Here are our answers to the most frequently asked questions we get about our practice and acupuncture:

1. What is acupuncture?
2. Will acupuncture hurt?
3. Is acupuncture safe?
4. Will acupuncture work for me?
5. What will happen during the first visit?
6. What is a typical treatment like?
7. How long does a treatment take?
8. How many treatments will I need?
9. How long will the results last?
10. Will acupuncture cure my problem?
11. Any other recommendations to help the treatments?
12. Do you guarantee results?
13. Are your needles disposable?
14. How often will I need to be treated?
15. How long will I have to be treated?
16. Is this a cure or just a temporary block?
17. Will insurance pay?
18. What about my medications?
19. If it works will I always have to continue treatments?
20. How is the acupuncture at the Mind Body Institute different?

Acupuncture is a vital part of Chinese medicine, the oldest system of health care known. It regulates the body's ability to heal through the stimulation of different sites on the body with a very fine needle. The results include specific and measurable chemical, electrical and functional changes around the site of treatment, the brain and other areas of the body. For the patient, that response produces decreasing symptoms that last for increasingly longer amounts of time.

It's virtually painless!

Experienced hands help to make the whole experience pleasant. Very fine surgical steel needles are used. Since they are solid and very thin, they can be inserted without the discomfort that is typically associated with a needle.

Acupuncture is an extremely safe therapeutic procedure. Our experience, training and remaining current in the profession ensure you are being given the best care possible.

Your safety and well-being is our primary concern. We use the highest-quality disposable equipment available.  We encourage our patients to continue all current treatments, therapies and medications as advised by their physician.

We understand why most of our patients seek help from The Mind Body Institute.

Typically, they are using acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy to enhance the health care they are receiving or because standard therapies, medications and treatments have been ineffective.

Others are seeking a more natural treatment as a way to regain control of their own health. Whatever your reason might be we will treat you the way we like to be treated ourselves.

Your case will be approached in a sensible and practical way. We will start with a treatment-trial to determine if acupuncture will work for you. As the treatments progress a cumulative response should be realized, with subsequent treatments scheduled accordingly.

Today more people than ever seek help from acupuncture because it:

• Relieves pain
• Helps normalize functional disorders
• Alleviates nausea
• Reduces inflammation
• Boosts immune system
• Reduces nicotine and drug addiction
• Promotes whole-body healing
• Integrates well with traditional medical care

During your first visit you will learn if acupuncture is an appropriate treatment for your condition. A specific number of treatments will be recommended to serve as a trial to determine if your case will respond to acupuncture. You will also have a clear understanding of ways to assess your progress and when to expect results.

During a typical treatment you will experience minute disposable needles being gently inserted into the skin at specific sites on the body. Because they are extremely thin you will usually only feel a slight sensation. Occasionally either manual rotation or electrical stimulation generating a soft, painless current is applied to add additional stimulation. Often, a feeling of pleasant relaxation or general well-being follows a treatment.

An initial visit typically lasts 50-60 minutes. Each treatment after will typically last 45 minutes. We try to stay on time because your time is as valuable as ours. We do not double-book appointments for the same reason. 

The number of treatments that you will need will vary according to your condition. One or two treatments may be sufficient for some acute conditions. Chronic problems usually require a longer treatment period with results not evident until after a few treatments.

Acupuncture treatments produce a cumulative effect with time, so you will be able to increase the duration of time between visits as the results build.

This varies with the individual. Initially the results are short-lived and subtle. Subsequent treatments should provide longer-lasting and greater degrees of improvement. The response will accelerate as the treatments progress.

The treatments themselves do not cure a condition. They can, however, help a patient heal a condition by stimulating the patient's natural mechanism for healing.

Click here to learn about the comprehensive programs that we offer at the Mind Body Institute. 

• Health Evaluations
• Acupuncture
• Massage Therapy
• Healing Touch
• Yoga
• Programs for Health
• Psychotherapy
• Many More.......

• 12. Do you guarantee results?

No. We do, however, guarantee that we will try our best to help you. We also will treat you the way we would like to be treated ourselves. We will always tell you if we don't think we can help you.

Absolutely! We protect you as well as we protect ourselves.

14. How often will I need to be treated?

We will recommend a schedule of treatments that will provide the fastest response.  The frequency varies by the case.  As our patients are feeling better, they are expected to increase the time between visits. This process is continued until there is no longer a need for treatment, or until maximum improvement is realized.

This varies with each case. Fortunately, in a relatively short time patients are able to discern if the treatments are effective . At that point there should be greater improvement noted that lasts for longer periods of time.  Since our patients schedule their treatments on an as-needed basis, they are able to increase the amount of time between visits.  

Acupuncture does not block pain. It relieves it. This explains why it usually takes a few visits for the results to manifest.

While some insurance carriers recognize acupuncture, others still do not. We encourage patients to check with their individual policy for reimbursement information.

Medications will not interfere with acupuncture treatment. Please follow the advice of your physician so that we are all working together to provide you with the best care possible.

No. As our patients realize results from the treatments, they are able to add more time between treatments until they stop needing treatment or have reached maximum medical improvement.

Some patients do find that they need an occasional treatment to boost the treatment results if activities or time cause the condition to return or increase.

20. How is the acupuncture at the Mind Body Institute different?

Bill Skelton has a unique way of blending the qualities of traditional Chinese medicine, which has a 5,000-year history, with modern acupuncture techniques and equipment into a contemporary treatment style.

His exceptional education in the Republic of China, over three decades of clinical experience and professional work that includes research, writing and teaching add a dimension of skills that helps our patients get well. 

By working within the healthcare system we ensure that you get the best care possible.