Frequently Asked Questions

Who will be working on me?
All services at Heal Acupuncture® are provided by Nicole Ware a highly trained and nationally certified acupuncturist and herbalist, who is licensed and board certified in acupuncture by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and by the Composite State Board of Medical Examiners of Georgia.

What to expect during a treatment?
During your initial consultation and exam, a full health history is taken and all your areas of concern are discussed. Questions regarding health, symptoms, diet, and lifestyle are asked. Any necessary physical exams and tests are conducted appropriately depending on your health concerns and chief complaints. This thorough discussion allows us to effectively construct a treatment plan tailored to meet your particular constitution and individual health needs. Acupuncture treatments and protocols are selected based on your individual symptoms and most importantly the underlying imbalance that causes your problem. Once the needles are inserted, you typically relax deeply for approximately 30 minutes as your energy rebalances. A majority of people feel very relaxed and more serene after the treatment.

Does acupuncture hurt?
Because of the Japanese style training, acupuncture is virtually painless. A slight pinch may be felt as the needles are inserted, but most people feel nothing at all. The actual size of the needles are no bigger than a human hair. Each needle is sterilized and used only once.

What does acupuncture treat?
Most patients are surprised to learn the extensive use of acupuncture beyond just pain relief. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the (NIH) National Institute for Health recognizes the use of acupuncture in the treatment of a wide range of medical problems.

The following is a list of illnesses and conditions for which acupuncture has been proven to be effective. It is possible to treat these and many other conditions with acupuncture and Chinese medicine:

What is Chinese herbal medicine?
Herbs are the original medicine of the world. Oriental medicine has used herbal blends to address life's health challenges for thousands of years. These time-tested herbal teas and pills gently address infections (such as colds and sore throat), stress, sleep disturbances, skin disorders, and health and immune boosting tonics.

How does acupuncture work?
There are both eastern and western medical theories to help explain why acupuncture works. Western medicine currently has several theories on the efficacy of acupuncture. In the simplist of terms, fine needles are inserted into specific acupuncture points that cause the body to release it's own natural endorphins which block the pain message to the brain. In addition, the needles can also cause blood, oxygen and white blood cells to rush to the tissue facilitating healing. For thousands of years Chinese medicine has thought that energy or Qi travels the body thru pathways called meridians. When the flow become obstructed due to injury, emotional stress, life-style or personal imbalances, disease is thought to arise. Through the insertion of sterile acupuncture needles, blockages are removed and allows the energy to flow smoothly again returning balance and health to the body's system. The proper flow of energy or Qi in the bodys helps to warm, nourish and invigorate the body.

Is acupuncture safe?
Because acupuncture is drug-free, side effects are minimal. It is important to have eaten the day of treatment and some people feel "spacey" or sleepy after treatments so plan accordingly. Please alert Nicole if you have a pacemaker, blood clotting disorders, herb allergies, take a blood thinner or are pregnant so that the appropriate precautions are taken. Our extensive training ensures a safe and effective experience at Heal Acupuncture and Herbal Center in Savannah.

Does insurance cover acupuncture?
Some insurance plans cover acupuncture, so please check with your insurance provider. If they cover acupuncture services, Heal Acupuncture and Herbal Center will provide a receipt for you to submit for reimbursement. SCAD and Gulfstream currently cover acupuncture in Savannah.

How many visits do I need?
The number of visits varies from patient to patient and can be related to how long you have had your health problems. A treatment protocol and an estimation of duration and frequency of vists will be discussed during your initial consultation.

Cost of the treatment
The initial visit is $125.00 and lasts about an hour and thirty minutes and includes a full health history consultation/intake and an acupuncture treatment. Follow up visits last approximately an hour so that you receive full attention to your health needs. The cost is $60.00 per visit if you are treated weekly and $50.00 a visit if you require twice a week treatments. A treatment protocol and an estimation of duration and frequency of visits will be discussed during your initial consultation.

My back pain is gone after 4 treatments. I’ve tried everything and acupunture finally worked.
-SW

My chronic skin issue disappeared and so did my stress and upset stomach. Thank you!
-JH