What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture involves inserting very thin needles into specific points on the body to help reduce pain, regulate the function of the internal organs, and support overall wellbeing.

It’s an important modality in East Asian medicine, and has been practiced for thousands of years.

What Symptoms Do You Treat
at Seneca Falls Acupuncture?

At Seneca Falls Acupuncture, we see patients for a variety of symptoms and conditions, including:

  • – Pain of all kinds: Oestoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, low back pain, neck pain, shoulder & neck stiffness, headache, migraines, shoulder pain, wrist pain, carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, Plantar fasciitis, and more.
  • – Digestive symptoms: Abdominal pain, bloating, acid reflux, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and more due to conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C and IBS-D), Celiac, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and more.
  • – Anxiety and stress management: Physical and mental symptoms such as racing heart, brain fog, racing thoughts, panic attacks, etc. 
  • – Women’s health including: Painful, heavy, or irregular period, fertility acupuncture, acupuncture during pregnancy, and postpartum acupuncture
  • Cosmetic acupuncture: Fine lines & wrinkles, undereye puffiness, overall facial tone, acne & acne scarring
  • Bladder conditions: Interstitial cystitis, overactive bladder, recurrent UTIs
  • And much more. If your symptoms are not listed, please feel free to call and ask: (607) 216-8112 or email info@senecafallsacupuncture.com

How does acupuncture work?

According to the theory of East Asian medicine, the body’s energy, or Qi (pronounced “chee”), moves through channels on the body called meridians.

When a person experiences pain or other symptoms, their Qi is not flowing freely, and acupuncture at specific points helps restore its free-flowing movement to reduce or eliminate symptoms.

From a biomedical perspective, research shows that acupuncture impacts nerve conduction, blood flow (circulation), and hormone balance.

It is also thought to reduce pain by releasing endorphins, the body’s natural pain-killing chemical, and by impacting the part of the brain that releases serotonin.

How many treatments are needed for acupuncture?

The effects of acupuncture are cumulative, which means that multiple treatments are needed for maximum benefit and lasting results. The general recommendation is one treatment per week for 6-8 weeks. This may vary based on how long a patient has had symptoms and symptom severity. For chronic or long-term conditions, monthly maintenance treatments may be recommended to keep patients feeling their best.

What is the cost of acupuncture?

Our Pricing at Seneca Falls Acupuncture:

  • – New Patient Acupuncture Appointment, 60-90 minutes: $80
  • – Follow-Up Acupuncture Appointments, 60-minutes: $70
  • – Cosmetic Acupuncture, 60 Minutes: $100
  • – Acupuncture Glow Facial, 90 minutes: $125
  • – Celluma LED Skincare LED (FDA-Cleared): $25 add-on
  • – Free Cosmetic Acupuncture Consult, 30 minutes: Free

Ready to sign up for acupuncture treatments?

Great! We can’t wait to welcome you to the Seneca Falls Acupuncture family.

You can schedule a “New Patient” appointment below. In this 60-90 minute acupuncture session, we will do an initial intake (health history, current symptoms, etc.) as well as a full acupuncture treatment. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing so we can access major joints such as the elbows and knees. 

What should I expect in an acupuncture treatment?

New patient acupuncture treatments are 60-90 minutes long. At your first treatment, we’ll discuss your symptoms and your health history. Your acupuncturist will take your pulse and ask to see your tongue, part of Chinese medicine diagnosis. 

You’ll relax on a comfortable, heated massage table and one of our skilled acupuncturists will put in points to balance internal systems, manage stress, regulate hormones, etc.

Expect to get acupuncture in areas distant from your area of concern. For example, if you have knee pain, you will likely also get points in the wrist, ankles and feet. Acupuncture is holistic and this is normal.

You’ll be left alone to nap (with a call button in case you need anything). Afterwards, your acupuncturist will remove all the needles and you’re done!

Does acupuncture hurt?

Acupuncture is comfortable and should not be painful. Occasionally you may feel a slight pinch when a needle is inserted, but most points feel like nothing at all. Some areas of the body are a bit more sensitive, like the ears and the tops of the feet, and others less sensitive, like the abdomen and scalp. Overall, we always tell our patients that they should be comfortable enough to take a nap. 

