FAQ
What is Holistic Integrative Medicine?
Holistic Integrative Medicine uses a combination of therapies and lifestyle changes to rebalance, replenish, and restore the whole person, focusing on the root cause. It takes into account your mind, body and soul and uses an evidence-based approach to improve your health, wellness, and all aspects of your lifestyle.
Here at Thriving Wellbeing, we blend Functional Medicine and Chinese Medicine by using healing modalities such as acupuncture, nutrition, meditation, cupping, gua sha, herbs, exercise, and more to prevent, heal, and reverse disease.
“We believe our health is dynamic – continually influenced by how we live our lives and how we relate to the world around us. Healing starts from within.” – Scripps Integrative Health
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine seeks to identify and treat the underlying cause of your condition. It centers on the idea that one condition may have many causes or one cause can have many conditions. It is patient focused, not disease focused, aimed at promoting optimal wellness by addressing the root cause rather than symptoms.
What is Chinese Medicine?
Traditional Chinese Medicine seeks to restore the body’s balance and harmony. It focuses on the belief that qi (the body’s vital energy & biochemistry) flows in the body to keep a person’s spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health in balance.
It is one of the oldest forms of medicine, by thousands of years, that involves the use of herbal supplements, acupuncture, diet, lifestyle recommendations, and other treatments to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease.
What is acupuncture?
The use of acupuncture and Chinese medicine for diagnosis and treatment has been used by millions of people all over the world for thousands of years. The science of acupuncture and Chinese medicine has evolved into a complete and holistic medical system used by millions of people worldwide. An acupuncturist will place fine, sterile needles at specific acupoints on the body, activating the body’s biochemistry (Qi) and promoting natural healing by enhancing recuperative power, immunity, and physical and emotional health. The treatment is safe, painless and effective and can improve a variety of medical problems.
What conditions can be treated by acupuncture?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has determined several conditions may be treated by acupuncture, such as:
- headache/migraine
- upper + lower back pain
- sciatica
- shoulder + knee pain
- osteoarthritis
- tendonitis
- fibromyalgia
- chronic pain (of any kind)
- acute injury (sprains + strains)
- toothache + post-extraction pain
- infertility (men + women)
- IVF/IUI
- oliguria + polyuria
- urinary tract infection/cystitis
- nocturnal enuresis – “bedwetting” (primary + secondary)
- menstrual irregularity (dysmenorrhea + amenorrhea)
- PCOS, endometriosis, fibroids/cysts
- premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- impotence
- low libido
- delayed labor
- pregnancy/morning sickness
- frequent miscarriage
- poor egg quality
- menopause, hot flashes, night sweats
- insomnia
- stress
- anxiety
- hypertension (high blood pressure)
- hypotension (low blood pressure)
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- brain fog
- gingivitis
- pharyngitis
- trigeminal neuralgia
- bell’s palsy
- neuropathy/radiculopathy
- paralysis/post-stroke recovery
- meniere’s disease
- neurogenic bladder dysfunction
- intercostal neuralgia
- carpal tunnel syndrome
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- multiple sclerosis
- parkinson’s disease
- nausea
- vomiting
- hiccough
- indigestion
- gastritis
- diarrhea (acute + chronic)
- constipation
- acid regurgitation
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- colitis
- gastritis
- bacillary dysentery
- duodenal ulcer (pain relief)
- bronchial asthma
- allergies
- acute sinusitis + rhinitis
- common cold
- acute tonsilitis
- acute bronchitis
- substance abuse
- eating disorders
- drug dependence
- smoking
- acute conjunctivitis
- central retinitis
- myopia (in children)
- cataracts (without complications)
How much does it cost?
Rates vary and depend upon what services are performed. You can see the rates for each appointment on our booking site, by clicking “book now” in the upper right hand corner.
If you are interested in additional services such as cupping, gua sha, or Celluma Pro, please talk to your acupuncturist at your appointment. They can recommend what is best for you and let you know the cost prior to providing those services.
Will my insurance cover acupuncture?
We accept most insurances such as United Health, Cigna, Kaiser Permanente, Anthem Blue Cross, and Aetna, American Specialty Health; however insurance coverage varies depending on your specific plan and condition. Please call your insurance and ask which provider is covered under your insurance, ( in network / out-off network) what services, what is your copay, how many visits. In addition, please submit your insurance information prior to booking an appointment using our secure online insurance form under “resources”.
We will have your information verified within 1 to 2 business days and will be ready to submit the claim or give you a superbill after medical examination at your first appointment. However we simplified the process to provide your with the full Holistic Service please read here an overview of potential payment options. https://thrivingwellbeing.com/insurance/
If for some reason we cannot take your insurance, or are out-of-network with your insurance, we can provide you with a Superbill that you can submit to insurance directly.
