Frequently asked questions
Do you accept insurance?
Though we do not accept insurance at this time, patients may use their Health Spending Accounts or Flex Spending Accounts towards visits. I will happily provide you with an itemized receipt, also known as a superbill, to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. All visits are paid for out of pocket at the time services are rendered.
My insurance covers acupuncture treatments. How do I get started with billing them?
Good news! I will initiate the process by providing you with a superbill, which has all the relevant information that is requested by insurance companies for submitting a claim. Expect around four weeks to receive an Explanation of the Benefit and a reimbursement check.
Why should I see an acupuncturist?
The new direction that modern medicine is now taking on is fueled by patients’ desire to not only resolve their health issues naturally, they also are seeking ways to prevent illness and maintain their health. Acupuncture accomplishes both goals beautifully. Nearly one in every ten adults already use acupuncture to treat their medical conditions, according to a survey conducted by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
Acupuncture:
is proven to be safe and effective
has shown to work for a wide range of medical conditions
treats the whole person: mind, body and spirit for complete health
has no side effects
is being used by over 1/3 of the world’s population for medical care
is a time-tested natural form of medicine used for over 2000 years
How does acupuncture work?
According to Chinese medical theory, dis-ease arises when there is an imbalance in the flow of qi, or life energy, along any of the fourteen major channels in the body. These channels are linked to specific internal organ systems, such as the Heart, Liver, Lung, Kidney, etc. With the insertion of hair-thin needles at specific points along the affected channels, qi is then redirected and balanced, thereby improving health. An individual with abundant and free flowing qi possesses strength, flexibility, normal physiological function, a strong immune system, and a clear decisive mind. Various factors can disrupt the flow of qi: trauma, poor diet, emotions, substance abuse, overmedication, lack of rest and of course, stress. Acupuncture restores the body back to equilibrium by needling those relevant points that will initiate such a process.
Does acupuncture hurt?
No, acupuncture does not hurt for the vast majority of people. The needles used during a treatment as as thin as a strand of hair. They are nothing like the typical hypodermic needles used for injections by a doctor or nurse. Along with proper technique, the use of a guide tube will also help to minimize the sensation. A guide tube places pressure around the location to be needled and acts as a distraction while the needle is gently tapped into place. Following insertion, you may feel a sensation of warmth or tingling, or more commonly, a dull heaviness around that area. Most people actually feel so relaxed during a treatment that they fall asleep.
Is it safe?
When administered by a licensed acupuncturist, acupuncture is a very safe form of therapy. Needles are single use, sterile, and immediately disposed of after removal so there is no risk of cross contamination.
What does a treatment consist of?
Before arriving to your appointments, wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to ensure your comfort. Shirts and pants with wide openings are best so that they can be pulled up to your knees and elbows. The first visit is typically the longest, between 60-90 minutes. Follow up visits are usually 45-60 minutes. The exam and treatment itself consists of taking a thorough medical history, a brief physical examination, feeling the pulses, looking at the tongue, and palpating areas of the body. The actual needling part only takes a few minutes after which you will be relaxing on the table for 30-40 minutes. Usually no undressing is required as most needling can be done with a simple adjustment of loose fitting clothing. If appropriate, other adjunctive therapies may be applied after the needling such as cupping, electrical stimulation, or herbs.
How many treatments will I need and how often are they recommended?
This depends on several factors: the nature of the condition, the duration, frequency, and severity, the overall health of the patient, as well as how compliant the patient is with the recommendations following a treatment. Chronic cases may require twice weekly visits for several weeks, and then taper off as the patient makes progress. For most people, acupuncture is often a last resort when all other therapies have failed. With this in mind, it is strongly recommended that you come in for a minimum of six sessions to fully experience the benefits of acupuncture and repeat sessions every few months to maintain your progress.
Hours
Tu, Wed, Th:
9:30 am – 6 pm
Every other Saturday (please contact to book):
9 am – 1 pm
Location
2033 Santa Clara Ave
Alameda, CA 94501
(parking in back)
Phone
(510) 282-3200
hello@acupuncturewithgrace.com