Are the needles sterile? Are they single-use?

Yes, all needles are pre-sterilized, single-use, and disposable, according to FDA regulations. 

Needles are always thrown away in a biohazard box at the end of a treatment. They are never re-used.

Does insurance cover acupuncture?

While there are some insurances that cover acupuncture, currently we do not accept insurance. However, if you have acupuncture coverage as part of your insurance, we can provide you with a superbill receipt. A superbill is a receipt specifically for insurance companies. It includes information such as diagnosis codes and acupuncture codes. 

How does a superbill work? You pay the provider (Seneca Falls Acupuncture) the full fee for the treatment. You submit the superbill to your insurance company, and they reimburse the difference between what we charge ($80 for new patients, $70 for follow ups) and your acupuncture-specific co-pay. For example, if your new patient treatment is $80 and your copay is $45, the insurance company would reimburse you $35. Please call us with questions. We are happy to help: (607) 216-8112

Is there anything I should do to prepare for my first acupuncture treatment?

  • – Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing so that we can access major joints and body areas such as the knees and elbows.
  • – Eat a snack or meal 1-2 hours before your appointment.
  • – Get detailed in your health history and symptom intake. Chinese medicine is a whole-body system of medicine, so we care about how you feel in all facets and will ask a lot of questions. Be patient with all the questions, and thorough in your answers so we can help you as best as possible!
  • – If possible, don’t brush your tongue before treatment. Looking at the tongue in its natural state helps with diagnosis. For real! 🙂
  • – Don’t worry about the needles or treatment process. Your acupuncturist will guide you through each step and ask if you have questions. 
  • – Don’t be surprised if you nap! Most patients fall asleep on the treatment table once needles are in. 
  •  

"I love this place!!"

“My daughter told me about Michelle, while visiting her. I now book treatments every month when I visit my grand baby in Seneca Falls. Michelle is caring and very knowledgeable, atmosphere calming and relaxing, like visiting a friend. I enjoy the treatments they really work!!”   – Liz C., Seneca Falls

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐   VIEW OUR 80+ FIVE-STAR GOOGLE REVIEWS HERE.

What training is required to become an acupuncturist?

Great question! An acupuncture degree is either an extensive Master’s of Science degree (typically 150-165 credits) or a Doctorate of Acupuncture (180-190 credits).

A master’s degree for acupuncture is 3 years, year-round, which is 9 semesters total. This equates to 4.5 years of study on a traditional semester system. 

A doctorate for acupuncture is usually 3.5 years, or 10-11 semesters. 

Both degree paths include at least 3 years in clinic: First observing (Year 1), then assisting (Year 2) and then, finally, taking on patients under the supervision of a clinician (Year 3+). 

Acupuncturists must also pass 3-5 national board exams (depending on the state) in order to apply for a state license. And like all healthcare professions, they are required to take continuing education courses each year to maintain their license.

Where is Seneca Falls Acupuncture located?

We are located in the old Mynderse Middle School, now known as Academy Square or Academy Park. The address is 12 N. Park Street, Seneca Falls, New York, 13148. We recommend parking in the large lot just of Route 5&20. We’re on the first floor. If you use the Service Entrance on the north side of the library (facing the public library), we are the first door on the left.

We are about 25 minutes west of Auburn, 35 minutes west of Skaneateles, 20 minutes east of Geneva, and 35 minutes east of Canandaigua. If you have questions about our location, please feel free to call (607) 216-8112 and our friendly staff will help guide you.

Do you have Google or other reviews I can read before making an appointment?

Absolutely. We’re proud to have over 80 five-star Google reviews. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐    VIEW OUR GOOGLE REVIEWS HERE.

Feel like yourself again: Pain and symptom-free

Ready to get started?

Make an appointment online or call us at (607) 216-8112. Texts are also welcome!

In Chinese medicine, every patient is approached individually. We’ll discuss your goals & current health to create a treatment plan based on your unique needs.

Whether your goal is younger-looking skin, reduced pain, or less anxiety, acupuncture helps restore your body’s natural balance (homeostasis) so it can heal itself.