Frequently Asked Questions:   

What can I expect during my treatment? During the initial treatment, we will spend time talking about your reason for visit and personal medical history, followed by palpating your pulses and looking at your tongue. We then select acupuncture points and a treatment plan based on the chinese medical diagnosis derived from the acquired information above. Once the needles are placed, the client will relax in a comfortable position on a massage table for approximately 25-40 minutes. It is not uncommon for one to fall asleep during this time. Initial visits typically take longer than follow ups, so we ask that you plan on reserving 90 minutes of your time for the first treatment and 60 minutes for follow up treatments.

Do the needles hurt? Discomfort with the insertion of an acupuncture needle is little to none. The needles are extremely thin and often compared to a strand of hair because if their fine nature. The stainless steel needles are individually packaged, sterilized, and disposed of after a one time use. Most clients report feeling a deep state of relaxation while the needles are in place.

How many treatments will I need? The number of treatments needed will depend on the individual and the comlexity of each case.  The practitioner will discuss with you the number of treatments you may need over a period of time after the initial assessment has been made.  Generally speaking, acute conditions take fewer treatments than chronic ailments.

Does insurance cover acupuncture? At this time, most Iowa insurance companies still do not cover acupuncture. However, we encourage everyone to call their insurance company to inquire about acupuncture coverage, if for nothing else, to bring awareness to this issue. All clients are asked to pay in full after each visit. We will provide you with the necessary receipt of service for third party reimbursement if applicable. Acupuncture treatments are included under the flexible spending accounts.  Medicare and Medicaid do not cover acupuncture treatments.