Which modality should I choose?
With so many offerings, you might be wondering, which type of service should I choose? While there is some overlap, here are some thoughts of when you might consider each service:
Pain: Acupuncture, Somatics, and Hypnosis can all be helpful for pain conditions. Acupuncture is well known for all types of pain, but is especially good at neurological pain (migraines, neuropathy, etc) and pain from accidents/injuries, and has anti-inflammatory effects. Somatics mobility lessons are the best thing that I have found for pain due to chronic muscle tension, whether from overuse or from physical or emotional trauma. Somatics lessons also involve homework, which can be very empowering as a way to learn to manage your own pain and tension. Herbal medicine can directly reduce pain and inflammatory pathways. Hypnosis is an option for chronic pain with no clear cause or that has not responded to other treatments.
Stress and emotions: Acupuncture is a very calming process that over time can help moderate your response to outside stressors. Somatics can help to relieve a chronic fight-or-flight response that can show up in the emotions as well as the body. Herbal medicine can help relieve stress, especially if it is accompanied by worry, irritability, or hormonal issues. Hypnosis can often get to the root cause of the limiting thoughts and beliefs that contribute to stress. It is also well known for helping with specific fears and general anxiety. Facial rejuvenation gua sha is a very relaxing and pampering process that may temporarily relieve stress.
Allergies/autoimmune: Herbal medicine is best for symptomatic relief. Acupuncture is best for addressing long-term inflammation; it can help with short-term symptomatic relief and over time can help to calm down an overactive immune response. Hypnosis can also help your body relearn how to respond to allergens appropriately, which can result in a reduction or elimination of allergy symptoms. Facial rejuvenation gua sha can provide soothing temporary relief to the sinuses.
Other conditions: Acupuncture, herbal medicine, and hypnosis all treat a wide-range of conditions. You can see some examples here (this list is for acupuncture but there is substantial overlap) : https://downtoearthacupuncture.com/conditions-treated/
Of these issues, acupuncture is probably more studied for menstrual and fertility issues, while hypnosis is more well known for smoking cessation and weight loss. Herbal medicine is often used for digestion and internal organ disorders.
A note about the difference between 30 and 45-minute treatments:
There are a wide range of theories among acupuncturists about the best length of acupuncture treatments. There are some practitioners who don’t retain the needle at all– they just put it in and take it right out again. It is very common even among acupuncturists charging $100+ per session to only leave the needles in for about 20-30 minutes. Many acupuncturists believe that a treatment should last at least 30 minutes. I am offering 30-minute treatments as a way to keep the price reasonable for my patients, and I believe that a 30-minute treatment will be sufficient for most people. Here are some reasons you may want to schedule a 45-minute treatment instead:
– You get acupuncture once a month or less
– You feel like it takes you longer to fully relax during a treatment
– You have a very complex issue or are undergoing a severe exacerbation in symptoms
– You want to!
If you have specific questions about which service best suits your needs, please feel free to contact me to ask!
Length and Costs of Treatments
Please note, these time frames and prices are subject to change.
Many of these appointments are available either online or in person.
First-time acupuncture session: 45 minutes for $85.
Follow-up acupuncture can be either 30 for $50 or 45 minutes for $75, you choose.
Somatic mobility lessons: 45 minutes for $75.
Herbal and other health consults: 30 minutes for $50. The herbal formulas are an additional cost. The cost of herbal formulas vary, but are generally around $30 per month.
Facial gua sha: approximately 20 minutes for $50.
Initial hypnosis session: initial sessions can last between 40-90 minutes, depending on the person and the presenting issues and goals and cost $150. Follow-up hypnosis sessions can last between 20-40 minutes and cost $75.
In addition, I offer group hypnosis and Somatics classes throughout the year, which cost less than private sessions.
I do not bill insurance. However, I can give you a receipt to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Acupuncture is also a covered expense under Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
At your initial appointment I will consult with you about the number of treatments necessary for your condition, which will depend on the individual and the condition being treated.
