Acupuncture

Does it hurt?

Believe it or not, it does not hurt. Acupuncture needles are incredibly thin and flexible. In fact, they are so thin that you can put 40 acupuncture needles inside one hypodermic needle (the ones commonly used for blood draws and injections).

What does acupuncture feel like?

While acupuncture is not considered painful, it does illicit a very unique sensation. Most people describe this as a dull, heavy or achy sensation. Many people come to really enjoy this feeling as it often indicates that we are in the “right spot.”

How does it work?

This is one of our favorite questions to answer and there are multiple ways of explaining how acupuncture works. The simplest explanation is that acupuncture kick starts the body’s natural healing ability. Acupuncture stimulates the autonomic nervous system to produce chemicals that reduce inflammation, encourage blood flow, release endorphins and calm the brain.

what do i wear?

Whatever you are wearing for the day is just fine. If your treatment involves the removal of clothing, you will be covered with sheets and blankets to remain covered and comfortable. Some treatments only require that you roll up your pant legs or sleeves in which case wearing loose fitting clothing would allow you to not have to undress at all.

how are acupuncturists trained?

In order to become a licensed acupuncturist, you must attend a 3-4 year Masters Degree program. While our training is heavily focused on Eastern medicine, we also have a strong foundation in Western medicine as well.

Here in Minnesota, we are licensed the Minnesota Medical Board and have to adhere to strict standards in order to remain in accordance with the Medical Board. Even though we have knowledge of many Western conditions, we are not a replacement for seeing your primary care provider.

are there side effects to acupuncture?

The most likely side effect of acupuncture is bruising at the site of needling but even that is not common. Depending on what we are treating, you may experience some soreness after your treatment, but that usually is an indication that we are improving your condition. In general, there are very few risks associated with seeing a reputable, licensed acupuncturist.

What is Qi?

While the concept of Qi is the foundation of Chinese Medicine, you wont find that we talk about it much in our clinic. We prefer to discuss your condition in terms that are familiar to you and your Western medical providers.

If you have an interest in discussing how Chinese Medicine views your condition we can always discuss that in detail during your session but please don’t feel that you have to “believe” in Qi or Chinese Medicine Theory for it to be effective.

can i get acupuncture if i am pregnant?

Of course! In fact, acupuncture can help reduce many of the common complaints that pregnancy can cause, i.e. nausea, insomnia, swelling, sciatic pain, etc.. While acupuncture is considered safe to do while pregnant we do operate under some restrictions during pregnancy so please inform your practitioner that you are pregnant even if you don’t think it is applicable to your treatment.

My chiropractor/physical therapist does dry needling, is that the same as acupuncture?

This question is the cause for much debate between our industries. Here’s our take on it: dry needling is the insertion of needles into areas often referred to trigger points or motor points. Acupuncture is also the insertion of needles into these same areas. The biggest difference is in our training — 3000+ hours for licensed acupuncturists and a couple hundred hours for dry needling or an acupuncture “certification.” We feel that the only professionals that should be inserting needles into your body should be the ones with the utmost training to do so.

What does acupuncture treat?

Acupuncture treats a long list of conditions. If you look on our home page you’ll see a list of conditions we commonly see at our clinic. Don’t see your condition? Send us an email or phone call to see if we can help you.

Massage

what is neuromuscular massage therapy?

Neuromuscular Therapy is a highly specialized type of soft tissue therapy designed to relieve pain and return injured tissues to normal function. It utilizes specific, targeted soft tissue treatment, flexibility stretching and self-care to eliminate the causes of most muscular aches and pains. It can provide long-term pain relief where other approaches have failed. Neuromuscular Therapy balances the nervous system with the muscular and skeletal systems and naturally brings the body back into alignment. It addresses postural and muscular imbalances, nerve entrapment, ischemia (reduced blood flow to an area of the body) and muscular trigger points.

What do i wear?

Simply dress in what is comfortable for you. As for undressing, that is completely up to what you’re comfortable with. Throughout our sessions, the only areas that are undraped are the ones that are being worked on. (Example: if your arm is being worked on, that’s the only area that is uncovered and visible). Private areas will never be exposed under any circumstances.

