frequently asked questions ~ general acupuncture

Yes! We offer a 10% discount for Veterans and active duty for medical acupuncture/Chinese medicine.

Military ID required to receive discount.

*Community Acupuncture, Facial Rejuvenation, and Microneedling not included.

Sometimes there is a pinch or pin-prick sensation as the needle is inserted, but it is usually mild and passes quickly. For more sensitive people there may be more sensation but still, acupuncture is regarded by most to be a painless and pleasant experience.  

Typically, initial visits are 90 minutes. Return visits are 60 minutes and Facial Rejuvenation or MicroNeedling treatments are 90-120 minutes.  

Yes!  

Being patient and making adjustments to your lifestyle are the best ways to ensure you are doing what you can to achieve the results you want. Acupuncture can be effective on the first visit or two for acute problems with pain, for example. It commonly takes approximately 6 treatments to start seeing results for chronic conditions. The longer the condition has been present, the longer it will take to notice results. 

The three most important factors which determine this are:  

• how long the condition has been present  

• lifestyle  

• genetics  

Common practice is to have 6 sessions close together (a few times a week for more extreme conditions like stroke or Bell’s Palsy recovery, or once a week for milder conditions). After that, the condition is reassessed and another treatment plan is implemented depending on the progress of the condition.  

These treatments work on animals, unconscious patients, and infants – all kinds of organisms in all kinds of states of cognitive understanding. There is no need to believe in these methods for it to work because universal laws of physics are at play. That said, the power of the mind when it does believe something is irrefutably powerful. So, “believing” is beneficial but not necessary. 

Upon arriving at the clinic there will be an intake period where the practitioner asks questions. They will check your pulses and you will be asked to show the acupuncturist your tongue. All this is to help the acupuncturist know how your whole body is working and what is needed to address your primary concerns(s). After the intake, you will lie on a massage table where acupuncture needles or other methods of treatment will be applied at various locations on your body. This may include moxibustion, gua sha, tui na (body work), or the use of cups. 

When the treatment is done, needles are removed (where applicable) and the practitioner may leave the room for a few minutes while you collect yourself.  Some people feel very relaxed, experiencing an altered state after a treatment, in which case we advise going for a short walk or sitting quietly before driving.  

Most treatments last 1.5 hours. They begin with a consultation to assess all your body systems - and for return patients, to assess whether anything has changed since your last visit. This usually includes the practitioner taking your pulse and viewing your tongue. Facial Rejuvenation acupuncture employs numerous, fine needles and may also include other healing techniques used in Chinese medicine, as well.  

There is generally no downtime after a treatment. 

Arriving with a freshly washed face wearing a tank top is ideal and saves time so we can focus on revitalizing you. In addition, try to have something to eat at least 2 hours before your treatment. This provides ample resources to ensure the best treatment for you. 

The first course of treatment is up to 12 weeks of weekly sessions. After that, you and the acupuncturist may decide that you want to continue weekly treatments, or you may be ready to move to a bi-weekly or monthly schedule. As with all self-care, facial rejuvenation requires regular maintenance. 

Though acupuncture has been used for facial rejuvenation since at least as early as 230 BCE, the use of acupuncture in Cosmetology has recently had a revival and attracted great attention in Japan, Hong Kong, Sweden and beyond, garnering the interest of many of Hollywood's elite. The effectiveness of acupuncture is due to its direct manipulation of the whole body’s energy system-balancing all the systems of the body, removing blockages or adding energy when necessary to various layers of the physical and immaterial body. This has a direct impact on how we look.  

A 1996 report in the International Journal of Clinical Acupuncture sites that among 300 cases treated with Facial Acupuncture, “90% had marked effects with one course of treatment. The effects included: the skin becoming delicate and fair, improvement of the elasticity of facial muscles and leveling of wrinkles, a ruddier complexion, and overall rejuvenation-not confined to the face.” 

– Oriental Healing Clinic Nederland  

While not a replacement for surgery, these are remarkable alternatives which provides results in skin tone and quality, lift, wrinkles and lines, and radiance (from the inside, out!) with no risk of disfigurement and no long-term side effects.  These treatments can take 5-10 years off the appearance while also improving overall health. Why mask a problem with dangerous potential side effects when you could improve your appearance and radiance naturally, addressing the internal health of your whole body, simultaneously?  

Facial Acupuncture and Microneedling are not advised until 2-3 months post-partum. 

Anyone who has lines, loose skin, burn or acne scars, discolored skin or sun damaged skin would benefit. This is a safe and effective treatment for dark skinned individuals. Micro-needling is not recommended for individuals who have taken Accutane in the past six months, those with open wounds or skin infections, anyone who has undergone radiation in the past year, those with a history of keloid scarring, those who have had a facelift in the past year, or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. 

 Some patients report mild discomfort on areas of the face directly overlying bone (i.e. forehead, lips, jaw). Numbing crème is applied to make your treatment comfortable. 

There can be transitory redness and mild irritation anywhere from 8-18 hours after treatment and it is recommended to take it easy and stay out of the sun on the day of treatment. Some people compare the immediate effects to that of a sunburn, however there is no downtime. A care regimen will be provided after your first session.

With Microneedling, most people see results two weeks after each treatment with results compounding over the first 4-6 treatments. The best results are attained with a combination of Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture treatments in between monthly Microneedling sessions.

Yes! For patients interested in cosmetic improvements, 4-session packages are available for both Microneedling and Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture. Email ana@stonemountainhealing.com for more information or call 831-453-0865. Ana will be happy to help you design a program right for you.

We are not currently offering Community Acupuncture. Please reach out to us if this is something you are interested in and we will add you to the waiting list for the next offering.  

When you arrive, we will go over your primary concerns and perform a brief intake. This may include health questions that do not directly relate to the issue for which you are seeking treatment but will help reveal the bigger picture of  your health. After the intake, a treatment strategy is created that includes an individualized acupuncture treatment. The needles are then inserted and the healing begins. The number of needles and their placement will vary. Once they are inserted and you are comfortable, you will rest for 20-35 minutes in one of our reclining zero gravity chairs, after which the needles will be removed. Before you go, we’ll share recommendations for future treatments and at home self-care, where applicable. 

Community acupuncture sessions are booked in 15 minute time slots, however each session is generally about 50 minutes long including time for the intake process. 

​You should have a snack or small meal an hour or two before you arrive for your appointment. Loose fitting, comfortable clothing that can be rolled up to the elbows and knees is recommended. Occasionally other points may be needed, either on the abdomen, shoulders, or elsewhere, but that can be discussed during your first treatment. If you have questions about a specific health concern and whether community-style is right for you, please contact us and we can discuss that further. 

This will depend greatly on your particular situation. Seldom are issues resolved with one treatment. For acute issues that are relatively new, once per week for a few weeks may be all that is required. Longer standing, chronic issues may need two or more treatments per week in the beginning, tapering off further down the line. We generally recommend once per week for a month, after which point we will reevaluate. Our goal is to space treatments out as far as possible while maintaining a good quality of life. Note that sometimes private sessions will be recommended for care that is outside of what can be offered in a community setting.  

Our clinic is offering each treatment for $35 or $45, depending on which day you choose to book your appointment. Prepayment is required for the community clinic to ensure you have the most time to rest while being seen. 

At this time we are not accepting walk-in’s. 

Acupuncture is generally a pain-free experience, and can treat a myriad of symptoms. If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email us.