Acupuncture: Although you may experience some effects immediately, such as relaxation and temporary pain relief, it may take 3-5 treatments to see initial benefits. Substantial improvement for chronic conditions can require 10 or more treatments.
Most patients initially will need to come for treatments at least once a week, more often for severe conditions. As the condition improves, visits can lengthen to every other week or even once a month. Consistency is key in achieving maximum benefits.
Hypnosis: Many issues can be resolved or greatly improved within 1-2 sessions. More complex issues may need 4-5 sessions. Rarely will more than 5 sessions be necessary for a specific issue (however, you may decide to address multiple issues in succession).
Herbal Medicine: After the initial consultation, the herbal formula will be sent to your home. We will check in via phone or email about two weeks after you have begun the formula, and then again after about one month. We will make any changes necessary during the brief check ins, which have no additional fee. If there is a substantial change in your situation or we need to try a different herbal formula, we may need to schedule an additional paid consult. Depending on your specific needs, you may stay on the same formula for only a couple of weeks, or up to a full year.
Somatic Mobility Lessons: You will have an initial consultation and lesson where you will be taught the movements most appropriate for your needs. You will need to practice the movements at home most days of the week. We will schedule follow up lessons every 2-4 weeks for about 2-3 months. After that, you will continue to practice the movements at home and schedule a lesson every few months, or as needed.
Facial Rejuvenation Gua Sha: Facial rejuvenation gua sha works best when done 2-3 times per week at home. Your in-office session will provide you with some immediate benefits (for example, reduced redness and puffiness), and will give you a template for how to treat yourself at home. Feel free to come in for facial gua sha as often as you like for the relaxing, spa-like feeling.
How Do I Schedule an Appointment?
To make an appointment, please use the ‘Book an appointment‘ page or, call our office at (508) 890-8899 to find a time that is convenient for you.
New patients, please fill out the acupuncture health history form and consent to treatment form. Hypnosis clients, please also include the hypnosis supplement.
If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please be aware of my cancellation policy, outlined below and in our consent to treatment form.
What should I Wear & What Should I Bring With Me?
For all services, please wear comfortable clothing. For acupuncture, you will need to be able to roll your sleeves to your elbows and your pants legs to your knees. For Somatic Mobility lessons, wear clothing that allows for plenty of movement. For Facial Rejuvenation Gua Sha, wear a scoop-neck top that you don’t mind getting oil on.
For your comfort, please feel free to bring a blanket, headphones (earbuds are preferable), or extra pillows to your appointment.
Where Can I Learn More About Acupuncture?
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
A division of the National Institute of Health (NIH), this site provides answers to Frequently Asked Questions about acupuncture. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/acupuncture-what-you-need-to-know
I also recommend the book The Web that Has No Weaver by Harvard researcher Ted J. Kaptchuk.
Cancellation Policy
There is a 24-hour cancellation policy for in-person appointments and a 48-hour cancellation policy for online appointments. There is a fee for missed appointments or late cancellations/rescheduling. Late arrivals may need to be rescheduled and charged a late-cancellation fee. Fees are as follows: $30 for a 30-minute appointment, $45 for a 45-minute appointment, $60 for a 60+-minute appointment. Fees will be charged to the credit card on file.
Weather Policy
In case of bad weather, if I make the decision to cancel a shift I will email or call scheduled patients. Please make sure I have your up-to-date contact information. Every effort will be made to contact patients at least 2 hours before the start of the shift.
If a shift is open but you do not feel safe driving, please call the office and inform me as soon as possible. There are no fees for late cancellations due to weather.
Sickness Policy
Please reschedule your appointment if you are positive for or showing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in close contact with a positive individual, or if you are experiencing fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or any other contagious symptom. If you are actively coughing or sneezing, for any reason, you may be asked to wear a mask.
