Chico Community Acupuncture

Q. WHAT CAN ACUPUNCTURE TREAT?

A. Generally, people use acupuncture to help with a specific pain, illness, or discomfort that they’re currently having or they may seek help with a problem that comes and goes. Using acupuncture as part of your regular “health tool kit” will increase energy, reduce stress, and support your immune system. The National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization recognize acupuncture as an effective treatment for about four dozen common conditions including:

• Back Pain
• Headaches
• Digestive disorders
• Internal disorders
• Chronic conditions
• Health/wellness
• Stress reduction
• Musculoskeletal
• problems
• Insomnia

Q.WHAT CAN I EXPECT AT A TREATMENT?

A. Improving your health with acupuncture (like most modalities) is a process. During your initial visit, we will discuss and advise you on a treatment plan that is best suited for your condition. You receive the acupuncture in a common room, but your treatment is individualized to you. Treatment plans can consist of anywhere from 1-12 treatments at a frequency of 1-3 times per week. Generally speaking, acute and new conditions will require less treatment than those that have been present for a longer time. Initial treatments include a focused health history and review of your current condition. Follow up treatments will focus on your main area of concern and can integrate treatment for other issues that will support your overall health and wellness.

Q. HOW LONG IS A TREATMENT?

A. Once the needles are in you will rest for as long as you like, generally between 20 min to an hour.

Q. WHERE DO YOU PUT THE NEEDLES?

A. We needle points on your arms, legs, and other areas that are reached while you are fully dressed and resting in a recliner. These “distal” points can treat problems such as back pain, as well as internal disorders.

Q. DOES IT HURT?

A. Most people find it painless. We use hair thin sterile single use disposable needles. There may be a temporary discomfort when the needles are inserted, but once they are in, people find the treatment very relaxing and regularly fall asleep.

Q. HOW DOES IT WORK?

A. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture regulates the flow of energy or Qi in the body. When there is a blockage or imbalance in the energy, there is pain, or a diseased state. Western science generally  understands that acupuncture releases the body’s natural pain killers (endorphins), reduces inflammation, and increases blood flow essential to proper body function. Acupuncture puts people into their parasympathetic state (rest and digest), which is when the body is able to heal and regenerate.

Q. DO YOU PRESCRIBE HERBAL MEDICINE?

A. Certain conditions respond very well to a combination of acupuncture and herbal medicine. For example: Allergies, symptoms of the common cold and flu and digestive disorders can all be helped with the right combination of herbs. Chronic inflammatory, auto-immune, and hormonal conditions are also good candidates for herbal support. We draw from an herbal pharmacy of quality herbs sourced from highly reputable suppliers.

Q. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

A. The $15-35 sliding scale means that you decide how much you can afford in that range. There is no income verification. How much you pay does not affect the treatment that you get. We do not take insurance, but can provide you with a receipt that you can submit to your insurance.