Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re new to acupuncture – especially this particular Japanese type in which the needle often isn’t inserted – you probably have some questions.
I want you to understand what I’m doing, why I’m doing it, and what we look for as treatment progresses. Below are answers to some of the questions I hear most often.
If you’re still unsure whether this approach is a good fit for you, I offer a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation. You’re welcome to call the office at 732-398-5171 and talk with me before deciding whether to make an appointment.
Understanding Shakuju Therapy
What is Shakuju Therapy?
Shakuju Therapy is a particularly gentle yet deep-acting form of Japanese acupuncture developed by Dr. Shoji Kobayashi.
Treatment involves very light stimulation with a single acupuncture needle – without inserting the needle into the skin.
But gentleness is only part of what makes Shakuju different.
The treatment is highly responsive. Through careful palpation, I identify areas of tension and tenderness that serve as reference points during treatment. I repeatedly return to these areas to see how your body is responding, and what I find helps determine what I do next.
Rather than following a predetermined treatment based solely on your diagnosis, the treatment develops in response to the person in front of me.
Shakuju Therapy also has a deeper traditional framework involving the concepts of Vital Force and Fundamental Cold. If you’re interested in understanding the method, its origins, and why I practice it, you can read more here.
Is Shakuju Therapy acupressure?
No. Acupressure is a massage technique using finger pressure to stimulate particular areas of the body.
Shakuju Therapy is a form of acupuncture that uses acupuncture needles. It must be performed by a licensed acupuncturist. The difference is in how the needle is used. The needle does not have to be inserted into the skin to achieve a therapeutic effect.
Acupuncture medicine includes many traditions and techniques. The image you may have of acupuncture – multiple needles inserted and left in place for a time – is only one way to practice acupuncture.
Shakuju Therapy uses a different type of needle, and uses it differently.
How can acupuncture work if you don’t insert the needle?
Our bodies operate on a very basic signal system. This system is not our blood circulation, lymphatic drainage, nerve conduction, or hormones. It is more fundamental than any of these systems, and influences them all. It is what the ancients identified as Qi. Acupuncture works by adjusting these signals, or Qi.
Our fascia conducts these signals throughout the body. Fascia is the network of connective tissue that wraps, permeates, and integrates all the muscles, organs, glands, and body structures. Skin contains fascia. You don’t need to insert a needle into the skin at all to achieve a therapeutic effect. You only need to make contact with it. This is how Shakuju Therapy works. By using a well-placed needle on the skin surface with intention, we can effect profound physiological change.
Dr. Kobayashi taught that the more shallow the needle, the more systemic its effect. Once a needle is inserted, its effect becomes more narrow and localized. It’s even possible to insert too far and miss the therapeutic sweet spot! Contact surface needling is the best way to gather your vitality and mobilize it to rebalance you body.
Do I have to believe in acupuncture for it to work?
Not at all.
You don’t have to believe in acupuncture, Qi, Vital Force, or Shakuju theory to receive the benefit of treatment.
I welcome your questions, doubts, and critical thinking.
What I ask for is curiosity – enough openness to experience the treatment and observe what happens.
As treatment progresses, we will look for changes we can recognize.
Are you sleeping better?
Has your pain decreased?
Are migraines occurring less frequently?
Is your digestion more comfortable and predictable?
Is your energy steadier?
Are you recovering more quickly from exertion?
Are you becoming able to do something that had become difficult?
You don’t have to believe… We can pay attention to what happens.
Does acupuncture hurt?
The Shakuju Therapy method of acupuncture I practice is exceptionally gentle.
I use an acupuncture needle with a rounded point, and typically that needle is not inserted into the skin at all.
People who arrive nervous about needles are often pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the treatment is.
During treatment, you may notice your muscles relaxing, your breathing becoming deeper, or a general sense of relaxation or well-being. Some people feel more energized afterward. Everyone responds somewhat differently.
If you’re concerned about needles or have had an uncomfortable acupuncture experience in the past, please tell me. Your comfort is important, and I can adjust treatment accordingly.
Is acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is generally considered very safe when performed appropriately by a qualified practitioner.
Shakuju Therapy is particularly gentle, and the majority of the treatment I perform features no needle insertion.
During your initial consultation, we’ll discuss your medical conditions, medications, pregnancy, previous surgery, implanted medical devices, current medical treatment, and anything else that may affect how I approach your care.
These circumstances don’t necessarily prevent treatment, but they may change how I treat you. If you’re unsure whether something in your medical history is relevant, please tell me.
Your Treatment
What can I expect during treatment?
Your first appointment is a longer visit. We start off with a thorough review of your health history and the symptoms you experience. I begin to get to know you as a person. Please download and fill out your paperwork completely; even minor details may be clinically significant.
Treatment itself is entirely one-on-one. You get my full, undivided attention for the duration of the session. It is a very palpatory (hands on) procedure. I feel for tight or painful areas before we start. I then re-check them periodically to gauge your body’s response. You become an active participant in your own healing process, because you feel the changes happening too. My patients often feel deeply relaxed, and yet energized after a treatment.
We conclude by planning out your course of treatment. We may also have a little discussion – some people are interested in learning ways they can support their healing process in daily life. Homework, anyone?
