What should I expect at my first visit?

Please have your new patient intake and forms completed before your visit or arrive early to fill them out. Make sure you have eaten a meal or small snack before your treatment. At an initial visit we review your current and past health history while discussing your main reasons for seeking acupuncture treatment. I will do examinations such as taking your pulse, inspecting your tongue, doing orthopedic and range or motion tests and palpating an affected area. I will discuss how acupuncture can benefit you and create a treatment plan tailored for you. I will answer any questions you may have.

Then you will relax on a heated massage table in a cocoon of comfort with infrared heating lamps and soothing sounds in one of our tranquil rooms. Acupuncture needles are placed and you will rest for 30-45 minutes. Meridian Lakes Acupuncture will be your favorite place to relax and recharge each week. Plan to rest and wind down early the night of your initial treatment if possible because most patients feel tired after an initial treatment as the body prepares for a healing shift.

The number of treatments differs from patient to patient and condition to condition. Some acute and minor issues can be managed with one treatment. Most people are seeking acupuncture for chronic ailments for which they will need a series of acupuncture treatments to determine effectiveness – plan for an initial set of 4-6 treatments.

Acupuncture is a cumulative treatment, so sessions are often done once to twice per week to start depending on severity of your condition and then as you improve and reach goals we begin the process of weaning.  Our goal is to get you as independent from acupuncture as possible while retaining amazing benefits. In some cases, conditions are cured and patients need no long term follow up care. I will work with you to develop a plan of care that is individualized for you and your goals and will discuss this at an initial appointment and follow ups as needed. 

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The needles are as thin as a human hair and most people experience very minimal discomfort, if any at all. Once the needles are in place there should be no discomfort, only relaxation. Many people enter a deeply restful state or even fall asleep during acupuncture. While it is normal to be afraid of needles, you will wonder what took you so long to try acupuncture when you experience the incredibly gentle needling style that I have honed over two decades as a licensed acupuncturist.

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The main differences are the setting and cost. Community acupuncture done in a group setting in zero gravity recliners. You share the space and the attention of the acupuncturist, which means it can be offered at a reduced rate. The goal and outcomes are the same – effective acupuncture done in a peaceful setting. It allows patients to come in more frequently and on a budget.

All patients start with an initial intake and treatment to determine if they would be a suitable candidate for community acupuncture.

No, Meridian Lakes Acupuncture does not accept insurance.  We do provide superbills that you are able to submit for reimbursement from your insurance for acupuncture services, however.  We do accept FSA and HSA cards for payment.