Community acupuncture is a growing movement that offers affordable acupuncture treatments in a group setting. You can use it for various reasons and for as long as you want. There are no memberships or huge financial commitments. Our mission is to expand access to Chinese Medicine while bringing the community closer together.
But just like any other service, you may be wondering how it would best work for you.
1. What does Chinese Medicine treat?
The list is rather long. If you’re not dealing with an emergency or have something contagious, then our community clinic is worth checking out. We’ll let you know either before or during your first visit if we think we can help. Since opening in 2016, we’ve found our services to be especially helpful for women’s health concerns like painful menstruation, fertility and fibroids. We also see success with migraines, digestive issues, the side effects of chemo and radiation, insomnia, anxiety and asthma. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can improve chronic conditions that Western Medicine hasn’t quite completely figured out like fibromyalgia.
2. How will I know if Chinese Medicine is right for my situation?
Clear communication with our patients is very important for clinical success. We encourage you to ask questions you may have. During your initial consultation, we’ll also help you determine a treatment plan which is important for getting the results. If there is a rare instance where we don’t feel acupuncture or herbs are a good fit, we’ll waive the fee for the appointment.
3. Can I really get acupuncture for $20?
Yes, you can. We have a sliding scale that ranges from $20 – $40. You pay whatever you want in that range for each visit. No questions asked and you can pay $20 one visit and another amount on the next. Each visit is what you feel is appropriate for your circumstances at the time.
For your first visit, there is an extra $10 because your initial intake is rather long. So your first visit starts at $30. Herbs are extra if you decide to include those in your treatments. Herbs on average are between $15 – $25 with a standard dose lasting a little over 16 days.
We accept either cash, credit cards or Health Savings Account (HSA) cards. Please no checks.
4. Do I have to take herbs?
We never pressure a patient into anything so no. There may be instances where herbs make more sense than regular acupuncture treatments or where we’ve found the combination of the two work better on a particular condition. Regardless, any service we offer is totally up to you.
5. Do the needles hurt?
Acupuncture is nothing like a shot at the doctor’s office. The needles are much thinner and have a hair like appearance. Most patients don’t feel anything at all. Others may feel a slight heavy, tingling or electric sensation that goes away quickly. Most patients say that after the needles are in, they start to feel very relaxed and want to take a nap.
6. Is acupuncture safe?
Absolutely. We use sterile, single use only, disposable needles. Our acupuncturists are also licensed by the state of Georgia and have over 3000 hours of training.
The most common, yet infrequent, side effect a patient may have is mild bruising after a needle is taken out. This usually goes away in a couple of days and is not painful. Most people don’t bruise but those who are on blood thinners, for instance, may be more likely to experience this.
7. How long does an appointment last?
Your first visit can take up to 90 minutes depending on the complexity of what you want treated. For return visits, it’s best to usually allot a little over an hour. However, if it at any time you feel you are done and ready to go, just let us know.
8. How long do I have to come in for treatments?
There is no definite answer for that because everyone comes in for different reasons. During your first visit, we’ll suggest a treatment plan for your condition. In the end though, it’s your decision and you can visit us whenever you prefer.
Some patients will have conditions that only require a few treatments and then they’re done. Others have conditions that may never completely go away but find that regular acupuncture greatly reduces their discomfort. In those cases, we aim to get you to the point where you’re enjoying life again and only coming in on a very conservative schedule.
9. How do I make an appointment?
The easiest way is to book online. You can also give us call, especially if you have any questions. We also take same day appointments. We usually can’t take walk-ins though so it’s best to call in advance.
10. Can I get a private treatment?
We do not offer private treatments. But your intake is private so that your medical history remains confidential. Also there is no undressing for community acupuncture. Just wear loose clothing, preferably shorts or pants that can be rolled up past your knees and elbows. If you want us to work on your upper back, we recommend a tank top or something that exposes the neck and upper back.
11. Can I have my cellphone on in the treatment room?
We ask that all cellphones and mobile devices are turned off in the clinic. This will ensure that no one else is disturbed by any interruptions and not cause you distractions that would reduce the effectiveness of your session. No pets are allowed either except service animals.