Acupuncture is based in Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory which states that imbalances in the flow of qi (pronounced chee), or vital energy, result in various states of disease. This can range from decreased mental clarity and focus to more serious conditions such as pain syndromes, digestive issues and even cancer. By looking at your tongue and feeling your pulse, your practitioner will be able to trace issues to their root cause and treat not only your symptoms, but the reason they arose in the first place.   

From a more western perspective, our bodies are primarily composed of water making them highly electrically charged. Many of our bodily functions are based on the positive and negative charges of the substances involved; digesting food, the beating of our hearts, and the way we produce energy from sugar, to name just a few. New research suggests that acupuncture channels fall along “fascial planes”.  Fascia is a thin sheath that encases muscles, nerves, and blood vessels for the purpose of decreasing friction when we move. Fascial planes are meeting areas of these encasements. Fascia, being a part of our body, has a large composition of water and the electricity (or qi) in our bodies can use this highly conductive highway system to send messages to and from our brain. Chinese Medicine understands that malfunction and disease arise when this electricity is not flowing properly. By using acupuncture needles, this "stuck" electricity can be rerouted allowing it to run smoothly as it does in states of health. 

Generally speaking, no, acupuncture does not hurt. Rather, it induces a state of deeper relaxation. Many patients express some degree of apprehension about needles which is very normal. Acupuncture needles are only slightly thicker than a human hair and often can be inserted without any sensation. Acupuncture is not meant to be painful to achieve results and overall, patients report a very pleasant experience.

An initial acupuncture session will involve a thorough review of your health history. This includes all significant medical diagnoses along with any current medications or supplements you may be taking. Your acupuncturist will look at your tongue (to examine the shape, color and coating), feel your pulse, and possibly perform more physical examinations depending upon your condition. This appointment will last approximately 90 minutes and will include an acupuncture treatment. For this, the patient will lie comfortably on a treatment table where specific acupuncture points are stimulated. The needles may be retained anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes.  

Every patient is unique and there is no one answer to this question. After completing a thorough intake, your practitioner will be able to offer a prognosis and treatment plan specific to you. Length of treatment will depend on many factors: length and severity of the issue(s), any confounding factors, and the patient's overall constitutional strength.  

Latitude Acupuncture accepts all Blue Cross Blue Shield. We can very easily determine your coverage allowances prior to your first visit. All you need to do is either upload your plan details into the secure patient portal or call the office and we can update your info in the system. If you do not have Blue Cross and cannot afford the standard treatment rates, the clinic does offer sliding scale pricing if there is significant financial need.  

Yes, please click here for our online scheduling option.