Frequently Asked Questions
Cost?
New Patient Visits $140.00 Return Visits $80.00
Do you take insurance?
No, we are not in network with any insurance company. However, it’s always best to check your policy. Upon request, a superbill can be provided for you to use for reimbursement on your own behalf (no guarantee of reimbursement).
We are not it network or covered by medicare/medicaid.
Payment can be made at the time of service using cash, check, visa, mastercard, discover, and most HSA or FSA cards can also be used.
How do I schedule?
New Patient: Call the office at 919-561-6858 to be put on the waitlist
Existing patients: Click the appointment request button and select return visit to choose a day/time that works for you.
If you don’t see something that works, call or email the office to see what we can do.
What Happens during a treatment?
First, we discuss your current health complaint and wellness goals, then you lay on a massage table and your practitioner will do some quick assessments like feeling the pulse in your wrist and taking a peek at your tongue, it sounds weird, but these are a few important diagnostic tools in Chinese Medicine! Then palpate a few acupuncture points to see what is tender, those points are swabbed with alcohol and the needles placed. Then the best part is you get to RELAX with no distractions and let the acupuncture do its work!
How long is a treatment:
Treatments are typically around 1 hour long. The first visit may take a bit longer so budget 1 hour and 15 minutes of time.
How many treatments does it take?
Our goal is always to get you feeling better as fast as possible!
There are many variables that go into answering this question including severity and duration of a condition. For example, if you’ve had a condition for many years, it’s going to take more treatments than if you threw your back out last week. Typically, within 6-8 treatments patients have noticeable improvement. Then we can modify the treatment plan based on the results. More weekly treatment may be necessary, but if you’re getting the results you want, then we start to taper treatments off. After the initial evaluation, your practitioner can usually give a better idea of what kind of time frame is reasonable.
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture is an ancient medicine that uses tiny needles to stimulate the body which causes both a local response at the needling site as well as activates neurotransmitters in the brain. Neuroimaging studies with functional MRI’s have shown that different areas of the brain are activated when stimulating acupuncture points. This helps to relax the body, release muscle tension, alleviate pain, and increase circulation. Acupuncture is a medicine that treats the whole body and research shows that acupuncture can affect different body systems including the nervous system, muscle tone, hormone outputs, circulation, allergic response/antibody production, as well as respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive system.
What does acupuncture treat?
We treat people, not diseases! You are so much more than lab tests and numbers on paper. No matter what health complaint you have, how complex it seems, and even if you’ve seen a bunch of other healthcare providers with limited success, we do our best to help you reach your health goals and get relief naturally.
Acupuncture is positively researched and the National Institute of Health (NIH) and World Health Organization (WHO) has compiled a list of over 40 diseases that acupuncture successfully treats including pain, headaches, allergies, PMS, digestive disorders, and headaches to name a few.
Does it Hurt?
NO! A common misconception is that acupuncture needles hurt and it will feel like getting a shot, but that can’t be further from the truth! Acupuncture does not hurt and is actually very relaxing, the needles are teeny tiny, about the width of 1-2 human hairs and solid (not hollow like the needles you get shots with). I have many patients who are nervous the first time and after they get acupuncture, they’re like “hey, that was no big deal.” Remember, it’s only new the first time, so don’t let fear hold you back from feeling better.
Are the needles safe?
Yes. Acupuncture needles are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are sterile and one-time-use. This means that they come out of a sterile package, are used just on you, and then disposed of in a biohazard container. I am certified in clean needle technique, which is all about patient safety, properly handling the needle, swabbing the site with alcohol, and proper disposal.
What Holistic Modalities do You Use?
There is no one size fits all approach and Dr. Tory is skilled at many different holistic modalities. There’s always more than one way to approach a health problem and a comprehensive perspective is taken to find the solutions that work for you.
Acupuncture will be used in every treatment, but is often combined with other techniques when clinically relevant to maximize results including:
Essential oils/aromatherapy: The use of aromatic plant extracts and essential oils for therapeutic purposes (inhaled or applied to the body).
Reiki: A healing technique to activate the natural healing process of the body to promote physical and emotional well-being.
Cupping: A technique where a glass cup is suctioned to the body for a few minutes to increase circulation and decrease pain. It’s good for common pain conditions and early stages of the common cold. You’ve probably seen round “cupping” marks on olympic athletes.
Gua Sha: Dermal friction therapy applied to places like the neck, back and shoulders to increase circulation and decrease pain.
Moxibustion: A form of heat therapy in which dried plant materials called "moxa" is held near the surface of the skin to warm it. Moxibustion is beneficial for conditions like arthritis, certain pain types, and fertility cases to name a few.
Qi Gong: Coordinated movement, breathing, and meditation exercises to increase energy, increase mobility, and decrease stress.
Tuina: TCM therapeutic massage and bodywork.
Diet and Lifestyle: In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), food is viewed as “medicinal” and an important tool to treat illness and maintain health. Suggestions are made based on your unique case as a comprehensive approach to health.
Mind-body: We can never truly separate the mind from the body so as part of our holistic system, we may offer suggestions for meditation, breathing techniques, and various mindfulness practices.
What is Herbal Medicine?
Herbal medicine is an important part of TCM because it is a powerful tool that can aid in the healing process from the inside out by using plants and botanicals in carefully mixed formulas. Herbal medicine can be taken in various forms including teas, patents (pills) and tinctures (liquid). You can’t buy these over-the-counter, you have to be a licensed practitioner to dispense Chinese Herbal formulas. When appropriate, supplements may be recommended as well to support your body's healing
Still not sure?
We want you to be with the practitioner and healing modalities that are right for you. If acupuncture and holistic medicine is new to you, take advantage of the free 15 minute phone consultation to get your questions answered and find out if we are a good fit.