Acupuncture does not hurt. Acupuncture needles are metallic, solid, and hair-thin. People experience acupuncture differently, but most feel no or minimal pain as the needles are inserted. Some people feel energized by treatment, while others feel relaxed.

An increasing number of insurance companies are now covering some Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine for some conditions. Check with your insurance provider prior to your treatment to find out if your policy covers acupuncture. Also ask about the specifics of the coverage.

Upon request I provide my patients with an invoice called a Superbill. A Superbill uses standardized codes for the treatments performed and is to be submitted to your insurance company for full or partial reimbursement of the cost of your visit, depending on your policy. Cost of treatment is due at the time of service.

A typical visit is 60 minutes. However, the first treatment will be longer, about 90 minutes. This time allows the acupuncturist to obtain a thorough evaluation and physical assessment. Treatment course is dependent upon the degree of the patients condition, whether it is chronic or acute and how quickly the patient responds to treatment. For optimal therapeutic effects, it is best to receive treatment two to three times a week at the beginning and less frequently as time goes on. Although some conditions may only require once a week.

We ONLY use single-use disposable needles, as required by law.

Many patients feel one or more of the following after receiving acupuncture: pain relief, drowsiness, spaciness, light-headed, relaxation, elevated mood, energized, tingly, heaviness or floating sensation, or sometimes nothing at all. The way that a patient responds is related to many variables, including the condition being treated, and the constitution of the patient. You may want to take a few moments to regroup after treatment, to make sure you are alert enough to drive safely. If you have any symptoms that concern you after treatment, please contact us by text message or phone at 858-344-0953 or via email at hello@ecolibriumwellness.com.

The acupuncturist interviews the patient at length, observes the patients physical condition, formulates a treatment plan and selects the appropriate acupuncture points. After treating the patient, will usually let the patient relax with the needles in for about 20-30 minutes, and sometimes longer if needed. In some cases the acupuncturist may perform an additional modality such as moxibustion, electro-acupuncture, cupping or gua sha during or after the treatment, when appropriate. After the needles are removed, the acupuncturist may prescribe an herbal formula or supplement to go home with.

The severity and acute/chronic status of a health complaint as well as lifestyle factors of the patient impact how long it takes before a patient can expect to see some improvement. Acute conditions are often effectively treated with a small number of treatments over a short period of time, while chronic conditions are usually given a longer treatment plan, due to their complexity.