General Acupuncture FAQs
What can acupuncture help treat?+
Acupuncture can help with a wide variety of conditions, including neck and back pain, joint pain, headaches, sciatica, sports injuries, arthritis, stress, anxiety, digestive concerns, insomnia, allergies, women's health concerns, fertility support, pregnancy discomforts, and postpartum recovery. Our providers create individualized treatment plans based on your unique health goals.
Does acupuncture hurt?+
Most people are surprised by how comfortable acupuncture is. The needles are extremely thin, about the width of a human hair, and many patients feel little to nothing when they're inserted. Many people often become so relaxed during treatment that they fall asleep.
How many treatments will I need?+
The number of treatments depends on your condition, how long you've had it, and your health goals. Acute injuries may improve in just a few visits, while chronic conditions often require a series of treatments followed by occasional maintenance visits to help keep symptoms under control.
What should I expect during my first visit?+
Your first appointment includes a thorough health history, discussion of your concerns and goals, and a comprehensive evaluation. After your assessment, your provider will explain your treatment plan before beginning acupuncture. Most first visits last between 60 and 90 minutes.
Should I eat before my appointment?+
Yes. We recommend eating a light meal or snack before your treatment and staying well hydrated. Avoid coming in on an empty stomach.
What should I wear?+
Wear loose, comfortable clothing whenever possible. Depending on the area being treated, we may ask you to roll up sleeves or pant legs or provide appropriate draping to ensure you're comfortable throughout your treatment.
Orthopedic Alternatives FAQs
Do you only treat pain?+
Not at all. While we're known for treating orthopedic conditions and injuries, we also help patients with fertility support, women's health, pregnancy care, postpartum recovery, headaches, stress, digestive issues, allergies, insomnia, and overall wellness.
Can acupuncture help injuries?+
Absolutely. Acupuncture can help reduce pain, improve mobility, decrease inflammation, speed recovery, and support healing for many sports-related injuries. It's commonly used for tendonitis, muscle strains, sprains, overuse injuries, and post-surgical rehabilitation.
Women's Health & Fertility FAQs
Can acupuncture help with fertility?+
Yes. Acupuncture can support both natural conception and assisted reproductive treatments by promoting healthy blood flow, regulating menstrual cycles, supporting hormone balance, reducing stress, and preparing the body for pregnancy.
Is acupuncture safe during pregnancy?+
Yes. Acupuncture is considered very safe during pregnancy when performed by a trained provider. We commonly help relieve nausea, back pain, hip pain, pelvic discomfort, headaches, swelling, sleep disturbances, and prepare the body for labor when appropriate.
Do you offer labor induction acupuncture?+
Yes. Once your pregnancy has reached full term and with approval from your healthcare provider, acupuncture may help encourage the body to prepare for labor naturally.
How can you help after my baby is born?+
Postpartum care focuses on supporting recovery, reducing pain, improving energy, promoting healing, helping with stress and emotional well-being, and restoring balance after childbirth. We also offer massage therapy and specialized craniosacral bodywork for both mothers and babies.
Massage & Specialized Care FAQs
What types of massage do you offer?+
We offer therapeutic massage tailored to your individual needs, including deep tissue techniques, relaxation massage, and specialized bodywork to help reduce pain, improve mobility, and promote recovery.
What is the Gillespie Approach?+
The Gillespie Approach is a gentle craniosacral fascial therapy that works with the body's connective tissue to release tension and restore function. It is commonly used with infants experiencing breastfeeding difficulties, tongue tie restrictions, reflux, colic, torticollis, and other birth-related tensions, while also benefiting adults experiencing chronic pain, headaches, jaw pain, and nervous system dysfunction.
Herbal Medicine FAQs
Do you prescribe Chinese herbal medicine?+
Yes. Chinese herbal medicine is often used alongside acupuncture to support healing and improve treatment outcomes. Each herbal recommendation is customized to your specific condition and health goals.
How do I take Chinese herbal medicine?+
At Orthopedic Alternatives, we customize every herbal formula specifically for you and your unique health concerns. Rather than using one-size-fits-all products, your practitioner selects herbs based on your individual diagnosis and treatment goals. Our herbal formulas come in a concentrated granular form that easily dissolves in warm water and is typically taken as a tea twice a day. The granules are convenient to prepare, travel-friendly, and provide the same therapeutic benefits as traditional herbal decoctions while fitting more easily into your daily routine.
What conditions can Chinese herbal medicine help with?+
Chinese herbal medicine is commonly used to support a wide range of conditions, including pain and inflammation, digestive concerns, allergies, stress and anxiety, sleep issues, women's health, fertility, pregnancy and postpartum recovery, immune support, and overall wellness. Herbal medicine is often prescribed alongside acupuncture to enhance treatment results and promote lasting healing.
Why do you recommend both acupuncture and herbal medicine?+
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have been used together for thousands of years because they complement one another. Acupuncture helps stimulate the body's natural healing processes during your appointment, while herbal medicine continues to support those processes between visits. When appropriate, combining these therapies can help improve outcomes, support faster recovery, and provide more comprehensive care tailored to your individual health needs.
Insurance & Scheduling FAQs
Do you accept insurance?+
We do not bill insurance directly from our office. Payment is due at the time of service, and we accept credit cards, cash, checks, HSA cards, and FSA cards. Many insurance plans offer reimbursement for acupuncture. Upon request, we are happy to provide a superbill or any necessary documentation for you to submit directly to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. Because every insurance plan is different, we recommend contacting your insurance provider to verify your out-of-network acupuncture benefits. Payment is collected at the time of your appointment.
Can I use my HSA or FSA?+
In many cases, yes. Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) can often be used for acupuncture treatments. We recommend checking with your plan administrator. We also accept credit cards, cash, and checks.
How do I schedule an appointment?+
Scheduling is easy! You can call our office or contact us through our website. We'll help match you with the provider and treatment that best fits your needs.
