FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

Topics:

CLINIC Billing FIRST TREATMENT Acupuncture Herbal Medicine Bodywork


Clinic FAQs

Do I need an appointment?

Making an appointment is ideal. You can book here online or call 773-466-9882 to schedule. Walk-ins are accepted for community acupuncture; however, we cannot guarantee we can see you right away.

How long are treatment sessions?

Most treatment sessions take one hour from beginning to end.

Who will be treating me?

You’re able to select your practitioner for any service. All acupuncture treatments are performed by Licensed Acupuncturists, and all bodywork treatments are performed by Licensed Massage Therapists.

What clothing should I wear?

Please dress in comfortable clothing that can easily be rolled up to the elbows and knees.

When should I arrive?

If this is your first time at Five Point, please complete your initial paperwork in advance through our scheduling software JaneApp or arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your appointment time to fill out manually.


Billing FAQs

What is the cost of a consultation?

Our prices vary depending on the service, but there are no “first-time” fees. All initial visits include time for both a consultation and treatment.

Do you have discounts or payment plan options?

Patients can buy packages of 5 for more services for a 10% discount.

We also offer a 'needs based' program. Please inquire with your practitioner or any front desk staff member.

Is insurance accepted?

We are in network with BCBS PPO for Private Acupuncture if your current plan has coverage. Please visit our Insurance page or call 773-466-9882 for more info. Insurance is not accepted for any other services.

Does my FSA or HSA account work for services?

Yes, for all acupuncture and bodywork services. Sometimes, herbs are covered, but we recommend checking with your provider.


First Treatment FAQs

How should I prepare for a first appointment?

If this is your first time at Five Point, please complete your initial paperwork in advance through our scheduling software JaneApp or arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your appointment time to fill out manually.

Be sure to eat a small meal a few hours before your treatment. Our therapies are best received when not overly full or overly hungry. Dress in comfortable clothing that can easily be rolled up to the elbows and knees.

What happens during an Acupuncture treatment?

After getting comfortable, the treatment starts by discussing your chief complaint and health history with the practitioner for 10-15 minutes. Treatment then begins and needles are retained for 30-45 minutes.

What happens during a Bodywork treatment?

Bodywork sessions happen in a private room.

Structural Bodywork and Craniosacral sessions are done over the clothing and may include some passive/active stretching, so be sure to wear comfortable workout-type clothing.

Swedish Massage allows for undressing to your comfort level, with sheets used for draping the body.

What happens after a treatment?

Once the treatment is finished, your practitioner will help set up a short term treatment plan for your particular condition or complaint.

Respect your body for the rest of the day by refraining from rich foods, alcohol, vigorous exercise, or other strenuous activity.

Enjoy the benefits of your treatments including better sleep, calmer moods, and pain relief!


Acupuncture FAQs

What is Community Acupuncture?

It’s Acupuncture - You receive a customized full one-on-one acupuncture treatment with an Acupuncturist.

It’s Affordable - Lower price point increases access and allows for frequent visits

It’s Always Available - Community treatments available 7 days a week, walk-ins welcome

It’s Comfortable - Our community room is an open, relaxing setting with individual reclining zero gravity chairs for each patient.

What is Private Acupuncture?

It’s Acupuncture - You receive a customized and thorough one-on-one acupuncture treatment with an Acupuncturist in a private room.

It’s Advanced - Treatments can include a heat lamp, cupping, moxibustion, e-stimulation, and/or gua sha.

It’s Specific - ideal for more specialized fertility, sports medicine, or orthopedic issues, which often require direct needling of the hips, low back, or other body areas.

It’s Private - Treatments take place in their own private room; it’s magical.

It’s Insured - We offer direct billing for Private Acupuncture through qualified BCBS PPO plans

What are the differences between community acupuncture and private acupuncture?

Community Acupuncture

It’s somewhat Limited - No Cupping or Moxa, and no direct needling of hips, low back, or other body areas that require undressing

It’s not Private - Treatments aren’t fully private, and there can be distractions.

It’s not Insured - Community treatments are not eligible for insurance coverage

Private Acupuncture

It’s less affordable: It costs more than community acupuncture

It’s less available - we have limited private rooms, so fewer appointment slots are available each day than community acupuncture

Does it hurt?

Generally, acupuncture is not painful, but may produce some kind of sensation at the site of needling including pressure, heaviness, warmth, or tingling.

Once all the needles are inserted, you should feel comfortable and relaxed.

Worried about needles?

Acupuncture needles are extremely thin, smaller than a single piece of hair! The experience of acupuncture is nothing like getting a shot or any other interactions you’ve had with needles. Overall it’s a very comfortable and relaxing experience.

Most commonly needles are inserted into muscles on the legs and arms. Depending on your condition and treatment type, needles can also be placed on the torso and face.

Does acupuncture help with…?

The answer is likely yes. Acupuncture is an ancient East Asian technique of inserting fine needles into the body in order to help to improve normal physiology and treat ailments. The needles encourage blood and lymph flow, activate the immune system, and regulate the central nervous system. By simply helping the body work better it encourages the body to heal itself. Please visit the what we treat page for more details.

How many sessions will it take before I feel a difference?

Typically, you will feel deeply relaxed and start to see some results after your first session.

Depending on what you are coming in to treat, it can take 3-12 sessions before you start seeing dramatic results, but your acupuncturists will create a custom treatment plan based on the severity of your symptoms and how long you’ve had them.

Acupuncture is a therapy with cumulative results and should be received with some regularity to keep the body functioning at its best.

How often should I come in?

The idea frequency varies based on your particular condition, but we typically recommend one time per week to start.


Herbal Medicine FAQs

What is Herbal Medicine?

We offer custom made formulations of Chinese herbal medicine rooted in over 2,000 years of clinical usage. It has been proven effective as a treatment for acute, chronic, and advanced illnesses. Read more about our herbal offerings here.

Does Herbal Medicine help with…?

Herbal medicine can be used to treat almost any condition. It is most effective for colds and flus, digestive issues, sleep disorders, anxiety, and most internal medicine conditions.

It is often used as follow-up or maintenance after private acupuncture sessions or on its own as a more cost-effective treatment option.

How long will it take before I feel a difference?

Herbal medicine can often produce an effect quite quickly - though each person and symptoms may vary. Your practitioner will be able to give you the best estimation on when your herbs should enact changes.

Can I take herbs if I am on other medication?

The answer is usually yes, but please let your herbalist know of any medications you are taking.

How do you evaluate the quality of the herbs?

We only use herbs of the highest quality, which are third-party tested for pesticides, heavy metals, and other contaminants.


Bodywork FAQs

What is bodywork?

Bodywork is a type of massage practice that is done through the clothing that employs kneading techniques, myofascial release, pressure and acupressure points, sessions often include passive stretching, or dynamic body positioning.

What types of massage do you offer?

We offer, Swedish massage, Craniosacral, Structural Rehabilitation and Table Shiatsu bodywork. Visit our Bodywork page for more details.

Does bodywork / massage help with…?

The answer is almost always Yes. Because of the changes that happen in the nervous system during a session, the bodies natural healing process is stimulated and helped along.

How many sessions will it take before I feel a difference?

Typically, you will feel deeply relaxed and start to see some results after your first session.

Depending on what you are coming in to treat, it can take 3-4 sessions before you start seeing dramatic results.

How often should I come in?

1-4 times a month is ideal but varies based on the recommendation of your practitioner