FAQs
New to acupuncture or herbal medicine? You’re not alone. These FAQs cover what to expect, commonly asked questions, and how treatment works—so you can feel confident before your first appointment.
Have questions before booking? You’re in the right place. This page covers the most common questions about acupuncture and herbal medicine—what to expect, how to prepare, what we treat, and appointment details—so you can feel confident before your first visit.
General Questions
Acupuncture is a hands on, evidence informed therapy that uses very thin, sterile, single use needles to stimulate specific points on the body. From a Western medicine perspective, many of these points sit near dense networks of nerves, connective tissue, and small blood vessels. Stimulating them can influence how the nervous system processes pain and stress, and how the body regulates tension, circulation, and recovery.
Most people find acupuncture relaxing. Some notice changes quickly, such as lighter pain, easier movement, or better sleep. Ongoing issues typically improve with a short plan of care over several visits.
Acupuncture is safe when performed by a licensed professional using sterile, single use needles. We also screen for red flags and refer out when appropriate.
Chronic Pain
- Acute injuries
- Ankle pain
- Arthritis
- Back pain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches & Migraines
- Jaw pain
- Knee pain
- Low back pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Sciatica
- Shoulder pain
- Tennis elbow
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Wrist pain
Breathing Issues
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- COPD
- Seasonal Allergies
- Sinusitis
Digestive Issues
- Colitis
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Indigestion
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Vomiting
Mental Health
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Emotional problems
- Fatigue
- PTSD
- Seasonal affective disorder
- Stress
Women’s Health
- Healthy pregnancy
- Infertility
- Menopause symptoms
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Menstrual irregularities
- Morning sickness
- PMS
- Reproductive problems
Other
- Autoimmune diseases
- Chronic fatigue
- Common cold
- Dizziness
- Facial palsy and tics
- Incontinence
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Sleep disturbances
- Smoking cessation
In many cases, yes. Acupuncture is commonly used alongside primary care, physical therapy, and other treatments. We can coordinate care when needed.
Yes. Many pain patterns involve muscle guarding, nervous system sensitization, stress load, or movement compensation even when imaging does not show a clear cause.
New Patients
The consultation is a 20-30 minute one-on-one meeting to go over your paperwork, answer questions, discuss whether or not you are a good candidate for acupuncture, and give you treatment plan options.
Yes. If we have decided that you are a good candidate for acupuncture, Glacier Blue Acupuncture has multiple treatment rooms, so we can add you to the schedule and get your started right way.
Loose-fitting, comfortable clothing. Depending on what you are coming in for, it will determine which points will be used; back pain will have some points on the back, hip pain will have points on the hip, etc. For most acupuncture treatments, points are located below the knee and around the wrist. If you wear shorts or yoga pants that can be pulled up comfortably, it will be fine.
Women coming in for mid-back pain should avoid wearing a super tight sports bra.
We do have gowns and ‘loaner clothing’ if you are not wearing clothing appropriate for your acupuncture treatment.
Each session lasts approximately 1 hour. To achieve optimum health, we believe in treating both sides of the body. Traditional acupuncture focuses on harmonizing the body’s opposing forces, and stimulating both sides ensures that the flow of Qi (energy) is evenly distributed. If you have pain on one side, you often compensate by overusing the other, leading to imbalances. Treating both sides corrects these patterns.
No. We are medical professionals and do not expect tips.
Insurance & Payments
Currently, we are in-network with the VA only. If you have benefits through the VA, you will need to ask your physician for a referral.
With most insurance plans, it is best to call your insurance provider to inquire about your out-of-network acupuncture benefits. If you would prefer our billing department to check your benefits, a link will be provided when you schedule your initial consultation.
There are very few insurance plans that cover acupuncture treatments; if your plan does, it may be for a very specific ailment(s). With some policies, acupuncture treatments are eligible for reimbursement or can go toward your deductible. We will be happy to work with you and create the proper invoices for you to submit directly to your insurance company. Currently, Medicare will only cover chronic low back pain that you have been living with for over 12 weeks. We will be happy to work with you and create the proper invoices for you to submit directly to your Medicare provider for reimbursement.
If you have a flexible spending account (FSA) or a medical health savings account (HSA) that gives you a “debit” card to access your funds, acupuncture is an acceptable way to use those funds, and we can process payment just like a credit card.
We can accept all major credit cards, FSA and HSA cards that can be processed like a credit card, or cash.
No. We are medical professionals and do not expect tips.
What we treat
Glacier Blue Acupuncture treats a wide range of concerns—especially those tied to pain, stress, inflammation, and chronic imbalance. Whether you’re dealing with something new or something that’s been lingering for years, we’ll look at the full picture and create a plan tailored to your body and your goals.
Pain Relief
✓ Headaches & migraines
✓ Neck & back pain
✓ Shoulder pain & Rotator cuff irritation
✓ Knee pain
✓ Sciatica & nerve irritation
✓ TMJ & jaw tension
✓ Arthritis & joint pain
✓ Sports injuries & muscle strains
Women’s Health
✓ Fertility support
✓ PMS
✓ Menopause
✓ Urinary issues
Sinus & Allergy Relief
✓ Colds
✓ Congestion
✓ Seasonal allergies
✓ Sinus pressure
Mental Wellness
✓ Anxiety
✓ Depression support
✓ Stress
✓ Burnout
Digestive Support
✓ Bloating
✓ Diarrhea
✓ Constipation
✓ Digestive distress