FAQ
Q. How long Do appointments last?
A. The initial intake appointment will last approximately 2 hours. Subsequent appointments are roughly 50-60 minutes.
Q. How much does treatment cost?
A. For payment at time of service, the initial appointment (intake + treatment) is $185 and subsequent appointments are $100. If cost is a limiting factor for you, I recommend Common Ground Healing Arts for sliding scale treatment with some terrific acupuncturists.
Q. What Forms of payment do you take?
A. I accept insurance, cash, check, credit card, Venmo, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Health Savings Account (HSA), Health Reimbursement Account (HRA), and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) cards.
Q. Do you take insurance?
A. Yes, I bill insurance, including UVA’s employee and student plans. I am currently in-network with Aetna, United Healthcare, Optum and the VA. If you have an HSA or FSA as part of your insurance plan, you may also use that towards acupuncture treatment. Many HRAs also cover acupuncture treatment. If you have acupuncture benefits as part of your insurance plan, please let me know when you book your first appointment so we can verify benefits and clarify costs before you begin.
Q. Where can I park?
A. There is parking in the lot behind the office. Please park in numbered spaces 1 and 2, as these are reserved for my patients (and other spots are reserved for other businesses!). From the parking lot you can enter the building through the rear door.
Q. What if i need to cancel or change my appointment?
A. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please be in touch as soon as possible so I can open up your time slot for another patient. I ask that you get in touch at least 48 hours in advance of your appointment for this purpose. Any appointments canceled within that 48-hour window will be charged the full amount of the scheduled appointment. If there is a personal emergency, illness, or inclement weather, cancellation with less notice is fine. To cancel, please use the link in your confirmation text/email or call, text or email me: 434-260-0603; connect@jamiepaxton.com
Q. How many treatments will i need to feel better?
A. Each case is individual and we’ll have a better estimate after your first appointment. In general new patients should expect to come for weekly treatments for 6-10 weeks, at which point we’ll re-assess. Typically patients begin to notice some improvement after a few treatments. Long-standing and chronic conditions generally take longer to improve, while acute conditions can often resolve more quickly. The effect of treatment is cumulative, so we usually begin with weekly treatment and then space appointments out as you start to experience more lasting improvement.
Q. Does acupuncture hurt?
A. Typically, you might feel a little pinch or pin prick as the needle enters the skin, followed by a dull ache, tingling, sensation of heat or electricity, or some other sensation as the needle connects with the acupuncture point. Generally these sensations last no more than a few seconds. Most patients find the experience to be relaxing overall, and sometimes even fall asleep.
Q. i’m afraid of needles. what can i do?
A. This is incredibly common. It may help to know that acupuncture needles are quite different from the needles you are used to from the doctor’s office. Acupuncture needles are very thin, flexible, and the thickness of just a few human hairs. Nevertheless, discomfort with needles is a concern for a lot of patients, and needle phobia is an issue for some. There are multiple ways we can work with this: we can use the thinnest needles available, which are often easier to tolerate; we can limit the number of needles that we use to just a few; we can skip needles altogether and use moxibustion, acupressure and acu-magnets to stimulate points and achieve results; we can focus on herbal treatment. If this is a concern, let me know and we can discuss treatment choices that feel safe and comfortable for you.
Q. I’m not sure if chinese medicine is right for me - can I ask you more questions?
A. Yes! I offer virtual no-cost 20 minute consultations for exactly this purpose. Please get in touch to schedule a consultation.
Q. How do I book an appointment?
A. You can schedule an appointment online or, if you prefer, reach me by phone/text (434-260-0603) or email (connect@jamiepaxton.com). I respond to calls, texts, and emails Monday-Friday during business hours. Online booking is available 24/7.