Frequently Asked Questions
What is acupuncture good for?
Acupuncture treats many types of pain, depression, allergies, sleep issues, digestive problems, reproductive difficulties, menstrual issues, weight loss, smoking cessation, stress, fatigue, headaches, cravings, anxiety, and a number of acute and chronic health conditions. Acupuncture can also complement and enhance the benefits of other forms of medical intervention, as well as help with various recovery processes. Check out this article to see what the World Health Organization (WHO) has to say about the efficacy of acupuncture.
Does it hurt?
The majority of people feel little to no sensation as the pins enter the skin. Those that report feeling something describe it as a slight pinch or sting that lasts for no more than a second and then goes away. Depending on how your body heals, some people experience sensations in other parts of the body that are most commonly aches or pains they have experienced before. These are "healing reactions" that manifest for a short period of time as the stuck "qi" or old symptom leaves the body.
Acupuncture treats many types of pain, depression, allergies, sleep issues, digestive problems, reproductive difficulties, menstrual issues, weight loss, smoking cessation, stress, fatigue, headaches, cravings, anxiety, and a number of acute and chronic health conditions. Acupuncture can also complement and enhance the benefits of other forms of medical intervention, as well as help with various recovery processes. Check out this article to see what the World Health Organization (WHO) has to say about the efficacy of acupuncture.
Does it hurt?
The majority of people feel little to no sensation as the pins enter the skin. Those that report feeling something describe it as a slight pinch or sting that lasts for no more than a second and then goes away. Depending on how your body heals, some people experience sensations in other parts of the body that are most commonly aches or pains they have experienced before. These are "healing reactions" that manifest for a short period of time as the stuck "qi" or old symptom leaves the body.
What is a visit to OurSpace like?
If you are a first-time client, we will ask you to fill out a brief 5-minute survey online (used for tracking and grant-seeking purposes) as well as an intake form (consent & health history form - feel free to fill out and bring to your visit) that should take you less than 15 minutes to complete. After giving an amount that is affordable for you (we suggest giving $15-$40), you will be invited to have a seat in one of the reclining chairs, where you will have a brief chat with your acupuncturist about your health concerns. Pins will then be inserted, and you are more than welcome to rest for as long as you like. When you feel ready to leave, grab the attention of the acupuncturist, who will remove the pins, and you are free to go. Repeat clients go through the same process with the exception of filling out the intake form.
What do I need to get started?
You may bring pre-filled consent and health history forms with you if you wish. Other than that, please wear loose-fitting clothing that rolls up just above the knees and elbows (or bring a change of clothes). You don't need a referral or any other information to get started. We accept cash or check (payable to "OurSpace Acupuncture"), online through PayPal by clicking here, or by credit/debit card.
Parking: There is a metered parking lot next door to OurSpace. It costs $1/hr to park there (accepts quarters, nickels, and dimes), and we suggest paying for 1.5 hours so you don't feel rushed with your treatment session. It is free to park there on Saturdays. There is also street parking on Fenton St., as well as a parking deck approximately two blocks away on Wayne Avenue that accepts credit cards. This is a good place to park if you want to rest with the acupuncture pins for a long as you want, and don't want to worry about your parking meter running out.
Tell me about the acupuncture pins you use. How many pins do you typically use in a session?
A typical session involves the use of 10-20 stainless steel, single-use pins. These small pins are the width of 2-3 human hairs, and are sterilized for safety and prevention of disease transmission.
How often should I come for acupuncture?
Acupuncture is best used as a preventative medicine, and we encourage everyone to schedule an appointment at least once every two weeks. Otherwise, the recommended frequency varies by person and by symptom, and initially we ask most people to come twice a week for a few weeks in order to get the best results. Please consult this chart for more information.
How long does it take my symptom to be resolved?
Many people experience some short-term relief of their symptom/concern after the first visit. The general rule of thumb is one month of weekly treatment for every year that you've experienced your concern, but everyone heals differently. This article is helpful in understanding what to expect.
How does acupuncture work?
It is difficult to say why acupuncture works from a modern scientific viewpoint. There are some ideas floating around but it remains a mystery. We do know that it is thousands of years old and has been practiced for such a long time and so widely because patients get results. We know that acupuncture is kind of “out there.” It’s strange that putting a thin pin in someone can create a change, but we have seen it happen over and over again. Acupuncture can only do what your body already wants to do. It heals by helping the body heal itself, instead of forcing the body to change.
Are there any side effects from acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a relatively safe form of medicine with virtually no side effects. Some people report feeling drowsy or unusually relaxed for a short period of time after the treatment. Other than "healing reactions" there is a chance of slight bruising or a small drop of blood upon pin removal.
