In Chinese Medicine, we talk about major pathways (meridians) where our energy (Qi) flows throughout our body. When the Qi is moving freely as it should, we are healthy. However, if that Qi becomes stuck and backed up in a location, or on the contrary it becomes really deficient and lacking in a location, we develop physical, mental, and/or emotional pathologies.
Acupuncture uses very fine needles placed strategically in points along specific meridians to stimulate the movement of Qi in order to regain balance. Acupuncture can also be use preventatively to keep the body healthy!
Both the WHO (World Health Organization) and the NIH (National Institute of Health) have recognized that acupuncture is beneficial in treating over 40 conditions including headache, dental pain, post-operative and chemotherapy- related nausea and vomiting, menstrual issues, infertility, polycystic ovarian syndrome, low back pain, sciatica, neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, fibromyalgia, depression, anxiety, insomnia, allergies, asthma, hypertension, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal pain, and more.
With acupuncture we are penetrating the skin, however because the needles are so fine, generally there is not much discomfort (if any) with treatments. You may feel a small prick, a fullness, or minor electric sensation with the initial insertion, but once the needles are in, you almost forget they are there! Most people find treatments to be very comfortable and relaxing.
Yes, acupuncture and Chinese medicine (including herbal formulas) are very safe if performed by a qualified practitioner. Acupuncture has been used for over 3000 years! We think that is proof alone that not only is acupuncture safe, but it definitely works too! We use only sterile, single-use needles, which are disposed of after each insertion.
There are other strict guidelines in place for cleanliness and safety that all practitioners must abide by as well. In addition, there are very few side effects associated with acupuncture with the most common being slight bruising or irritation at the insertion sight. Some people may feel a little dizzy or nauseous after a treatment. However, this is temporary and can usually be avoided by not receiving acupuncture on an empty stomach.
Yes, in order to practice acupuncture, one must obtain a license from the state where he or she practices. Most states (including Minnesota) also require practitioners to pass the national board exam given by the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). You can learn more about them at http://www.nccaom.org/.
The schooling required to apply for a license in acupuncture is a 3-4 year Master’s program, with extensive hours of supervised, clinical training. Chinese herbal training is often an additional 2 years of classroom and clinical hours.
The amount of treatments needed varies from person to person. Some people experience results within the first few treatments, while others may take a few weeks of treatments to begin to see a shift. Acute conditions tend to heal faster than chronic issues. As a new client, we will want to see you twice a week for several weeks as acupuncture treatments build on each other. From there we can see the progress made and determine the future course of treatments. We generally begin to space out treatments to weekly for a while, then every other week, and so on. Most clients like to continue to come in for maintenance treatments on a monthly or seasonal basis as well.
Yes! We also offer Gua Sha, Cupping, and Moxibustion at Healing Lotus Acupuncture. Chinese herbal formulas may be ordered on a case-by-case basis as well. You can learn more about these services on our “Services” page.
We do not bill for insurance. However, you can check with your insurance company to see if you have any out of network coverage for acupuncture. If your plan does cover acupuncture, we are happy to provide you with a coded receipt, which you can submit to your insurance company. They will then reimburse you directly, according to your coverage. Most Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) consider acupuncture a qualified medical expense too. Many clients use these accounts to cover their acupuncture treatment costs if insurance will not.
The cost of your treatment program will vary depending on your specific case and recommendations.
We accept most major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, and American Express), HSA and FSA cards (if connected to a major credit card and if acupuncture is covered), personal checks, and cash.
During the consultation, we will look at your intake forms and discuss your health concerns to determine if acupuncture will be a good fit for you. If we think you are a good candidate, we will present our recommendations for a treatment plan and get you started the same day.
During treatments you will lie comfortably on a massage table. The needles are inserted and are left in for about 20-30 minutes, during which time you can relax or meditate and let the treatment sink in. This first visit usually lasts between 1-1.5 hours. Each time you come back, we will briefly check in before proceeding with the acupuncture treatment. Follow-Up visits will last about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Before each visit, make sure you are hydrated and not too hungry. Don’t eat a big meal right before treatments, but have a little something in your stomach. Try to wear comfortable clothing that is not too restricting on the arms and legs, as most needles are generally placed in points from the elbows and knees down, and often the head and belly.
Feel free to bring in any lists of any questions you may have so that we can address all of your concerns. After each treatment, we recommend refraining to anything that is overexerting on the body such as drinking alcohol, smoking, or very strenuous exercise. This will allow you to see maximum results from the treatments.
Yes! In fact, if you are already using other treatment modalities, you may see results from acupuncture treatments even faster.
Acupuncture can be used in conjunction with any and all medications without concern of interaction. It is possible that you will not require the same dosage as your treatments progress so it will be important to keep your doctor informed and work with them to make any adjustments.
We are so glad you are benefiting from treatments and love Chinese Medicine! You can help support us here at Healing Lotus Acupuncture by spreading the good word about the benefits of Chinese Medicine to any friends or family that might be interested. Feel free to post any reviews you might have on Google or Facebook. You can also follow us on Facebook, and Instagram. Thank you for your amazing support!