FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• What does acupuncture and Chinese Medicine treat?

  • Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine treat the whole person, no matter what the symptom or complaint.  It is effective for preventative care, as well as when you have a specific health goal to address, such as pain, menstrual irregularities, migraines, insomnia, or anxiety. If you’re wondering whether you’re a good candidate to try Chinese Medicine, contact us for a free consult. It’s efficacy has been particularly well researched and documented for the following conditions:

• Does acupuncture hurt?

  • These needles are not the needles you recall from your childhood! About ten acupuncture needles can fit inside the tip of a typical hypodermic needle–they are incredibly thin and mostly painless.  Often, you won’t feel them at all! While acupuncture is not known to be painful, it is common to feel sensations at the site of the acupuncture points, such as heaviness, warmth, a dull ache, or a traveling sensation from the point or in other areas of the body affected by the acupuncture. Acupuncture is a holistic, low-risk treatment that often leaves people feeling deeply relaxed.  Many people fall asleep during their appointments.  Harriet Beinfield, author of Between Heaven and Earth, wrote about acupuncture: “It’s not like a hypodermic needle that injects a foreign substance – what I’m feeling is simply more of myself.”  Sounds nice, doesn’t it?

• Is acupuncture safe? What are the risks?

  • Acupuncture is considered a minimally invasive and very safe treatment modality. For most people, the benefits outweigh the minimal risks that are present.  Minimal risks include slight bruising, numbness or tingling, pin-prick bleeding at site of the acu-point, dizziness or fainting.  More substantial yet rare risks include nerve damage, organ puncture, or infection. Single-use, sterile needles are used to prevent infection, and your provider is well-trained to be cautious needling over the chest and abdomen to avoid organ puncture.  We encourage you to ask any questions during your treatment, as your comfort is our utmost priority.

• Do I have to be ill to get treatment?

  • Absolutely not!  Acupuncture is wonderful for preventative medicine and stress reduction.

• Do I need a referral?

  • Typically you do not need a referral for acupuncture.  You can make an appointment RIGHT NOW. However, if you plan to use health insurance, please check with your insurance provider first.

• I’m currently sick or pregnant…Can I get treatment?

  • Absolutely.  We are here for you to help you get back on your feet when you’re feeling down and to support you throughout your pregnancy. If you suspect you may be pregnant, please let your provider know as that may impact the points that are selected for your treatment.

• Do you treat women’s issues and infertility?

  • Yes!

• Do you take insurance?

  • Yes! We are In-Network with BCBS, Always Health Partners, Harvard Pilgram Health Care and United Healthcare.  Give us a call and we will gladly look into whether your policy includes acupuncture benefits.

• What should I expect at my first treatment?

  • If you don’t fill out your new patient paperwork prior to your visit, please arrive 20 minutes early to fill this out.  It is ideal to wear loose, comfortable clothing for your treatment. For more, please visit our page: What To Expect.

• How long are the treatments?

  • Initial visits are typically between 75-90 minutes. Follow-up visits last from 50-60 minutes.

• Where is your office?

  • In the Dundee Park Mill Buildings at 3 Dundee Park Drive, Suite B10, Andover MA 01810. For easiest access to the suite, park in the large lot behind 2 Dundee Park Drive and enter at the center of the building at the entrance labeled “Main Entrance for Buildings 2 and 3”.  From here take the elevator down one floor and Suite B10 is just outside the elevators.

• Is there parking?

  • Yes! There is ample parking available.

• Other questions?

  • Please shoot us an email or give us a call at #781-951-3456.  We’d love to share more about this beautiful medicine with you!