What to Expect and Frequently Asked Questions
What are your Acupuncture rates?
Standard rate for an hour-long treatment is $75 at my Denver office. For initial treatments, I recommend doing an hour and a half treatment in order to complete a thorough verbal intake. These treatments have a standard rate of $100 at my Denver office. These treatments include whatever the appropriate combination of acupuncture, consultations, moxibustion, cupping, and acupressure for your treatment is.
I have a sliding scale which goes down to $60 and up to $90. The low end of the sliding scale exists to be accessible for those who cannot afford standard rates and/or for those who are committed to regular treatment. The high end exists to support others who cannot pay the standard rate. It is a no questions asked sliding scale system.
There is no income or paperwork requirements for my sliding scale - it exists on an honor system. My rates are lower than going rates in Denver so I can work with a larger range of income brackets and to encourage regular treatments for maximum results.
Mobile treatments start at $100 and go up to $150 primarily depending on location and driving time. Mobile treatments may have additional costs if you are outside of the Denver-metro area. If you live outside the Denver Metro area and want a mobile treatment I ask for additional money to cover gas and travel time. Feel free to contact me about specifics.
Cash, check, Vemno, Paypal, Google Pay, Cash APP and credit card are all accepted. Please be mindful that credit card payments come with a 2.9% charge and thus are not preferred. Payment is due on the day of treatment.
I have a 24 hour cancellation policy so anyone who cancels their treatment within 24 hours of their scheduled treatment time still owes the cost of treatment (with exceptions for Covid or flu/infectious symptoms or for emergencies).
Do you Accept Insurance?
Sometimes. Please call your insurance company directly to find out if they cover acupuncture. Cigna Health Insurance, United Health Insurance, Optum Health Insurance, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and Landmark Health Insurance sometimes cover acupuncture. Please contact me for more information if you want to discuss this in detail.
What Can Acupuncture Help With?
Although not inclusive this is the World Health Organization's (WHO) list of conditions treated by Acupuncture:
low back pain
neck pain
sciatica
tennis elbow
periarthritis of the shoulder
sprains
headache - including migraines
peptic ulcer
dental pain
temporomandibular (TMJ) dysfunction
rheumatoid arthritis
nausea and vomiting
postoperative pain
primary hypotension
renal colic
leucopenia
adverse reactions to radiation or chemotherapy
allergic rhinitis
acute bacillary dysentery
acute epigastralgia
acute and chronic gastritis
depression (including depressive neurosis and depression following stroke)
biliary colic facial pain (including craniomandibular disorders)
morning sickness
What is Moxa/Moxibustion?
Moxibustion is the process of heating an herb on acupuncture points in order to treat or prevent imbalances. The herb, Artemisia Vulgaris (mugwort) is often done before needling and is sometimes used as a complete treatment in and of itself. Moxibustion can be rolled into cones and applied directly to the skin or can be used in the form of warming moxa sticks that are held a few inches from the skin.
Moxibustion can be used to reenergize a person, expel cold and dampness, stop bleeding, and remove stagnation. Moxibustion has been shown to be effective with rheumatoid arthritis, in pregnancy to turn breeched babies, and with menstrual problems.
What is Cupping?
Cupping therapy is an ancient Chinese form of medicine in which glass or plastic cups are put on parts of the body and then local suction is created on the skin in order to mobilize blood flow and promote healing. Suction is created using mechanical device hand pumps or using heat. I primarily work with mechanical hand pumps when doing cupping.
Cupping promotes the free flow of blood and qi in the meridians and is often used to help diminish swelling and pain. Cupping can relieve pain almost anywhere in the body, particularly the low back, shoulders, and legs, and can also help with menstrual cramps, stomach pain, coughs, and asthma. Cupping is even being used by Olympic athletes!
Does Acupuncture Hurt?
Acupuncture needles are thin, sterile, and disposable. Acupuncture needles rarely hurt the way people fear they will since they are significantly thinner than injection or piercing needles. Occasionally, one may feel a pinching sensation as the needles are inserted but this should settle within seconds. If there is any discomfort needles can always be adjusted. Acupuncture needles may also produce a vague feeling of movement, pressure, tingling, or aching. This feeling is not always pain and is sometimes a desired response as it is the Qi in the body moving.
What Can I Expect From An Acupuncture Treatment?
First treatments tend to be longer because there is an emphasis on talking and doing a health history. There may be questions about symptoms, diet, exercise, and lifestyle in the first session.
Treatments involve lots of pulse taking and looking at the tongue. Treatments could involve points almost anywhere on the body (although a client can always say if there are places they don’t want needles). While it is always optional, some amount of undressing is often ideal for acupuncture treatments and you should wear loose, comfortable clothes.
You may receive other treatments such as cupping or moxibustion at the same time as acupuncture.
Can I bring my child to my treatment?
If a child wants a treatment then absolutely! I practice shoni-shin which is a type of needleless treatment that can be very helpful with the health of children of all ages. If a child does not want a treatment, it is recommended when possible to find childcare for a treatment so that as much as possible focus can be on the parent. If a parent cannot find childcare, then a child is welcome to attend the treatment and can be given activities to entertain them.