That being said, many people choose to undress completely, while others will only undress areas of focus for their session, sometimes leaving clothing on like shorts, underwear, or sports bras.

what is a trigger point?

A trigger point is usually a palpable nodule (knot) within muscles, ligaments, tendons, and fascia. These are typically formed by an injury or a repetitive strain, or can sometimes just form all on their own. Trigger points will typically present with a referral pattern (pain that travels to a different location) and will be tender or painful when pressure is applied.

how often should i get a massage?

Massage can be a powerful tool in your recovery and personal health, so you ultimately determine how often you need massage. With this in mind, we typically see those with acute issues once a week or every other week until most of your issues have resolved. If your pain is more chronic, we generally see how many visits it takes to get you to a comfortable state (usually 1-3 visits, 7-14 days apart) and then go into a state of maintenance (once a month or every other month).

No matter what you’re seeing us for, frequency is something that you can feel comfortable discussing with your therapist. Your concerns and opinions will always be respected and heard.

Do i tip my massage therapist?

We do not accept tips for any service at our clinic. While people may thoroughly enjoy our services, we consider ourselves part of your healthcare routine and do not feel like you should have to think about tipping as a way of showing us your appreciation. We do, however, love an encouraging review left on Google, Yelp or Facebook to help share your positive experience!

Cupping

what is cupping?

Cupping is the use of negative pressure, aka suction, to release tight muscles and increase blood flow. It is mostly used for musculoskeletal conditions, i.e. tight muscles, tension in back and neck, and chronic headaches.

does it leave bruises?

While technically not bruises, the iconic cup marks are a likely part of the procedure. Often the first time you get cupping, the marks are the darkest in color and last the longest. After a few sessions, the marks are barely noticeable anymore. Please keep in mind any special occasions that might require the exposure of your back (weddings, vacations, etc.) so that we avoid doing any cupping for at least a week prior to the event.

what are the benefits of cupping?

Cupping has similar benefits to a massage. Most people get cupping to release tight muscles in the back and shoulders but cupping is also used to increase blood flow and to reduce inflammation.

does it hurt?

Cupping is similar to a massage in that the amount of pressure can be adjusted to your tolerance. Cupping often falls into the category of “hurts so good,” but it most certainly does not have to hurt for it to be effective. Just let your practitioner know if you find that the pressure is too much and we will certainly make it more comfortable.

can i come in just for cupping?

Yes! Both our acupuncturist and massage therapist offer cupping-only sessions. In fact, we are the only clinic in Eden Prairie offering cupping-only sessions!

General

Do you accept insurance?

While some insurance companies are beginning to offer coverage for acupuncture, our clinic is not in network with them. The majority of insurance companies are still not covering acupuncture or are covering it with limitations to what you can be treated for.

We do accept HSA or FSA dollars for acupuncture. You will need to check with your provider to find out if you can use those accounts for massage.

We can always provide you with the necessary paperwork for you to submit to your insurance provider for a possible reimbursement rate but payment is always due at the time of service.

Do you accept credit cards?

Yes. We accept all major credit cards and HSA/FSA cards.

what is your cancellation policy?

Our cancellation policy is based on mutual respect. We ask that you give us a 24 hour notice that you will not be able to make your appointment so that we can fill your spot with another patient. You may be subject to a cancellation fee if not cancelled within 24 hours.

You can contact us through email, phone or text to let us know you are not able to make your appointment.

does my package expire?

Your prepaid package does not have an expiration on it, however the ability to get a refund for unused sessions will expire 3 months from the purchase date.

are there restrictions for after a treatment?

Nope. We usually ask that you don’t perform the activities that have caused you the pain we are trying to relieve. In other words, if you hurt your shoulder at the gym doing overhead presses, skip the shoulder exercises for a couple of days. The majority of people leave our office feeling relaxed and ready to continue on with their daily activities.

Can i use my package for other services?

Unfortunately, no. Packages bought for a particular service (acupuncture or massage) must be used only for that service.

Ready to get started?

Our online scheduler makes it easy for you to book an appointment whenever it’s convenient for you. Can’t find a time that works? Add yourself to the waitlist or give us a call and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.