Frequently Asked Questions
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General
According to the latest research, Traditional Chinese Medicine has proven to be able to provide an improvement in the quality of life for patients with chronic illnesses and aiding with acute pain-related injuries.
With this said, we do recommend and encourage you to continue your own research or consult a practitioner if it may be the path for you.
Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic practice that takes a big-picture view of your entire body and all the different factors that affect you in your daily life, including diet, emotions, environmental factors, etc. Western Medicine has a much more standards-based approach to healthcare.
As such, a person looking to address an illness may receive different sorts of treatment or course of action depending on the unique conditions and constitutions of their bodies, the unique combinations of factors acting on each of them, and the underlying cause of their illnesses.
Most major insurance providers or benefit plans do now include services that fall under the umbrella of “acupuncture” (including cupping, due to its basis in acupuncture points and meridians). Herbal therapy, however, does not fall under this umbrella and is therefore not covered.
Read more information on Insurance Coverage on the Your Visit page.
For specific details about how much coverage you are eligible for under your policy, please reach out to your insurance provider!
Yes, there are a few things to keep in mind before arriving:
- Arrive at the time you are scheduled. Or arrive 5-10 minutes earlier if you need to complete any forms.
- Eat before your appointment. For Acupuncture treatments, it’s generally recommended that you do not start your session on an empty stomach unless otherwise instructed by your practitioner.
- Bring a list of any prescription medications or supplements you are currently taking so we can better understand your condition. You may include any medical or health documents.
- Dress comfortably. It’s good to allow your body circulation and relaxation before, during, and after your appointments.
- COVID-friendly precautions. Please wear a surgical/medical mask upon arriving. If you do not have one, we can provide this for you. You can read more about our COVID Updates by clicking here.
Dress comfortably!
We recommend that you avoid wearing tight or constrictive clothing — acupuncture points can be found all over the body, and you never know which ones your practitioner will need to be able to access during treatment (with your consent, of course). Medical gowns are also available and your practitioner may offer you to wear one if needed.
Services
Not usually!
The needles themselves are much thinner than a typical syringe, and are virtually painless when inserted. During treatment, you may feel a dull tenderness or heaviness with the insertion of the needle — this is a normal reaction called de qi, and is a good indicator that the correct points have been selected.
In some cases, your practitioner may need to gently twist or move the needle to provide stronger stimulation to the acupuncture point, which will likely cause a brief moment of pain or discomfort.
If this is something you’d rather avoid, let your practitioner know! It’s always best to be open and honest with them — they’re here to help you, and the more information you give them, the better they’ll be able to take care of you.
Your practitioner is here for you and will only continue to treatment with your consent.
If this is a concern or you feel uncomfortable, please start a conversation with them about it during the consultation/diagnosis portion of your appointment. There may be other things in TCM that may be helpful while avoiding needles or easing the thought of needles being used for treatment.
The effectiveness of acupuncture can vary depending on the disease and your history with the illness. Some treatments will yield results within the same session; but for chronic or more complex illnesses, frequent treatments may be necessary.
Short answer: Possibly.
Taste will vary depending on the ingredients in the formula you are getting and some do taste stronger than others. Any herbal medicine you get from our dispensary will be in the form of water-soluble granules which taste far less severe than traditional raw herbs.
If you still can’t stand the flavour, feel free to ask about our pill or capsule options or talk to your practitioner!
Anything you consume can carry the risk of interacting negatively with something else in your body — for example, something as simple and every-day as garlic can increase the risk of bleeding if consumed alongside blood-thinning drugs. That’s why it’s important that you give your practitioner as much information as possible — they need to know about all of your medications, supplements, allergies, dietary restrictions, etc. so they can tailor their herbal formula to you and avoid any unintended side effects.
The effectiveness of herbal therapy can vary depending on the disease and your history with the illness. For acute illnesses like the common cold, you might see improvement within 1-2 days of taking your prescribed formula.
For chronic conditions, the process might take several weeks or more, and will likely involve regular check-ins with your practitioner to re-assess and adjust your formula as your condition changes.
Cupping, generally, does not hurt but because of the strength of the suction generated by the cups, it can be a unique and intense sensation, especially if it’s your first time.
The marks that are left behind are basically like bruises and generally do not hurt but may feel tender to touch. The suction generated by the cups draws blood to the surface of the skin along with all kinds of unwanted toxins, such as static blood, lymph, and pathogenic factors.
Not unless those circular bruises count as a risk!
It’s generally agreed that cupping is very safe and will not usually cause any serious problems, with side effects limited to the pinch experienced at the moment of suction.
Always consult with your practitioner if cupping is right for you!
The effectiveness of your cupping treatment can vary depending on the disease being treated and your history with the illness. Some treatments will yield results within the same session; but for chronic or more complex illnesses, frequent treatments may be necessary.
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