Frequently asked questions
Acupuncture is a modality within Chinese Medicine that involves the insertion of tiny, single-use, medical grade, surgical steel needles into the body at specific points with the intention of eliciting a specific healing response. The needles are not "the medicine". The healing process is actually accomplished by the patient's body responding to the messages that it receives from the Acupuncturist stimulating certain points, or combinations of points. Allopathic medical studies have shown that Acupuncture positively impacts neurotransmitters and hormones, increases blood flow, and reduces inflammation, but they have yet to determine exactly how Acupuncture works.
Acupuncture is a very safe form of medicine, especially if performed by a licensed Acupuncturist. Injuries from Acupuncture are very rare, with the most common one being a small bruise at the insertion site (again, this is very rare). To obtain licensure, multiple aspects of an Acupuncturist's training centers around hygeinic practices and utilizing Clean Needle Technique. Infections, injuries to organs, and adverse side effects are highly uncommon. Your health and safety are a priority!
SpringRoot Acupuncture is located on the ground floor, directly off the parking lot, at 40 Maine Street North, Suite 1B in Woodbury, CT. Look for our mandala logo on the door.
We kindly ask for 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment. In cases where appointments are cancelled, or missed all together, without notification:
The first time will be free of charge
The second time, there will be a charge equaling 50% of the treatment fee
The third time, there will be a full charge of the treatment fee an assessment on whether treatments should continue to be scheduled at that time
It is understood that emergencies happen. If an emergency causes you to miss your appointment, please don't hesitate to speak with us.
Currently, the practitioner at SpringRoot is not in any insurance networks. Insurance coverage for Acupuncture can widely vary, not just between companies, but also within the different plans. It is recommended that you contact your insurance provider to find out if you have out of network benefits for Acupuncture. If you do, the fees for services would be paid out of pocket and we can provide you with a coded receipt that you can submit for reimbursement.
There is no charge for an initial 15 minute consult. Please come in, see the clinic and meet our provider. You will receive her best recommendations regarding your conditions and a personalized treatment plan with no obligation to be treated that day.
During your initial consultation at SpringRoot Acupuncture, Rachel Beth Dorfman, L.Ac, will review your intake forms with you, explore your health history, and discuss your goals for treatment. A personalized treatment program will be created and discussed with you. We always allow enough time for you to stay for your first treatment following your consultation. The consultation typically lasts about 15 minutes and the treatment lasts about 30-40 minutes. On average, you will be with us for about an hour the first time you come in, and 30-40 minutes for follow-up visits.
The cost of Acupuncture at SpringRoot varies based on the type of treatment and treatment plan that you receive. The initial consultation is complimentary. Our provider will give you her best recommendations regarding your conditions and provide you with a personalized treatment plan and its pricing. There is no obligation to be treated that day. Some insurance plans provide out of network coverage for Acupuncture. We can help you explore if that option is available to you.
Please wear comfortable, loose clothing or layers that allow us to access at minimum up to your knees and elbows. If you are coming for shoulder pain, please bring or wear a tank top. You may also bring shorts or loose clothing to change into if you prefer.
It is ideal not to come on an empty stomach or very full stomach. Please have a light meal or snack prior to your visit. If you are diabetic or prone to hypoglycemia, please bring a snack or juice to the clinic with you to have on hand. In rare instances, blood sugar can drop during or after receiving Acupuncture.
For your first visit, if you were unable to fill out the intake forms ahead of time, we invite you to arrive 15 minutes early so that you can fill them out online, or complete a paper set of forms. For follow-up visits, we welcome you to arrive 5 minutes early to settle in, use the restroom, and start to relax before your treatment.
We advise you to listen to your body. If you feel tired, rest. If you feel energized, do some movement (very gently, if we are working on healing a structural injury, please!). If you feel thirsty, hydrate. Acupuncture is all about bringing the body into balance. Your body will tell you what it needs! It is not advised to move directly into something strenuous or taxing, but gentle movement, like walking, hiking, yoga, or gardening should be fine. If you can give yourself a few hours after your treatment to remain in a calm, relaxed state, that would be ideal.
It is not recommended to consume alcohol, or even caffeine, directly after Acupuncture.
Yes! We're happy to schedule you all together. We can even treat you in the same room, if you like.
Yes! Our provider is certified in pediatrics. Please inform us if a consultation is for a child or infant. We ask that a parent or guardian be present at the time of treatment.
Everyone is different and there are no ways to predict how one person's body might respond vs. another's. Some people feel a difference immediately and others may need a few treatments. Complex, chronic presentations could take months. It's not that the Acupuncture is not working, it's that the body has a lot of deep healing to do before it can focus on alleviating the presenting symptoms. In many cases, our best recommendation is to come one or more times per week for the first few weeks, and then appointments are spread out further over time as the body starts to "hold" the treatments. More often than not, though, patients report some kind of improvement (sleep, digestion, energy level, pain level) within 1-3 treatments.
At SpringRoot, a consultation is typically about 15 minutes long and Acupuncture treatments average 30-40 minutes. You will be with us for about an hour the first time you come in, and 30-40 minutes for follow-up visits.
Believe it or not, many people fall asleep or go into a meditative state during their treatment, some even while the needles are being put in! Acupuncture tends to be relaxing for people, in fact it's excellent for calming the mind and regulating the nervous system. The needles are very small, smaller than a human hair. When an Acupuncture needle is being inserted it can feel like nothing at all. It can feel dull or achy. Or it can feel like a tiny, sharp sensation. In either of these situations, those sensations should dissipate very quickly. Some people have very peaceful experiences with vivid dreams or thoughts, others go into a deep state of rest. Afterwards, most patients report mental clarity, a sense of calm, and feeling more grounded in addition to what they are being treated for.
One of the things that our provider, Rachel, is known for is being very gentle. She is certified in pediatrics and often uses those same techniques with adults. If you have a concern or fear, let us know. We will adapt to make your experience as comfortable and pleasant as possible.