Acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine. TCM has been around for over 2,500 years. Acupuncture is used to heal by placing tiny needles in specific points. This activates and balances the Qi (the body’s energy or life force). Our goal is to keep Qi flowing smoothly throughout the body. It can become stuck or blocked through stress, environmental factors, genetics, and lifestyle factors.Acupuncture should not be painful and is extremely relaxing. With just a few needles in people  have told me they feel tingly, heavy, less chest tightness, and high. Many people even fall asleep during the treatment.

In China, acupuncture isn’t “alternative” medicine, and it’s used to treat everything from pain to GI distress to ear ringing. In the west, acupuncture and Chinese medicine are mostly known to treat pain. However, it is good for SO MUCH MORE! Honey Bee’s areas of focus are stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, allergies, arthritis and pain. We have also worked with individuals seeking care for constipation, poor vision, headaches/migraines, low energy, and hormone imbalances. Acupuncture is also commonly used as a complementary alternative modality for cancer patients to help with the side effects of chemo and radiation. Additionally, pregnant and postpartum people can also benefit greatly from acupuncture! Please consult your primary care physician prior to starting acupuncture treatments.

At your first appointment your acupuncturist will go over your chief complaint, health history and any symptoms you are experiencing. Then they will take your vitals, similar to what you do at a doctors office. After that they will look at your tongue and take your pulse. Tongue and pulse are two additional diagnostic tools that are utilized in Chinese medicine. Based on your chief complaint, health history, symptoms, tongue, and pulse, your acupuncturist will pick the appropriate acupuncture points the insert needles into. When needles go in, it may feel like a small ant bite, but it should fade away within 15 seconds. Some people don’t even notice when the needles go in. The points that are selected are on your meridians. These are the channels in which your Qi, or energy, flows. Needles will be put into those meridians to help balance the Qi and facilitate the smooth flow of Qi. Typically the entire first session will last about 75 minutes; this includes the intake, treatment, and the discussion time at the end. You will relax with needles in for about 20-30 minutes and I will come check on you about halfway through. Herbs can also be prescribed at this time. Follow up treatments last anywhere from 45 minutes to 75 minutes. They will include a shorter intake, treatment, and short discussion at the end. Acupuncture is very relaxing and many patients take a nap while they are resting with the needles in.

Honey Bee Acupuncture does not accept insurance, as we are a cash-based practice. Payment is made at the time of service by cash, check, cash app, Venmo, or credit card. A superbill may be provided upon request, and you can submit it to your insurance for possible reimbursement.