We often hear the same questions about acupuncture, so much so that we created an "Acupuncture FAQ" series on our YouTube channel Beachside Acupuncture. Find the written answers to common questions below followed by links to the video versions when
applicable. If you don't see your question here, don't hesitate to contact us.
What does acupuncture treat?
The short answer is almost anything! Acupuncture is best known for treating pain, but because Licensed Acupuncturists look at
how all of the body systems interact, they can treat everything from insomnia to infertility to indigestion and more. Acu FAQ Video
What is acupuncture?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a system of medicine that includes many therapies, the most popular of which is acupuncture. Acupuncture involves the insertion of needles into acupuncture
points and has been used for thousands of years. We do not offer other services like moxibustion, cupping, or gua sha at the clinic, choosing instead to focus solely on acupuncture
treatments. Acu FAQ Video
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture works by evening out imbalances in the body. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, symptoms of pain, insomnia, infertility, etc. result when imbalances (or what we call patterns) occur
from our lifestyles, diets, injuries, and other factors. In Western medicine, acupuncture regulates hormones and neurotransmitters, improves circulation, increases white blood cell activity, and
more. For more information on how acupuncture works for specific conditions, click through the buttons on our homepage. Acu FAQ Video
Is acupuncture effective for weight loss?
Acupuncture can improve digestion and energy, decrease pain, and regulate cravings, all of which will help a person's metabolism and motivation. That being said, acupuncture should be seen as another tool to help you lose
weight, not as magic bullet that will make up for poor diet and lifestyle choices. If weight loss is your goal, your Licensed Acupuncturist will discuss your diet and lifestyle with you in
addition to using acupuncture points to help you. Acu FAQ
Video
What is a treatment like?
Treatments at Beachside Community Acupuncture may be different from what you've experienced before and can be broken down into two parts. First, the Licensed Acupuncturist will discuss your chief
concerns and ask questions about your health in a private office. At this time, she may also look at your tongue and feel
your pulse; from all of this the acupuncturist will have a good idea of how your body is balanced. This will take
about 15-25 minutes at your first appointment and 5-10 minutes at your follow-ups.
Next, you'll take a seat in our community treatment room where the Licensed Acupuncturist will insert the needles and then leave you to relax for up to an hour. This part can be cut shorter if
you need to leave early, but we always suggest the full hour if you have the time. Therefore you can expect to be at the clinic for about an hour and a half at your first appointment and a little
over an hour at follow-ups.
Other people will be in the treatment room with you; the recliners are still spaced more than six feet apart. We no longer require masks but if it makes you more comfortable to wear one, you're
more than welcome to do so for any part of your visit. Acu FAQ
Video
Is acupuncture painful?
Most of the needles you won't feel at all because they are so small (about the diameter of a hair), but some may feel like a mosquito bite when they are inserted. Some patients feel sensations of
heaviness, tingling, warmth, or coolness as circulation starts in the body - some feel these even where there aren't needles - but often patients don't feel anything at all and just go to
sleep. Acu FAQ Video
How many treatments will I need?
Every patient is different and will need a different treatment plan. We usually recommend coming in two to three times per week for two to three weeks and then tapering off from there. Some
conditions will require more time to treat depending on their severity and how long they've been an issue. Many patients like to continue coming in regularly even after an issue has been resolved
just for the chance to relax. Our goal is to get you to a "maintenance" level in which you only come in once every month or two to keep your body balanced; just keep us in mind if
anything else comes up! Acu FAQ Video
How do I schedule an appointment?
You are more than welcome to book your own appointments online or by searching for us in the Vagaro phone app. You may also call us at
214-417-2260 to have a receptionist schedule you by phone weekdays 8:30 to 5. We look forward to helping you!
Se habla español?
No - necesitará traer un traductor.
How much do treatments cost?
All of our treatments are on a sliding scale, $65-$95 for the first appointment (including consultation and treatment) and $50-$80 for follow-ups. Sliding scale means you pay what you can afford
within that range, and what you choose to pay makes no impact on your treatment quality or length. We go by the honor system. Those who can pay the full amount do, and those that need to give
themselves a discount can. Acu FAQ Video
What payment methods can I use? / Do you take insurance?
We accept cash, credit card, debit card, and check. We don't accept insurance, but if you have an FSA or HSA card, we can run it as a credit card.
What kind of training does an acupuncturist have?
A Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) must hold at least a Master's degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in order to practice. TCM graduate programs usually take three years and include
hundreds of classroom and clinical hours. After that the acupuncturist completes four national board exams and must apply for a license in each state where he or she intends to practice, agreeing
to complete a designated amount of continuing education hours in each state. Some Licensed Acupuncturists choose to maintain a national certification as well as their state licensing; these
practitioners also have "Dipl." after their names. Acu FAQ
Video
Is acupuncture safe for pregnant women?
If you are struggling with infertility, acupuncture can support your body and give it stability, whether you are trying to
conceive naturally or are using a medical intervention like intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF). If you've conceived and no longer need acupuncture for fertility,
still consider receiving regular treatments to maintain your health throughout your pregnancy. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help common issues like nausea and back pain, and even improve
outcomes for women who have a history of miscarriages or other serious complications. There are a few points that we avoid in pregnant women - for example points in the abdomen and the points
that we use to induce labor - but otherwise acupuncture treatments are very similar and just as effective during pregnancy. Acu FAQ Video
Do you reuse needles?
We have only single-use, sterilized needles at our clinic, meaning as soon as a needle is removed, it is immediately thrown into a sharps container to be disposed of as medical
waste. Acu FAQ Video
