FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What can I expect during a treatment? First, we'll go over your health history and chief complaint (what brings you to acupuncture). We'll answer any questions you have, and give you a quick orientation to the clinic. You'll then have a treatment designed just for you, in a recliner or on a massage table in a lovely community room, where we see 3-4 people per hour. Everyone is spaced more than 6 feet apart. Masks are optional. We use very fine, sterile, single-use needles. You'll feel a pinch at some points, at others you'll feel nothing at all. All points should be comfortable once they're in and settled. If you feel any discomfort, let your practitioner know and they'll make any adjustments needed. Some people experience immediate relief from pain. Nearly everyone feels relaxed; often people fall asleep during their treatments.
What can I expect after a treatment? Each time is likely to be a little different. Most times you'll feel very relaxed afterwards, often for several hours or days. Sometimes you'll feel a little sleepy, other times energized. In terms of your symptoms, after the first treatment the most common response is a few days' relief and then a return to baseline. It is common for symptoms to come back at first. With subsequent treatments we are often able to get the effect of the treatment to last for longer and longer.
How often will I need to come? Our goal is to help you get back to health so that you no longer need regular treatment. Typically, the longer you’ve had a symptom/concern, the longer it will take to resolve. For chronic complaints, we recommend that you begin by coming once a week for 4-6 weeks. At the 5th or 6th visit, we'll assess how much progress we’ve made and make a plan from there. Some people choose to continue with weekly treatments because the acupuncture is so helpful to maintaining their health. Others like to space out their treatments more. Our advice when spacing out treatments is this: once the progress from a treatment is lasting for a whole week, to space out to every 2-3 weeks for a few rounds, and then move to monthly or whatever maintenance routine works best for you. Some people come monthly, seasonally, or simply come back when symptoms return or something new crops up. Once you get used to acupuncture, you’ll get a sense of how often is right for you, and we are always happy to offer our professional recommendation if you’d like.
Is acupuncture safe? Acupuncture has been used by millions upon millions of people worldwide. Beyond occasional bruising or lightheadedness, there have been no adverse effects found to date as long as proper procedures and sound treatment strategy are followed. Massachusetts requires that acupuncturists be licensed through the MA Board of Registration of Medicine. To become licensed, a practitioner must achieve a state-mandated level of training, have proven knowledge of clean needle technique, and pass national board exams through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. To maintain this license, they must continue their training through approved continuing education courses. Practitioners at GCA have met all of these requirements.
How is community acupuncture different from private acupuncture? We see 3-4 people per hour and all treatments are performed in a group room, meaning that there will be a couple/few other people in the room during your treatment. Everyone is more than 6 feet apart. We run white noise machines and soothing music in the main treatment room, and have an office available if you'd rather speak in private. If you're sound sensitive, consider bringing ear buds/plugs; if you're light sensitive, feel free to bring an eye mask. We schedule appointments to begin every 15 minutes, so timeliness to your appointment is especially important! If you arrive more than 10 minutes late we may not be able to see you.
Can acupuncture help children? Children respond very well to acupuncture—which means that, in a setting like ours, you can have family treatments all together. Most children accept needles very well; they don't feel like shots and are nowhere near as painful as getting one's ears pierced. We use fewer points for younger children and a shorter retention time. Because of the logistical constraints inherent to community acupuncture (i.e. time and space in the clinic room), we aren't able to treat kids younger than 6 with acupuncture, but offer herbal medicine at all ages.
Do you accept insurance? No, we do not bill or process insurance. If your insurance covers acupuncture, find out if you can pay out of pocket and be reimbursed. If so, we can provide a superbill for you to submit for reimbursement.
Can I use my FSA/HSA card to pay for my treatment? Yes, for both acupuncture and herbs.
Other questions? Call us at (413) 992-8877 or email ben@trygca.com
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