Frequently Asked Questions

Acupuncture has its origin in ancient Taoist philosophy which views a person as a energy system in which body mind and spirit are unified, each influencing and balancing the other. This ancient art of healing involves the insertion of very fine needles into specific points of the body. Acupuncture needles are very fine, sterile, disposable, and FDA approved. According to World Health Organization (WHO), the National Institute of Health and clinical experience, acupuncture is useful in treatment of:

• Chronic and acute pain- injuries, headaches, neck and back pain, tendonitis, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia
• Neurological disorders – trigeminal neuralgia, Bell’s palsy, post-stroke recovery, movement disorders
• Upper Respiratory Disorders – asthma, allergies, bronchitis, sinusitis, sore throat, laryngitis, colds and flu
• Digestive Disorders – IBS, colitis, constipation, diarrhea, gastritis, heartburn, ulcers, food allergies
• Urinary and Reproductive Disorders – menstrual cramps, irregular or heavy periods, infertility, menopausal symptoms, cystitis
• Immune function – recurrent infection, supportive treatment for cancer and HIV/AIDS patients – helping with nausea, fatigue and pain

You may consider reading article “Neurobiological Mechanisms of Acupuncture for Some Common Illnesses: A Clinician’s Perspective” for the medical explanation of the mechanism of acupuncture.

Here is the post explaining why acupuncture needles don’t hurt. In short, acupuncture needles are extremely thin, many times thinner than the injection needles. Sensations differ depending on where the needle is inserted – body or extremities. Ordinarily you would not even feel the needle inserted in the body, and when you feel it, it would be more of a tingling. When the needle inserted in the extremity (hand or foot), you might sometimes feel a slight short prickling sensation. At any rate you would be pleasantly surprised how painless the whole procedure is.

Sometimes the results is visible after the very first visit, but ordinarily it takes 4 visits to see the progress. That’s why we offer our “4 visit package”. For some ailments (e.g. pain management) you will want to have the initial treatment followed by monthly (or bi-monthly) maintenance visits to keep your condition under control.

The first visit takes 60 minutes and includes a full medical history, physical examination and acupuncture treatment. Please come to your first session with your new patient paperwork completed. Bring the list of all medications, vitamins and other supplements you are currently taking. If possible, refrain from wearing makeup and perfume.

Download paperwork:
– Consent to treatment form
– HIPPA form
– New patient information form

I recommend that you receive 1 session per week for 4-6 weeks after your initial session. The follow up visit usually takes about 45 minutes. Once you’ve reached your health goals, I recommend you a minimum of one session a season, to maintain your good health.

Approximately 20% of insurance plans in Georgia presently cover acupuncture. Please contact your insurance company to determine eligibility and coverage. Medicaid and Medicare do not provide coverage for acupuncture. Even if your insurance does not cover acupuncture, the cost of the treatment is similar to the out-of-pocket cost of a medical specialist visit.

We take Visa/MasterCard, American Express, cash and personal checks.

You find out more by calling and setting up 30 minute free initial consultation. The free consultation is an opportunity for you to find out if our office is the right choice for your health care needs. Ask questions about our knowledge and experience and/or costs of treatments. Office consultations are recommended, however phone consultations are available.