FAQs

What is structural medical acupuncture?

Integrated Structural Acupuncture is a system of acupuncture that uses a point verification system. It is a Japanese style of acupuncture based on the teachings of Kiko Matusmoto. During the session I will be testing specific areas on your abdomen, back, arms and legs that will help me to both diagnose possible imbalances and allow me to be sure the needles will be beneficial in their placement.

In this way, both practitioner and patient actively participate in the healing process. This system is effective for treating acute and chronic pain, reducing stress, and improving sleep.

How do meridians work?

The classical Chinese explanation is that channels of energy run in regular patterns through the body and over its surface. These energy channels, called meridians, are like rivers flowing through the body to irrigate and nourish the tissues. An obstruction in the movement of these energy rivers is like a dam that backs up in others.

When the flow is blocked then a person may experience pain. Sometimes other symptoms or imbalances occur. Proper placement of the acupuncture needle can relieve this blockage and allow the energy to run smoothly again and health balance can be restored.

Is acupuncture painful?

People experience acupuncture needling differently. Most patients feel only minimal pain as the needles are inserted; some feel no pain at all. Once the needles are in place, there is no pain felt. Acupuncture needles are very thin and solid and are made from stainless steel. The point is smooth (not hollow with cutting edges like a hypodermic needle) so insertion through the skin is not as painful as injections or blood sampling. The risk of bruising and skin irritation is less than when using a hollow needle.

Because I only use singe use/ disposable needles, there is no risk of infection from the treatments.

How many sessions are needed?

The number of sessions needed varies from person to person. Oftentimes people will come for private sessions one a week or once every two weeks and then taper down as symptoms improve. For some people, monthly or seasonal maintainence sessions work well. In truth there is not "one size fits all" protocol for treatment. Each person is treated as the individual that they are.

In general I encourage clients to plan to come for 4 to 6 seperate visits before determining how well they will respond to the therapy. With acute problems, usually fewer overall visits are required. A more longstanding problems may take longer to show the full benefit of acupuncture.

In China patients commonly receive acupuncture multiple times in a week. This is difficult to do in the USA because individual treatments can be quite expensive. This is one of the many reasons that "community acupuncture" can be a good option. Click here to learn more about community acupuncture

What types of acupuncture do you offer?

Battlefield acupuncture: This is a specific type of ear acupuncture used to treat chronic pain. See my blog post on Battlefield acupuncture a more detailed discussion. This type of visit is much shorter (15min in and out) and so is more affordable. However it is not as complete a treatment as you might get in a community or private session as the points are only on the ear and specifically chosen to treat pain, not to address any underlying imbalance's that may be causing the pain.

Please see my blog post on Battlefield acupuncture for more details.

Private Acupuncture Sessions: With this type of visit you will be in a private room and will stay for one hour. Since there offers more privacy points on the abdomen and back may also be used. This type of acupuncture is not better or worse than the community model, just different. But since it is a private session there is a higher cost per session.

Do you take insurance?

I no longer take insurance. I found it was difficult to get payment from insurance companies. The cost of a community acupuncture session is equal to or less than most insurance co-pays. This is one of the reasons we decided to offer community acupuncture.

Does acupuncture help chronic pain?

Yes, most people will find some improvement in their pain with acupuncture. However not everyone finds acupuncture helpful. In rare instance a person may not respond to acupuncture at all.

In general I recommend clients come for 4 or 5 sessions and then assess how they are doing. If you do not feel some improvent after 4 sessions then perhaps acupuncture is not for you.

Community Acupuncture: With this type of acupuncture you will be treated in a quiet, shared space with up to 2 other clients. Appointments are booked 15 to 20 min apart so someone may be in the room when you arrive or they may arrive while you are there. We use points in the arms, legs, ear, and head. One set of needles are used and remain in until you feel "done". We spend time during the first visit orienting you so you will know what that means. Oftentimes people fall asleep and when they wake up we take the needles out. You can stay in the treatment room with the needles in place for up to one hour. Receiving acupuncture in a shared space allows for us to charge a fraction of what a private session costs. The community room is a quiet, healing space. Community acpuncture practices exist all over the United States and have been shown to be of creat benefit.

Reiki: Reiki is a type of energy healing. In a reiki treatment I place my hands over certain energy centers of the body. This session lasts 30 min. To learn more about Reiki you can click on this button.

Medical Acupuncture

Dr. Farrell-Riley is a board-certified family physician with additional certification in integrated structural acupuncture. This type of acupuncture is especially helpful for treating pain related to muscle, nerve, and bone problems (such as muscle strains, spinal stenosis, and arthritis). However, with its focus on restoring balance to the body's natural healing systems, it can be of benefit for any condition.

This practice accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance. Dr Farrell-Riley also provides a discounted rate for clients paying at the time of service.

CFR MEDICAL ACUPUNCTURE

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294 Pleasant Street. Suite 201

Stoughton, MA 02072

508-565-8732

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