Does acupuncture hurt?

I have many patients who are needle-phobic yet still come in for acupuncture regularly. Acupuncture needles are much smaller than the needles used for blood draws or for injections. You may feel a pinch upon insertion of the needle. Then afterwards, there may be a deep dull ache or a heaviness in the area. Most people find acupuncture to be deeply relaxing and even fall asleep during treatment.

Where are the needles placed?

All over! Since acupuncture channels run up and down the body, I usually place needles in the legs, arms, abdomen or back, head, face, and sometimes ears. So if you are coming in for knee pain, expect needles in other areas of your body.

How often do I need to come in to see results?

This all depends on what you are coming in for. Generally, I see the best results with acupuncture if you come in weekly for at least 5-6 weeks. You can then space the appointments to every 2+ weeks, depending on results. Some patients come as often as twice per week for acute issues; others come in once every 4-6 weeks.

For non-acupuncture patients, I recommend a follow-up 2-3 months after the initial appointments to check in on progress.

Can I get a full physical with labs done at your office?

No, since naturopathic doctors are not licensed in New York, I cannot be your primary care physician. Additionally NY has archaic laws prohibiting many non-conventional labs so those are difficult to order.

Do you take insurance?

No, I do not take insurance; however, you may be eligible for reimbursement from your insurance company if it accepts out-of-network acupuncture. I am happy to provide you with a superbill for you to submit to your insurance carrier for reimbursement.

Do you take flexible spending or health savings accounts?

Yes, acupuncture is covered under flexible spending accounts and health-savings accounts. Most FSAs and HSAs provide a debit card which you can use to pay for services.

Do you have evening or weekend hours?

Yes, I am available weekday evenings (expect for Tuesdays) and on Sundays.