Acupuncture FAQs and What to Expect

What to Expect:

Before your first treatment, you will be asked to fill out the necessary paperwork. In most cases, Chinese Medicine Diagnostics are conducted determine the root cause of symptoms. This includes tongue and pulse readings, physical examination, and basic questions.

What is a Treatment Like?

Acupuncture treatments are generally very relaxing. Needle insertion is gentle and comfortable. Typically, patients lay on the treatment table to receive acupuncture. Once the needles are inserted, the body begins to fall into a very relaxed state. Often, patients fall asleep. TDP infrared heat lamp therapy is applied and you are given about 20-30 minutes to relax in the treatment. Some treatments call for additional therapies, like electro-stimulation, cupping, tuning forks, topical medicines, etc.

After Treatment:

Because acupuncture directs energy to different pathways in the body, you can expect to feel a bit tired or spacey immediately after treatment. Patients usually report great sleep the night of an acupuncture treatment. Because acupuncture changes the body's energy, physical results from treatment usually occur in the following hours or the next day. Strenuous exercise is not recommended after treatment. It is suggested you drink lots of water throughout the day.

How Many Treatments do I Need?

It is generally recommended to have your first three acupuncture sessions in a ten-day period. This provides the best chance of success. After that, there is a better understanding of how the body is responding. Everyone is very different, so this is only a general treatment plan outline. It is possible to have your main issue resolved after one treatment, and many people come in for treatment on an as-needed basis. The only way to know how you respond to acupuncture is for you to get in for a treatment.

Treatment Packages:

Acupuncture works best with frequency. I incentivize treatment packages to get you the best results. This is why I offer 5-packs and 8-packs at a significantly reduced price.

Can We Share a Package?

Packages are incentivized because they get the best results for one patient. For this reason, patients may not share packages. There are exceptions to this policy in the case of referrals, gifting, and those experiencing financial hardship. Please call to discuss this.

Does Insurance Cover Acupuncture?

Many patients are unknowingly covered for acupuncture. Casey Potetz Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine (New Canaan Acupuncture) does not accept insurance directly. However, we provide paperwork for patients to submit for direct reimbursement. Patients who's policies cover out-of-network acupuncture typically get reimbursed 50-100% of the session cost. Please call your insurance company to see if you qualify for reimbursement. Be aware that your first reimbursement make 30-90 days to process. Questions to ask your claims agent: (1) Does my policy cover out-of-network acupuncture? (2) Do I have a deductible? (3) Are there any limitations for reimbursement?

More Questions? Email me at casey@themedicinalguide.com

Or visit the acupuncture blog: https://www.themedicinalguide.com/blog/categories/acupuncture