Frequently Asked Questions
The sliding scale is $30 – $50 per treatment, $25 hardship rate. There’s a one-time extra $10 fee the first visit. Each patient decides where they fall on the scale and how much they can afford to pay. No questions asked, no proof required.
We understand that everybody’s situation is different. We’d rather you come more frequently to get good and lasting results, and pay lower on the scale than come less frequently and pay higher per visit.
We offer unlimited 1 week and 2 week specials, and an intro special for new patients.
If our sliding scale rates are still beyond your budget please email us to request help, subject line ‘attention Daphne, help’.
Yes! When you schedule your appointment you have the option of selecting a particular practitioner. You are also welcome to just come whenever is most convenient to you. We keep a running record of your treatments and any of us is able to see you.
Yes. We often use the opposite side of the body to treat pain, so we do not need to needle directly into the painful area. You can sit in one of our recliner chairs, a ‘zero gravity’ chair, or lie on your back on the table. We can do effective treatments in the community clinic, no matter where your pain is.
Allow about an hour for your session. You may want to feed your meter for longer so you don’t have to worry. If people get very relaxed they sometimes stay longer. 20 minutes is a general minimum amount of time for the needles to be in, but 45-60 is more common.
- Drink plenty of water through the week.
- Commit to a course of treatment.
- Avoid or reduce alcohol and caffeine on the days of your treatment.
- After treatment it is advised to be moderate in whatever you do.
For most conditions we recommend 2x a week to start, and reevaluate after 2 weeks. It’s helpful to come with frequency at the start to get momentum, then spread out treatments once feeling better.
When you click ‘book now‘ you will be taken to our scheduler which has the most update Covid/ Germ prevention policies
Acupuncture can help speed the healing of acute problems like the common cold and muscle strains or sprains. It can alleviate chronic pain, and often enables patients to cut down their pain medications and/or resume exercise.
Acupuncture also helps chronic issues like allergies, digestive problems, insomnia, menopausal symptoms and PMS. It works well on emotional issues and addictions of all sorts. In these cases regular treatment over time will be most helpful.
Regular treatment supports patients with serious health conditions that require regular medical treatment, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, Lyme infection, and cancer.
Acupuncture is excellent for anything exacerbated by stress. Many find that acupuncture increases body awareness; they feel more alive/ more awake, and naturally gravitate towards healthier lifestyle choices.
Acupuncture is NOT a magic bullet. Although “overnight” cure is possible, usually it takes a course of treatment.
You aren’t missing out on anything. No matter what style of acupuncture you receive or with whom, there will be excellent points used, and good points that are not chosen. No one treatment uses all of the acupuncture points possible for any given condition – and nor should they…that would be a heckuva lot of needles! A real benefit of community acupuncture is the healing atmosphere created by multiple treatments happening in a shared meditative space. It’s an atmosphere conducive to best results.
We think your best bet is to leave the point selections to your acupuncturist, while giving them feedback about how treatments are helping to change patterns of illness or injury for you.
No – acupuncture doesn’t have to hurt, and it definitely doesn’t feel like getting a shot at the doctor’s office. The needles are much thinner -about the width of a few human hairs, not hollow and do not inject anything into the body.
Most people are deeply relaxed and/or asleep once all the points are placed, and don’t feel the needles at all. They feel calm and refreshed after treatment. If any needle is uncomfortable the acupuncturist can adjust or remove it.
We are a sliding scale clinic with prices that are comparable to insurance co-pays. We accept HSA and FSA cards and we can write you a receipt that you can submit to your insurance. We do not work directly with insurance companies.
Yes, this is the industry standard in the U.S; all our needles are prepackaged, sterile and used only once.
To be honest, we’re not sure. There have been many attempts at explaining why this happens and why acupuncture works in general. Our sense is, the presence of the needles causes our central nervous system to move into a clear pattern of rest (parasympathetic), allowing for our quickest healing and recovery to take place. Not unlike when we sleep at night.
This may explain why acupuncture is so effective at helping people overcome the many troubles associated with high stress levels – a state we can find ourselves in which is characterized by our nervous systems staying in a “fight or flight mode’ (sympathetic) for extended periods of time.
Remaining in this state for long periods of time can keep us from recovering in an ideal way, leading to nagging injuries, sleeplessness or illness.
We can tell you, helping people get into a sleepy state is one of the most predictable and best effects acupuncture has to offer.
While there are still a lot of unknowns, science has shown the following:
- Dopplar ultrasound shows that acupuncture increases circulation & blood flow in treated areas.
- Thermal imaging shows it decreases inflammation.
- Neuro-imaging studies suggest it calms areas of the brain that register pain and activates those involved in rest and recuperation.
Although the process of acupuncture is yet to be fully understood, the results are clear, and Acupuncture is endorsed by both the NIH and the WHO for multiple conditions. Says Lisa Rohleder who inspired the creation of the People’s Organization of Community Acupuncture: “No matter why someone is seeking treatment, acupuncture seems to produce similar overall benefits: increased energy, reduced stress, lower levels of inflammation, better sleep, improved moods, and often, a general sense of well being and relaxation.”
-Lisa Rhohleder
Building Accessibility:
The back door is accessible, and leads to our business through hallways. There is an accessible bathroom which we share with other businesses on the first floor.
Parking:
Our building (which we share with other businesses) has one accessible parking spot next to the back door. We cannot guarantee it will be available but it tends to sit empty. To get there drive up the ally immediately to the right when facing our business. This takes you to the parking lot in the back of the building.
Prior to Your Visit:
When You Book Your Appointment: note your practitioner’s name. Send us an email at staff@openspaceacupuncture.com with ATTENTION: (practitioner’s name) in caps in the subject line. The practitioner will need to let you in through the back door and so needs to arrange with you when you are coming in. If you take the first appointment of a shift this will make things easiest. In case you don’t get a timely response to your email please call us at 617-627-9700 to arrange.
Getting Started as a New Patient:
Book Your Appointment Here.
Things To Keep In Mind For Your First Treatment:
- Clothes: Wear pants loose enough to roll up to your knees and sleeves loose enough to roll up to your elbows
- Scents: Avoid perfumes/scented products as some of our patients have allergies
- Ear Plugs: We have white noise / meditative background sounds & you are also welcome to bring a headset with your own music, or ear plugs
- Blankets: Please bring a light blanket to drape over yourself if you can
- Communications: We may not be answering phones during active clinic time.
- Please double check our directions and map ahead of time