Can I receive acupuncture while I am pregnant?
Yes - it is perfectly safe to receive acupuncture while you are pregnant. Be sure to let us know that you are expecting, as there are a couple of extra precautions we can take to further ensure the safety of you and your child. Acupuncture can help many of the symptoms women experience throughout pregnancy, and can even indirectly improve the health of your child.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Please use our online scheduler, or contact us if you need assistance.
Do you take insurance?
In order to keep acupuncture affordable for everyone, we do not participate with insurance companies. We suggest people give a minimum of $15 per treatment, which is equivalent to most insurance co-payments. We have receipts available if you want to contact your insurance company about reimbursement.
Can I schedule a private one-on-one session?
At OurSpace, we do not typically do private one-on-one sessions. Please contact us if you would like a referral to a local acupuncturist.
If you are a first-time client, we will ask you to fill out a brief 5-minute survey online (used for tracking and grant-seeking purposes) as well as an intake form (consent & health history form - feel free to fill out and bring to your visit) that should take you less than 15 minutes to complete. After giving an amount that is affordable for you (we suggest giving $15-$40), you will be invited to have a seat in one of the reclining chairs, where you will have a brief chat with your acupuncturist about your health concerns. Pins will then be inserted, and you are more than welcome to rest for as long as you like. When you feel ready to leave, grab the attention of the acupuncturist, who will remove the pins, and you are free to go. Repeat clients go through the same process with the exception of filling out the intake form.
What do I need to get started?
You may bring pre-filled consent and health history forms with you if you wish. Other than that, please wear loose-fitting clothing that rolls up just above the knees and elbows (or bring a change of clothes). You don't need a referral or any other information to get started. We accept cash or check (payable to "OurSpace Acupuncture"), online through PayPal by clicking here, or by credit/debit card.
Parking: There is a metered parking lot next door to OurSpace. It costs $1/hr to park there (accepts quarters, nickels, and dimes), and we suggest paying for 1.5 hours so you don't feel rushed with your treatment session. It is free to park there on Saturdays. There is also street parking on Fenton St., as well as a parking deck approximately two blocks away on Wayne Avenue that accepts credit cards. This is a good place to park if you want to rest with the acupuncture pins for a long as you want, and don't want to worry about your parking meter running out.
Tell me about the acupuncture pins you use. How many pins do you typically use in a session?
A typical session involves the use of 10-20 stainless steel, single-use pins. These small pins are the width of 2-3 human hairs, and are sterilized for safety and prevention of disease transmission.
How often should I come for acupuncture?
Acupuncture is best used as a preventative medicine, and we encourage everyone to schedule an appointment at least once every two weeks. Otherwise, the recommended frequency varies by person and by symptom, and initially we ask most people to come twice a week for a few weeks in order to get the best results. Please consult this chart for more information.
How long does it take my symptom to be resolved?
Many people experience some short-term relief of their symptom/concern after the first visit. The general rule of thumb is one month of weekly treatment for every year that you've experienced your concern, but everyone heals differently. This article is helpful in understanding what to expect.
How does acupuncture work?
It is difficult to say why acupuncture works from a modern scientific viewpoint. There are some ideas floating around but it remains a mystery. We do know that it is thousands of years old and has been practiced for such a long time and so widely because patients get results. We know that acupuncture is kind of “out there.” It’s strange that putting a thin pin in someone can create a change, but we have seen it happen over and over again. Acupuncture can only do what your body already wants to do. It heals by helping the body heal itself, instead of forcing the body to change.
Are there any side effects from acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a relatively safe form of medicine with virtually no side effects. Some people report feeling drowsy or unusually relaxed for a short period of time after the treatment. Other than "healing reactions" there is a chance of slight bruising or a small drop of blood upon pin removal.
Can I receive acupuncture while I am pregnant?
Yes - it is perfectly safe to receive acupuncture while you are pregnant. Be sure to let us know that you are expecting, as there are a couple of extra precautions we can take to further ensure the safety of you and your child. Acupuncture can help many of the symptoms women experience throughout pregnancy, and can even indirectly improve the health of your child.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Please use our online scheduler, or contact us if you need assistance.
Do you take insurance?
In order to keep acupuncture affordable for everyone, we do not participate with insurance companies. We suggest people give a minimum of $15 per treatment, which is equivalent to most insurance co-payments. We have receipts available if you want to contact your insurance company about reimbursement.
Can I schedule a private one-on-one session?
At OurSpace, we do not typically do private one-on-one sessions. Please contact us if you would like a referral to a local acupuncturist.
