About the Acupuncture Visit
If you are new to the clinic please book a free 15 minute Discovery Call so we can discuss your health goals and decide if we are a good fit to work together.
The initial in-person visit is about 90 minutes. We review your health history and current concerns, provide the treatment, and recommend a treatment plan. You can prepare for the visit by completing the intake form at least 48 hours prior to the appointment, and wearing or bringing loose, comfortable clothing. There is no need to get undressed for the acupuncture treatment.
Follow up visits are 45 to 50 minutes.
Acupuncture is a comfortable and relaxing experience, and the goal of each treatment is to help with your immediate and long term health goals.
Visit Fees
Initial visit: $140
Return visit: $105
The fee covers the acupuncture treatment and any additional needed modalities such as heat therapy, gua sha, electro-stim, dry needling, and herbal consultation. Cost of the herbs is not included.
Payment is due at the time of service. We accept checks, debit or credit cards, and HSA/FSA cards.
Yarmouth Acupuncture is in network and can submit claims to Aetna, Maine Community Health Options, and the VA.
We are out of network with Anthem, but after payment we can provide you with a superbill to submit to your insurance for reimbursement.
We do not accept Medicare.
Services
Acupuncture
Acupuncture treatments help the body to relax. The needles stimulate the body’s own ability to reach homeostatis, or balance. Acupuncture allows the body to release natural pain relievers and benefits the nervous system, thereby treating a wide variety of health issues.
Acupuncture needles are hair-thin, flexible, and designed to glide into points that are empty of nerve, bone, organs, and vessels, but full of potential vitality and energy.
Dry Needling
Dry needling is also known as orthopedic or ashi acupuncture, and is used to treat pain specifically. This style of needling can be more assertive than typical acupuncture techniques, but the goal is to directly address pain and dysfunction in specific areas of the muscle to provoke a healing response.
Classical Herbal Medicine
Herbal formulas are individually prescribed based on your particular health needs.
Classical herbal medicine supports the body’s underlying functions, not just symptoms. These traditional formulas have been used for centuries within the systems of Chinese and Eastern medicine, and are modified and updated to best address the health issues modern people face.
These herbal formulas offer a deep level of internal medicine for everything from seasonal allergies, chronic fatigue and hormonal imbalance, to digestive and metabolic issues.
Classical herbal formulas are potent treatment for many conditions especially when combined with acupuncture.
*We provide all herbal formulas as standardized pills and not raw herbs or teas.
Gua Sha
Gua Sha uses a round edged tool to firmly stroke areas of soreness in the body, breaking up congestion in the muscles and tendons. It is a versatile and effective technique to treat all kinds of persistent muscle pain and tension including headaches, neck, shoulder, back and hip pain, and even plantar fasciitis.
Stubborn muscle pain or aches are diagnosed as “stagnation” in the Eastern medicine framework. Gua sha is indicated for resolving issues related to congestion and stagnation by opening up superficial vessels so the area can drain and fresh circulation can occur, often reducing pain very quickly.
Meridian Therapy/Toyohari
Meridian therapy or toyohari is a style of acupuncture developed in Japan. It is characterized by abdominal palpation to diagnosis the pattern, and the use of very small needles or even non-inserting small metal tools such as teishin, zanshin, chokishin to gently balance teh point or channel.
Some people who find traditional styles of acupuncture too stimulating or draining respond very well to meridian therapy treatments.
Electro-stim Acupuncture
Electro-stim a gentle electric current by attaching leads to the acupuncture needles. The current level is adjustable and often not even perceptible.
This current adds beneficial stimulation for healing tissues and resolving pain and numbness. Electro-stim benefits the tissues by stimulating nerve endings to help to modulate pain signals and reduce the perception of pain. It can increase blood circulation which assists in healing, and improve muscle function and reduce spasms or tightness.
Ion Pumping Cords
Originally developed by Dr. Yoshio Manaka to treat burns by balancing excess electrona in the skin, ion pumping cords can be used to treat a variety of conditions and help balance the body overall.
The cords are simply a copper wire with a diode, essentially a one-way valve. The cords are clipped to acupuncture needles placed at specific “master points” which direct to lrage swaths of the body known as extraordinay vessels. These vessels pass through the abdomen, so a successful treatment will look like more relaxation in the abdomen even without putting any acupuncture needles there.
Relaxation increases flow and prepares the body to balance itself and receive the rest of the acupuncture treatment with maximum results.
Ear (Auricular) Acupuncture
The ear is a microsystem of the whole body. Very small needles places in specific points in the outer ear can then affect ares of the body. Ear acupuncture is less invasive than other styles of acupuncture, and it is generally very relaxing.
Moxa Heat Therapy
Directed heat from the therapeutic mugwort plant is used to treat chronic pain and supports immune function, circulation, and digestion. Moxibustion provides penetrating warmth, pain relief, and increased circulation.
Many diseases and disorders arise from a preponderance of cold in the body, which some people can be more sensitive to do to their constitution and other factors. Cold slows down organ function and can be a contributing factor in muscle pain, digestive problems, menstrual problems and PMS, and chronic colds and flus.
By using the fire element along with the inmate yang quality of the mugwort herb, moxibustion is very effective for dispelling cold in the organs, bringing in warmth and increasing the circulation of blood, fluids, energy, and function.
Cupping
Cupping uses specialized glass or rubber cups to draw out congested fluids, blood, and localized toxins.
Cupping acts as a myofascial release technique and is an effective treatment for large areas of sore muscles.
Acupuncturists apply cupping to treat acute colds based on the principle that pathogenic factors such as Cold or Wind have penetrated the tissues causing stagnation, and therefore the achiness, fatigue and other symptoms.
As the cups draw congested fluids and toxins to the skin surface there is often a discoloration called “sha” that can look like a rash or a bruise. This is a normal part of the process of resolving stagnation in the muscles, and the sha typically fades in a few days.
Although cupping is an ancient technique there is some current research for its effectiveness including this article from the Mayo Clinic on cupping therapy for fibromyalgia.
Eastern Medicine Nutrition and Lifestyle Guidance
The ancient system of Chinese or Eastern medicine is based in the principles of nature. This provides diagnostic tools to see the whole person and the overall pattern of health imbalance. An experienced Eastern medicine practitioner can help you sort out conflicting or contradictory information from various healthcare providers and online trends.
We want to help you achieve a healthy balance throughout the change of seasons and life challenges, which can prevent more serious disease and dysfunction.
Nutrition literally provides us with the basic building blocks for our physical body and energy. We can help you learn why to eat in accordance with the seasons, and to enjoy foods that benefit your particular consitution and lifestyle.
Healthy movement is crucial for physical and mental wellness. Learn simple qigong exercises or simply get more inspiration on how and why to include healthy movement in your daily life.
Stress reduction and management. Stress is a part of life but can take a huge toll on our health if it goes unchecked. Acupuncture treatment itself is a great way to get the body into a state of deep relaxation, and we can discuss other ways to manage the stressors of modern life.
Sleep is when the body heals and rejuvenates itself. Sleep hygiene strategies, herbal medicine, acupuncture treatment, and understanding circadian rhythms can help you get the restorative sleep your body and mind need.