FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT
ROCHESTER COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE
WHAT IS COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE?
Most acupuncturists in the US treat patients on tables in private rooms. This is not true in China where acupuncture usually occurs in a community setting. In our clinic, several people receive individualized, one-on-one acupuncture treatments simultaneously in comfortable recliners in an open, shared space. Treating patients in a community setting has many benefits: it's easy for friends and family members to come in for treatment together and a collective energetic field becomes established which actually makes individual treatments more powerful. Treatments generally last around an hour, though modifications can be made if you have time constraints or need extra time to relax. Many people fall asleep, and wake feeling refreshed.
HOW MUCH DOES A TREATMENT COST?
Most acupuncturists in the US see only one patient per hour and charge $65 to $175 per treatment. They tend to spend a long time talking with each patient, going over lengthy medical records, asking many questions. We don’t. Our sliding scale for treatments is $15 to $35--you pay what you can afford. We want you to be able to come as often as necessary to get well!
The only way that we at RCAc can make acupuncture affordable and still make a living ourselves is to streamline our treatments and see multiple patients in an hour, so we have returned to the traditional approach--instead of asking you lots of questions, we rely on pulse and tongue diagnosis to diagnose and treat.
DO YOU TAKE INSURANCE?
No. Because we have a sliding scale, we cannot do insurance billing (that’s the insurance companies’ rule). If you have insurance that covers acupuncture, we’ll be happy to give you a payment receipt, and you can submit it; that’s OK with the insurance companies.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT WHEN I COME FOR A TREATMENT?
Your first treatment will require paperwork, so please come 10-15 minutes early. The initial paperwork fee is $10. You will select a chair, take of your shoes and socks, have a seat, and get comfortable! Your practitioner will ask you questions & feel your pulse, and then insert needles. The treatment generally lasts about an hour, the needles will be removed, and the treatment will be complete! We ask that you pay when you arrive, and schedule your next appointment prior to your treatment.
HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK?
Acupuncture is the insertion of extremely thin needles into specific points on the body. Modern studies, although unable to explain how it works, have shown the effectiveness of this ancient healing form (see research). According to traditional Chinese medical theory, energy or qi (pronounced ‘chee’) flows throughout the body along interconnected networks called channels or meridians. Qi provides nourishment and energy to all tissues and structures of the body. When the flow of qi is impeded (due to variety of factors including injury, stress, or improper diet), pain and illness ensue. Acupuncture frees and balances qi flow to restore the delicate harmony of the body.
DOES ACUPUNCTURE HURT?
Acupuncture should never be painful. You will however feel a sensation like pressure or a dull ache when the needles are inserted. All needles are single use, sterile, disposable stainless steel needles.
WHAT CAN ACUPUNCTURE TREAT?
Chinese Medicine is a complete model of medicine that treats the whole person and therefore can be helpful for any type of imbalance. Some examples include:
chronic pain, anxiety, stress, depression, addiction, painful menstruation, menopause symptoms, carpal tunnel, bell's palsy, digestive problems, IBS, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, asthma & allergies, sinus problems, headaches, sciatica,fatigue, hypertension, hypotension, thyroid disorders, dizziness & vertigo, urinary tract infections, low immune function, insomnia & sleep disorders, infertility.
