neck are taken. Depending on a variety of factors, a specific point prescription
is selected. Typically after this time people feel very sleepy and may
nap for a while.

How does it work/what is it really doing?

This is the million dollar question. The answer is - there is most
likely no one answer. Whether seen as a result of particular chemical/hormonal processes, movement of bio-electricity, vascular excitement, regulation of the central nervous system, connective tissue communication, 'placebo' effect, positive thinking or the manifestation of qi, acupuncture works.

What can I expect after a treatment?

In general, you can expect to feel relaxed for several hours following
an acupuncture treatment. Reactions specific to particular injuries or
health concerns should be addressed by the acupuncturist on an
individual basis.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept, cash, check, Visa & Mastercard.

We do not accept insurance coverage, but would be happy to offer a
receipt for your visit so you may submit it directly. Do keep in mind
the cost of an acupuncture treatment here at MAS can be substantially less than a discounted rate on a typically-priced acupuncture visit - or even a typical insurance co-pay.