FOR PATIENTS
New Patients
Welcome to Acupuncture for Balanced Wellness
We're glad you're considering acupuncture with us. Whether this is your first experience with acupuncture or you've received treatment before, our goal is to make your visit comfortable, informative, and personalized to your individual needs.
Our experienced, licensed acupuncturists have been providing acupuncture in Chicago's Loop since 2008, helping patients with pain, stress, fertility and women's health, digestive concerns, and a wide range of other health and wellness goals.
Here's what you need to know before your first visit.
Scheduling Your First Acupuncture Appointment
We offer appointments at our downtown Chicago acupuncture clinic Monday through Saturday.
The easiest way to schedule is through our online booking system. You may also call our office at 312-890-5553. If we're unable to answer, please leave a message and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
For questions before scheduling, you're also welcome to contact our office.
What to Expect at Your First Acupuncture Visit
Your first appointment gives us an opportunity to learn about you—not just the symptom that brought you in.
Your acupuncturist will talk with you about your primary concerns, health history, symptoms, lifestyle, and treatment goals. Depending on your reason for seeking care, your visit may also include relevant physical assessments along with traditional Chinese medicine evaluation, such as examining your tongue and pulse.
Using this information, your acupuncturist will develop an individualized treatment plan based on your needs.
Most importantly, you will receive an acupuncture treatment during your first appointment.
Your treatment may also incorporate complementary techniques when appropriate, including:
- Electroacupuncture
- Cupping
- Gua sha
- Bodywork
- Heat therapy
- Herbal, nutritional, or lifestyle recommendations
Please plan to spend approximately one hour with us for your first visit.
Preparing for Your Appointment
We recommend eating a light meal or snack before your acupuncture treatment rather than arriving on an empty stomach.
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing if possible. Don't worry if your clothing doesn't allow easy access to the areas we need to treat—we can provide appropriate draping or clothing for you to change into when necessary.
There's no need to do anything special before your treatment. Come as you are and feel free to ask your acupuncturist any questions you have along the way.
New Patient Forms
After scheduling online, you'll receive an email with a link to complete your new patient forms electronically. Completing these before your appointment allows your acupuncturist to review your health history and helps us make the most of your visit.
If you're unable to complete the forms ahead of time, please arrive approximately 15 minutes early so you'll have time to complete the necessary paperwork before your appointment.
You may also download and complete a printable version of our new patient forms, fill them out, bring them with you, or email them back to us.
Insurance & Payment
We work with many major insurance plans that include acupuncture benefits and also offer affordable self-pay options for patients without acupuncture coverage.
Because insurance benefits vary by plan, we recommend checking your acupuncture benefits before your first appointment. Our office can help you understand your coverage and available payment options.
Cancellation Policy
We understand that plans can change. If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please provide at least 24 hours' notice whenever possible.
Appointments canceled with less than 24 hours' notice, as well as missed appointments, are subject to a $40 late cancellation/no-show fee.
We understand that true emergencies and unexpected circumstances can occur. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis at our discretion.
Thank you for respecting the time reserved specifically for your care and helping us make appointment times available to other patients.
Questions Before Your First Visit?
It's completely normal to have questions before trying acupuncture for the first time.
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more about acupuncture, how it works, what it feels like, treatment frequency, safety, Qi, and other common questions.
Ready to Get Started?
We look forward to welcoming you to our Chicago acupuncture clinic and helping you take the next step toward feeling and functioning your best.