Do I have to undress for treatment?
No, you remain clothed.
Please wear loose, comfortable clothing that is easy to adjust.
Your belly and back are important areas for evaluation and treatment, and I may also need access to your neck, arms and legs, and areas related to your particular concern.
Your privacy and comfort are important. Please tell me if you are uncomfortable or have a concern.
How should I prepare for my first treatment?
A few simple things can make your first visit more comfortable.
Please:
- Complete your new patient paperwork prior to your arrival and bring it with you.
- Allow enough travel time so you don’t have to rush to get here.
- Eat something with protein about an hour before, so you don’t arrive on a completely empty stomach.
- Avoid coffee for at least an hour before your appointment.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing that can be easily adjusted.
Your first appointment lasts approximately 60-75 minutes and includes both your consultation and your first treatment.
New patient paperwork can be found on the First Visit page.
What should I do after a treatment?
Especially after your first visit, I recommend giving your body some room to respond and integrate the treatment.
Avoid strenuous exercise or unusually heavy physical exertion for the remainder of the day. Otherwise, you can generally go about your normal activities.
Some people feel deeply relaxed after treatment, while others feel more energized. You may notice changes in pain, sleep, digestion, tension, energy, or other symptoms. Pay attention to how you feel afterward and over the following days.
Occasionally, someone may experience a temporary aggravation of symptoms after their first treatment. If concerned, please contact me. If you experience symptoms that may represent a medical emergency, seek appropriate emergency medical care rather than waiting to speak to me.
Can I continue taking my medications?
Continue taking medications as prescribed by your physician or other prescribing healthcare professional.
I do not recommend stopping or changing prescribed medication on your own. Questions about changing a medication or dosage should be discussed with the clinician who prescribed it.
Please let me know what medications and supplements you are taking, as this information is part of understanding your overall health.
Results and Continuing Care
How will we know if treatment is working?
This is one of the most important questions of all.
I observe changes during treatment: breathing, muscular tension, tenderness, and other forms of response – but ultimately, treatment has to matter in your life.
We look at both what is happening less, and what is happening more.
Perhaps pain is less frequent or less intense.
You wake fewer times during the night.
Your migraines occur less often.
Digestive episodes become lass frequent or more predictable.
You experience fewer crashes after activity.
We also look at what becomes possible.
Can you exercise more comfortably?
Do you have more energy after work?
Can you make plans without worrying so much about how you’ll feel?
Do you recover from stress or activity more easily?
Have you returned to something you had gradually stopped doing?
Progress isn’t only measured by what has gone away. It’s also measured by what has become possible again.
These are the kinds of meaningful changes we look for to determine if treatment is effective.
How many treatments will I need?
This is different for everybody, and depends on many factors. Generally speaking, the longer a condition has existed, the more treatment is required to address it. Treatment has a cumulative effect, and this takes time to build up.
Imagine your body as a house after it’s caught fire. The more damage that has been done, the longer it will take to rebuild the house.
How often will I need treatment?
This also varies from person to person depending on your individual circumstances. For most cases, I recommend once a week. This gives your body time to absorb the treatment and reset itself. Some situations, like acute conditions or physical trauma, may require more frequent treatment.
Notice how you feel after a treatment. Did any changes happen? How long did they last? We will discuss this at your next visit, and determine the best frequency of treatment for you.
Practical Questions
How much does treatment cost?
Your first visit is $235 and lasts approximately 60-75 minutes. It includes your consultation, examination, and first treatment.
Follow up visits are $125.
Payment is due at the time of service.
I accept all major credit cards, cash, checks, and HSA and FSA cards.
Will insurance cover the cost of treatment?
Insurance coverage for acupuncture varies considerably by plan.
I am an out-of-network provider and do not bill insurance directly.
If your plan includes out-of-network benefits, I can provide you with a superbill that you may submit to your insurance carrier for possible reimbursement.
Reimbursement is determined by your insurance company and your individual policy. I do not submit claims or assist with claim resolution.
Medicare will not cover acupuncture treatment at this clinic.
HSA and FSA cards may be used to pay for treatment.
What is your cancellation policy?
I reserve your appointment time specifically for you.
If you need to cancel or reschedule, please provide at least 24 hours notice.
Patients are responsible for the full appointment fee for missed appointments and non-emergency cancellations made with less than 24 hours notice.
I understand that genuine emergencies happen, and those circumstances will be considered accordingly.
What if I’m not sure whether this is right for me?
You don’t have to make an appointment just to find out.
I offer a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation for prospective patients who have questions or aren’t sure whether this approach is right for them.
This is an opportunity for you to briefly tell me what’s going on, ask questions about treatment, and determine whether scheduling a first visit makes sense.
This call does not obligate you to begin treatment.
Please call 732-398-5171 to schedule your free 15-minute phone consultation.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Please call the office to schedule your first appointment.
If you’d like to speak to me before deciding, you can also request a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation.
Call 732-398-5171 to schedule your first appointment.
What should I do in a medical emergancy?
Do not call the office for a true medical emergency.
If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek appropriate emergency medical care immediately.
Acupuncture is not a substitute for emergency medical treatment.