FAQ
What does acupuncture help with?
Allergies, arthritis, general pain, stiffness, and soreness in the body, back pain, joint pain, inflammation, carpal tunnel, chronic pain, healing after a surgery or injury, headaches, fertility issues, menstrual cramps, PMS, and hormone imbalance, grief, anxiety, and depression, sleep disorders, fatigue, addiction to alcohol, nicotine, & other drugs, asthma, sinus issues, indigestion, hypertension, fibromyalgia, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, hot flashes, side effects of cancer treatment, and much more.
Does Community Acupuncture mean the same general treatment is used for every patient?
No, every time you come in I’ll check in to see how you’re progressing and what you’d like to work on. I have some beloved points that I use in almost every treatment, but each treatment is customized to address each patient’s specific needs.
Why don’t you use back points?
I practice distal acupuncture which allows for treatment of conditions on the trunk of the body without having to needle those areas directly. Acupuncture meridians are pathways that flow all over the body in an interconnected circuit. This allows me to use points on the limbs to address the back, abdomen, chest, internal organs, etc.
Appointment Info:
How do I make an appointment?
The best way is through the online scheduler. If that doesn’t work for you, please send me a text or give me a call at (716) 710-9303.
How long is an appointment?
The average appointment is 45-60 minutes long. I check the room every 5-10 minutes to make sure everyone is resting comfortably, so if you need to get up sooner you can always let me know by making eye contact and giving me a nod.
What should I wear and will I need to undress?
I practice Trauma Informed Care to the best of my ability, and part of that is not asking anyone to undress. Loose, comfortable clothing is best as you’ll be asked to roll up pant legs and shirtsleeves. I use distal needling, so most points will be on the limbs between the elbows and the fingers and the knees and the toes. I also use points on the head, ears, and shoulders. If there is anywhere you don’t want a needle you can always tell me and I’ll avoid that area, no questions asked.
Does acupuncture treatment hurt?
A little pinch or a sting when the needle goes in is normal, but if there’s any lingering pain or discomfort I’m always happy to take the needle out. Some spots you may not feel the needle at all and some may be very sensitive. It’s a little different for everyone and can even vary for the individual from one treatment to the next.
If a needle is painful does that mean it’s “doing something”?
I don’t believe there’s any benefit to sitting with a painful needle. Ideally, the treatment will help you to relax, rest, and maybe even fall asleep. A painful needle will just prevent you from relaxing and enjoying the experience. Some points may feel active and you may feel a sensation of movement somewhere in your body. That is positive and safe, as long as you’re still comfortable.
How often should I come for treatment?
Frequency of treatment depends on the duration and severity of what we are working on. For most patients, I recommend coming in 1-2 times a week for the first 3-6 treatments and assessing from there. Acupuncture works best in high doses, so you may not see a huge shift after one treatment, but as you progress through your first 6 treatments you should start to see a significant change. Frequency of treatment can be tough to gauge and can be a little different for every patient so I’m always happy to answer any questions about this. Ultimately the clinic is a tool for you to use as often or as little as you’d like.
Do you offer cupping, e-stim acupuncture or dry needling?
No, I do not.
About Community Acupuncture:
What is Community Acupuncture?
Community Acupuncture refers to the practice of treating multiple patients in a shared treatment space. This allows one practitioner to take care of multiple patients each hour of a shift. This allows for pricing to be offered on an affordable sliding scale.
Why the sliding scale?
I offer a sliding scale of $25-$60/treatment because I want to make acupuncture accessible to as many people as possible. I hear the same story from so many of my patients- “I started acupuncture treatment but couldn’t afford to keep going with it until I found a community clinic.” Acupuncture is a safe and effective modality and it works for many, many people to treat a wide variety of conditions. I am very passionate about affordable healthcare and am happy to have found a way to offer it.