FAQ

Most people feel very relaxed during and after an acupuncture treatment.

You will be in a room with other people who are also receiving treatment.  Many people are skeptical about this until they experience it firsthand.  The relaxation effect of the acupuncture seems to be enhanced by the group setting.  A group experience enhances many things, and it turns out that for many people, acupuncture is one of those things.

The first time you visit the clinic, please allow 90 minutes to ensure you won't feel rushed, although you may need less time.  For follow-up treatments, you should allow 1 hour.

Most people like to rest for 30-60 minutes with their needles in.

You do not have to disrobe.  You should wear loose comfortable clothing.  You should be able to roll your pants up above your knees, and your sleeves up above your elbows. It is best to bring shorts or a skirt to change into.

Acupuncture needles are very different than hypodermic needles.  
Acupuncture needles are solid and not much thicker than a piece of hair; hypodermic needles are hollow and are much thicker.  Acupuncture needles are generally more comfortable for most people.

Most people feel nothing or a pin prick during the placement of the needles.  

Some points may feel achy when the needle is placed, but they will calm down while you rest.  The acupuncturist will ask if everything is comfortable before they leave you to rest and make any necessary adjustments so that you can rest comfortably.

Needles may be placed on the head, neck, ears, abdomen, and limbs.

NO! Needles come in sterile packaging and are only used once.

They are disposed of in special containers as medical waste.

Acupuncture is very effective for many conditions.  How much treatment you will need depends on your overall health, how long you have had the condition, and what type of condition it is.  Your acupuncturist will discuss a treatment plan with you so that you can get the best possible result.

We take cash, checks, and credit cards (including HSA cards).

No.  This is one of the ways that we can offer such affordable pricing.  For most people our sliding scale is equal to the cost of a co-pay.

We don’t generally do cupping at the clinic. While cupping is great, our clinic isn’t set up to use it extensively. There are some great clinics locally that offer more in-depth cupping and we are happy to provide referrals to them. Just ask!

We don’t typically offer dry needling. We don’t generally find it necessary to achieve therapeutic results since East Asian medicine uses other strategies to address musculoskeletal pain.

On street parking is by meters ($1.50/hour) or city of Cambridge Resident Permit Parking.  
The closest garages are Propark Boston’s Holyoke Center garage at 1350 Mass Avenue and Harvard Parking Garage at 1033 Mass Ave. An app like Spot Hero can be very helpful for finding affordable garage parking around Harvard Square. There is permit parking within a few blocks radius for Cambridge residents.

Yes!  we are 0.2 miles from the Harvard Square Redline station, across the street from the #1 bus.

New patients please come 10 minutes early

It is best not to be too hungry, or too full when you come in for a treatment.

Drink plenty of water afterwards.

If you are being treated for pain, and you feel better, don’t over do it just because you feel better.