Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions:
Where can I park at Water Point Wellness?
Water Point Wellness is located near the back of the property through the parking lot near the lemon trees. There is one parking space #106 labeled “For really good healing” where you can park on a first come first serve basis. All other spaces are assigned, and you may be towed if you park there. There is plenty of street parking available on Casitas in addition to an overflow parking lot at 3229 Casitas Avenue.
Is acupuncture painful?
Everyone is different, and that makes it difficult to gauge how acupuncture will feel from one person to another. In my time as an acupuncturist I have honed my ability to meet you where you are. In the first session I use breathing, and observation to determine the best treatment strategy for each person.
In general, acupuncture is meant to be felt. A dull achy sensation known as De Qi is the feeling we are commonly seeking. With some therapies you will feel your muscle pulse upon insertion which is a motor point reaction. Other times you may feel nothing more than a gentle flow around an insertion site.
Does cupping leave marks?
Yes! Cup mark typically last 4-6 days, but can persist for longer on some people. If you know you are showing off your back a few days after treatment, and you don’t want everyone to know you got cupping, you might want to go for massage instead.
What should I wear for my treatment?
You can wear loose pants and a tee shirt if you want to prepare, but I keep sheets and towels on hand for easy draping.
Do you take my insurance?
I am in network with Cigna and United healthcare plans. I work with some PPO’s like Aetna and MPI. I also provide superbills that you can submit to your insurance company if you have a high deducible.
To get your insurance checked, simply make an appointment and upload your insurance information. I will check it before you come and let you know what you can expect to pay. If you would like to know sooner, you can email me. It can be helpful to call the benefits number on the back of you health insurance card so that you can get an idea of what your benefits might be, if you have a deductible to meet, and whether you need a referral first.
You don’t take my insurance, how can I afford acupuncture?
I offer a few options for those seeking treatment without using healthcare benefits. I offer packages of 3-10 sessions at a discounted rate. If you are requesting superbills, I recommend using packages.
I also offer sliding scale for patients on a budget. I limit these sliding scale sessions to 12 a year.
Do you accept HSA’s and FSA’s?
Yes!
How to I make an appointment?
The best way to book is by visiting this link: BOOK HERE
If that doesn’t work for any reason, you can always email me, and I will help you get on the schedule.
How many sessions will I need before I am better?
Typically 4-6 session once or twice weekly will be a good indicator of the efficacy of the treatment.
Is acupuncture just pseudoscience?
Acupuncture existed before the ‘randomized controlled trial”, considered to be the gold standard of scientific studies, so it doesn’t fit neatly into modern methods for assessing the efficacy of a therapy. As a result, many medical professionals will classify acupuncture as a pseudoscience because trials of acupuncture cannot be replicated in a reliable way. There are however centuries worth of Anecdotal data in the form of meta- analysis, and case studies, and acupuncture continues to be studied.
Additionally acupuncture is commonly recommended for the treatment of pain and fertility and is covered by medicare when performed by a physician.
What is Dry Needling, and is Dry Needling Acupuncture?
Dry needling came about when Physical Therapists and Chiropractors, who cannot be classified as acupuncturists, began to use needles as part of their treamtnent therapy. They termed it dry needling because nothing was being injected, and at it’s onset, a syringe was used to penetrate the skin. Dry needling is based on Ashi needling, a common practice utilized by licensed acupuncturists.
A point of contention, the acupuncturist will have spent over 3000 hours studying their craft, while a physical therapist or chiropractor may have earned their certificate to practice dry needling a few days, or weeks.
As an acupuncturist, I am able to use dry needling techniques, but they are just a small part of what I have learned.
Are herbal formula’s safe to take?
I use the high quality herbs in my clinic. I use KPC which performs rigorous testing on their own supplies. A few other brands I use are SunTen, Blue Poppy, and Legendary. All of which require a practitioner license to purchase, and are regulated expensively for quality.
Have any other Questions not listed here?
Email me: waterpointwellness@gmail.com
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