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 holistic medicine while bringing the community closer together.
Savannah Community Acupuncture (SCA) is a public service addressing some of the challenges in our health care model. But just like any other service, you may be wondering how it would best work for you.
Although no one can predict for sure how community acupuncture will best suit you, below are some frequent questions that new patients ask:
1. What does acupuncture treat?
The list is rather long. In short, if it’s a non-emergency condition, acupuncture is usually a good fit. Acupuncture is especially helpful for stuff that just happened like your back going out or an oncoming migraine. It can also improve chronic conditions and many disorders that western medicine hasn’t quite completely figured out like autoimmune conditions.
An important factor to the success of acupuncture treatments is knowing if it’s all you need in a particular circumstance or whether acupuncture would be better as a side therapy to help speed the healing process — something we help you determine. For instance, with seasonal allergies, sometimes frequent acupuncture alone is enough to keep them at bay but if a person has a broken arm, it’s best they rely on western medicine first and then use acupuncture on the side to help them heal faster.
2. How will I know if acupuncture could be right for my situation?
At SCA, clear communication with our patients is very important for clinical success. We encourage you to ask any questions you may have. During your initial consultation, we’ll also help you decide how to best use acupuncture. If there is some rare instance where we don’t feel acupuncture is a good fit, we’ll waive the fee for the appointment and give you advice on the type of help we think would best suit you.
Our foremost goal is to give the public greater access to health care services while bringing the community closer together.
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.
The only extra charge is during the first visit. We add on an extra $10 to cover our initial one time paperwork fee. So your first visit can start at $30.
We accept either cash, credit cards or Health Savings Account (HSA) cards.
4. 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.
5. Is acupuncture safe?
Absolutely. We use sterile, single use, disposable needles. Your acupuncturist is also licensed by the state of Georgia and has over 3000 hours of training. In a community setting, acupuncture is especially safe because most points are on the arms, legs and scalp.
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.
6. How long does an appointment last?
It’s best to usually allot an hour for your entire appointment. However, if it at any time you feel you are done and ready to go, just let us know.
7. 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.
Our affordable acupuncture model also makes it easy to get frequent treatments whenever you’re going through a rough patch.
8. 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.
9. 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 that can be rolled up past your knees and elbows.
Community acupuncture is about being together in a safe place while quietly sharing the therapeutic effects of acupuncture. In a world of increasing isolationism, bringing people together in a healing space fosters mutual support and a tighter knit community.
However, there may be times where a private practice is best suited to your circumstances so here are some local acupuncturists we recommend:
10. Can I have my cellphone on in the treatment room?
We ask that all cellphones and mobile devices are turned off when you are in the treatment area. 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.
One of the most noticeable effects of acupuncture is its calming effect. We aim to create a peaceful and quiet, community space so you can feel how profoundly relaxing it can be.