Frequently Asked Questions

Acupuncture is recognized by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to be effective in the treatment of a wide variety of medical issues. Here is a list of a few concerns that acupuncture has been effective in treating:

• Addiction-alcohol, drug, smoking
• Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Chronic Fatigue
• Colitis
• Common Cold
• Constipation
• Dental Pain
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Digestive Trouble
• Dizziness
• Dysentery
• Emotional Problems
• Eye problems
• Facial palsy/Bells palsy/tics
• Fatigue
• Fertility
• Fibromyalgia
• Gingivitis
• Headache
• Hiccough
• Incontinence
• Indigestion
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Low back pain
• Menopause
• Menstrual irregularities
• Migraine
• Morning sickness
• Nausea
• Osteoarthritis
• Pain
• PMS
• Pneumonia
• Reproductive problems
• Rhinitis
• Sciatica
• Seasonal affective disorder
• Shoulder pain
• Sinusitis
• Sleep disturbances
• Smoking cessation
• Sore throat
• Stress
• Tennis elbow
• Tonsillitis
• Tooth pain
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Urinary tract infections
• Vomiting
• Wrist pain
• and much more.

Rates vary and depend upon what procedures are performed.

Insurance coverage varies from state to state. Contact your insurance provider to learn what kind of care is covered. Our office will provide you with all the necessary paperwork to recover any insurance benefits you may have. Our office does not accept insurance.

Herbs can be a powerful adjunct to acupuncture care. They are used to strengthen, build and support the body. Our practice has a complete supply of herbs on hand in capsule or tablet form. No cooking!

Yes! In some instances children actually respond more quickly than adults.

Acupuncture is extremely safe. It is an all-natural, drug-free therapy, yielding no side effects except feelings of relaxation and well-being. The needles are sterile, used once, then properly discarded.

TThe sensation caused by an acupuncture needle varies. Some people feel a little ‘pinch’ as the needles are inserted, but most people feel no pain at all. The needles are tiny, just a little larger than a cat’s whisker or human hair. Lucy uses only the finest and most comfortable needles available for her patients.

TThe number of treatments will vary from person to person.

TThe tongue is a map of the body. It reflects the general health of the organs and meridians.

TThere are 12 pulse positions on each wrist that will be palpated. If there are any problems, they may appear in the pulse.

During the initial exam a full health history will be taken. Questions will be asked regarding symptoms, health and lifestyle. You will have your pulse and tongue checked. This information is then organized to create a complete, accurate and comprehensive diagnosis of where Qi has become blocked or imbalanced. Your visit may last anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes.

At the core of this ancient medicine is the philosophy that Qi (pronounced ‘chee’), or vital energy, flows throughout the body. Qi circulates through specific meridians. Meridian pathways are like rivers. Where a river flows, it transports life-giving water that nourishes the land, plants and people. An obstruction of Qi anywhere in the body is like a dam, backing up the flow in one area and restricting it in others. This blockage can hinder the distribution of the nourishment that the body requires to function optimally.

Acupuncture is an effective form of health care that has evolved into a complete and holistic medicine system. An acupuncturist will place fine, sterile needles at specific acupoints on the body. This activates the body’s Qi and promotes natural healing by enhancing recuperative power, immunity and physical and emotional health.