Common Questions

Just some of the conditions that I have worked with:

• Digestive disorders
• Anxiety / Depression
• Fatigue
• Chronic pain
• Insomnia
• Weak immunity
• PMS
• Menstrual cramps
• Menopausal symptoms
• Allergies
• Addictions
• Stress management
• Fibromyalgia
• Injury recovery and healing
• Infertility

No, acupuncture should not hurt. A momentary prick is often felt around the needle as it is inserted, eventually creating a dull pressure or tingling around the area during the treatment. Most people are amazed by how relaxed they feel during and after the treatment.

As long as it is performed by a licensed acupuncturist,  acupuncture is extremely safe. Acupuncturists are required to use sterile, disposable needles that are discarded after one use.

Yes. Many people report pain relief after one treatment, but for others it may take some time. The first thing you may notice, however, may not be pain relief.  Rather, you might notice  improved sleep or less anxiety, all of which are important to the overall healing process.

On your first visit, we will discuss the treatment plan that is best for you. For more severe conditions, you may be best served by coming between 2-3 times per week, particularly at the outset of treatment. For health maintenance or more mild conditions, once a week is sometimes often enough. Throughout your treatment, our acupuncturists will track different symptoms or concerns, and determine how you respond to acupuncture. Once your symptoms begin shift or subside, we can work on a plan that is either biweekly, monthly, or seasonal.

It is important to remember that acupuncture builds on itself, thus chronic conditions may take time to improve. And the longer you’ve had an illness or condition, (generally) the longer it takes to heal.

Community Acupuncture is a national movement with the goal of increasing access to acupuncture by offering treatments in a comfortable group setting at an affordable rate, $20-$40, without any income verification. First-time patients pay an additional one-time $10 paperwork fee. By treating this way, our patients can get the care they need without breaking the bank.

Private room acupuncture is one-on-one acupuncture suitable for more complex cases or for those patients who prefer to be treated alone. Moxibustion, e-stim, and chinese medical massage are often incorporated. Contact Hillary directly for more information at hillary@stuartacupuncture.com.

Yes, we are happy to treat children of all ages with parental consent.[/accordion] Common Questions About Our Pricing & Scheduling:

The purpose of our sliding scale is to help you make a commitment to getting better.  The sliding scale makes it possible for you to receive acupuncture regularly and long enough to get better and stay better. You get to decide what payment is affordable for you. Because we have a sliding scale we cannot and will not bill your insurance.

Private acupuncture appointments are not on a sliding scale. Please contact Hillary ata 266-8165 to schedule directly, or email her at hillary@stuartacupuncture.com.  We will provide a superbill to our patients receiving private-room treatment, which can be submitted to your insurance company. However, payment is always due at the time of treatment.

Soap Vault is an online appointment scheduling system that allows you to schedule your appointments on your computer or smartphone. This gives you the ability to make and cancel appointments as needed without having to play phone tag with the office.  Our goal is to make the scheduling process as easy and effortless as possible. If you would like to cancel, you must do this within 24 hours of your appointment. When booking, you have the option of receiving a text, voice message or email reminder about your appointment…or you can choose to receive all three! Private room treatments cannot be booked online.

Stuart Acupuncture is a high-volume clinic, and patients often would like a last minute appointment but find the times they want are already booked. If you skip your visit, forget to show up, or cancel without 24 hours notice, it means another person is likely not getting the treatment they need. Please don’t miss your visit. While first missed visits will not be charged (and we never charge when you have an emergency like a broken car or a sick child), we do require a missed visit fee at all other times. We truly appreciate you respecting this policy–it helps the clinic run smoothly and ensures that everyone can get the treatments they need.

Stuart Acupuncture does not have a receptionist. If you do reach our machine, please leave a message, indicating a few times when you will be available to talk; one of our acupuncturists will get back to you within 24 hours of your call. Alternatively, you can also text  646-320-2793 indicating your name and the best time to call and someone will get back to you.

Some insurance companies will cover acupuncture services. Please contact your insurance company representative to determine if coverage will be provided for your treatments. This way you are completely sure of your coverage. We do not bill insurance companies or take insurance. We provide Superbills for our private-room clients which can be submitted to your insurance company for potential reimburement.

Cash, check (made out to Stuart Acupuncture) or major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express). Payment is due at the time of service and can be placed in the payment box by the entrance.

There is plenty of parking for our building at 7000 SE Federal Highway, so you never have to worry about finding a spot.

Sometimes patients are running late or need to contact us while we are seeing patients and cannot talk on the phone. Or perhaps they’d like to know if there are any last minute openings.  The best way to reach us (although not surefire) is to text directly to 646-320-2793. You can also “drop in” during office hours; we can almost always accommodate walk-ins.

No, we do not provide primary care medicine. Acupuncture is a wonderful complement to Western medicine, but it is not a substitute for it. If you think you have a serious medical problem (for example a malignant growth, serious infection, or an injury that won’t heal), you need to see a medical doctor. Please do not expect our acupuncturists to diagnose a serious medical condition. We can provide complementary care for conditions which may require a physician’s attention (for example, someone undergoing chemotherapy) but we cannot provide a substitute for a physician’s care in those circumstances.

Ideally, you would wear loose fitting pants or shorts. Your shoes and socks will be removed during group treatment, so no special requirements there. Do not drink alcohol or consume illegal drugs before coming in for treatment. Other than that, just prepare to relax!

Absolutely. Many patients like to bring their own music to listen to while getting treated, especially if they are sensitive to sounds. We play soft music in the treatment room as well, and offer ear plugs and eye pillows for those patients who want a truly immersive experience.

We encourage our patients to refrain from wearing perfume during treatment. Some patients are very sensitive to smells, and it is important the the community space be an area where all patients can rest comfortably. We use organic, scent-free detergent for all our towels, pillows and sheets as well.

No. Smart devices cannot be used during treatment unless as a listening device with the back light turned off. The light distracts other patients and will detract from your overall experience. Please turn your phone off and place it in the bin on the side of your chair, or leave your phone in your car (not if it’s hot out, though!)