Your First Visit
at Bellingham Community Acupuncture
What To Expect
When Scheduling
Booking
Please select "Acupuncture - First Time" when scheduling online. Although a payment method is required, you will not be charged at this time.
Payment
Arriving
Please come 15 min early for initial intake paperwork and to get oriented to the clinic. Set aside about one hour for your appointment. See our Location page for info on parking.
Get Comfortable
This is not a private room treatment. You will be in a room with others. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing that roll up to your knees and elbows.
Insurance
Insurance is not accepted. We accept cash, check or card, including HSA's. We can provide superbills for you to submit to your insurance for reimbursement as well.
Cancellations / No-Shows
The card you provide when scheduling online is only charged for Last-Minute Cancellations and No-Shows. It does not pay for your appointment.
Appointment Options
When you click “Book Appointment,” you’ll be securely directed to our online scheduling system.
Acupuncture - First Time
New Patient appointments are $55.
Please come 10-15 min early for your first time, and plan on 45-60 minutes for the appointment.
There is a $35 Cancellation Fee for appointments canceled less than 24 hours in advance.
From $55
20 minutes
Acupuncture - Return Visit
These appointments are for Returning Patients only.
There is a $35 Cancellation Fee for appointments canceled less than 24 hrs in advance.
From $35 sliding scale
60 minutes.
Nervous System Reset - Ears Only
A simplified, commonly used acupuncture treatment, called 5NP (five needle protocol), where small needles are placed in the ears to help regulate the nervous system, reduce stress, and support the body’s natural healing response.
The treatment will be given by whichever acupuncturist is working that shift.
Treatments $20 and last 30 minutes. Ears only.
FAQ
Q: Does acupuncture hurt?
A: You'll either feel nothing at all, or a tiny prick. We can fit at least 10 acupuncture needles inside of one that takes your blood. They're really thin and bendable little pins.
Q: Why did you put that needle there?
Good question!
Ever wondered why an acupuncture needle is placed in a particular spot? Acupuncture points are carefully selected based on your symptoms, overall health, and individual needs. A needle placed away from the area that hurts may still be connected to the body’s pathways and can be used to support balance, relaxation, and the body’s natural healing response.
Your treatment is personalized to you—and every needle has a purpose.
Q: How many treatments will it take?
A: A common dose of acupuncture is 5 treatments over the course of 3 weeks to see if it's helping you. If it is, you continue for another 3 weeks to see how far we can progress. After that, many people come as needed, or semi-regularly to maintenance their issues. Sometimes results are really fast, and sometimes it can take awhile. It depends on how complicated your issues are and how long they've been around.
Q: Can I combine acupuncture with massage, chiropractic, physical therapy, or other modalities?
A: Absolutely. Not only will acupuncture not conflict with what you're doing, other modalities combined with acupuncture may speed up your healing.
Q: How long is an appointment?
It's good to set aside at least one hour for your initial appointment and 30-60min for follow-ups.
Q: So, how can you make it so affordable?
A: You'll be in a large room with other people. By treating multiple people in a given hour, we're able to lower the cost for you. We'll still have the privacy to talk, and you won't be disrobing in front of strangers. In fact, you won't be disrobing at all. Many people come to prefer relaxing in a room with others. You'll likely be in a recliner, or possibly on a massage table. We don't necessarily have to do acupuncture on your low back to treat your low back pain. There are acupuncture points that correlate to different parts of your body and we can treat specific conditions in any position.
Q: Do I have to believe in acupuncture for it to work?
A: Not at all. We're pretty sure that horses and dogs don't believe in it when they get acupuncture. They just stop limping if it works. Acupuncture on non-human animals has been happening for a long long time. And, we have patients all the time that start out skeptical.
Q: Is it safe? What do you do with those needles after you use them?
A: We use sterile, one-time use needles made of surgical steel. They are safely disposed of after each use. Once in awhile we see a non-painful bruise after acupuncture. That's about it.
MORE INFO on acupuncture
You can also learn about our clinic with this article in Bellingham Alive! magazine -
"Acupuncture for the People" By Laura Boynton