What methods of payment do you accept?
We accept FSA, HSA, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and cash.
What is your cancellation policy?
Your appointment time is reserved just for you. A late cancellation or missed visit leaves a hole in the acupuncturists’ day that could have been filled by another patient. As such, We require 36 hours notice for cancellations ( 1.5 day meaning the open spot can be visible to other patients a full day prior) . Patients who provide less than 36 hour notice, or miss their appointment, will be charged the full treatment cost. This policy is in place out of respect for everyone’s time and allows the opportunity for other patients to receive treatment
Do not worry, we always send a reminder email and text to confirm your appointment so you can plan accordingly.
Please do your best to arrive on time for your appointment. If you find that you are running late, that is okay – we will get you in. Appointments are only considered canceled and forfeited 20 minutes after the scheduled appointment time, when the next patient needs to be treated.
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture affects every major system of the body, including the cardiac, gastrointestinal, circulatory, cerebral, genitourinary, endocrine and immune systems. Broadly speaking, acupuncture has three primary effects – It relieves pain, reduces inflammation, and restores homeostasis.
It relieves pain by aiding the body in releasing natural painkillers. Acupuncture reduces both the intensity and perception of chronic pain by releasing the body’s natural chemicals such as endorphins, norepinephrine and enkephalin, some of which are 10-200 times more potent than morphine!
It also reduces inflammation by promoting blood flow. Acupuncture creates “micro traumas” that stimulate the body’s ability to spontaneously heal injuries to the tissue through nervous, immune and endocrine system activation.
Acupuncture restores balance to the body and promotes healing by stimulating hormones and biochemistry that switch the autonomic nervous system from the stress response (sympathetic “fight-or-flight”) to the relaxed response (parasympathetic “rest-and-digest” or “calm-and connect”). This allows all organ systems to be in a state of homeostasis/balance, which is how healing occurs.
What can acupuncture do for my fertility
The three most important things when you’re going through preconception care and trying to get pregnant are balancing hormones, regulating the nervous system, and having a support system. Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine have been proven to do just that!
Many of the reasons people (women and men) seek acupuncture are for stress, irregular period, age related fertility issues, high FSH, endometriosis, PCOS, hormone imbalance, recurrent miscarriage, thin uterine lining for implementation, poor blood flow to the reproductive organs, low sperm count or quality, poor egg quality, anovulatory cycles, and more.
What can acupuncture do for my IVF Journey
The three most important things when you’re going through preconception care and trying to get pregnant are balancing hormones, regulating the nervous system, and having a support system- all of which are vital for the success of IVF. Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine have been proven to do just that!
Many of the reasons people (women and men) seek acupuncture are for stress, irregular period, age related fertility issues, high FSH, endometriosis, PCOS, hormone imbalance, recurrent miscarriage, thin uterine lining for implementation, poor blood flow to the reproductive organs, low sperm count or quality, poor egg quality, anovulatory cycles, poor response to the medication, and more.
In a large prospective randomized controlled study, laser acupuncture treatment performed pre-and-post embryo transfer during an IVF cycle resulted in a significant improvement in implantation rates.
Is acupuncture safe?
When performed by a qualified and well-trained practitioner, acupuncture is one of the safest treatment options available today. It is a natural therapy with virtually no negative side effects (although, you may experience positive ones!).
Is acupuncture safe if I am pregnant?
Yes! We are very knowledgeable about proper treatment approaches prior to, during, and after pregnancy. Acupuncture is safe for pregnant women and will even provide many benefits for the health of both the mom and baby.
Is acupuncture safe for children?
Yes. In some instances children actually respond more quickly than adults. If your child has an aversion to needles, your acupuncturist may massage the acupuncture points instead. This is called acupressure or tuina and is just as effective.
If I am already receiving another form of treatment, can I still come in for acupuncture?
Yes, of course! Combining acupuncture with chiropractic, physical therapy, massage therapy or any other related modality definitely has its benefits. You don’t have to choose just one. This is a powerful system of healing that complements “conventional” treatment as well. The two systems of medicine work in very different ways and each has its place. Using both Eastern and Western medicine together is a big step towards true integrative healthcare. As always, please speak with your primary care physician regarding any concerns that you may have.
What should I expect at my appointment?
As part of the initial exam, your acupuncturist will review your health history, ask questions about your symptoms, your lifestyle, check pulses and tongue, and perform a physical examination. There may be some questions that are asked that you may not think are relevant to your chief complaint, however, since Chinese medicine is “whole body” medicine, what you may not think is important, is actually an important part of the “big picture.”
After reviewing your health history, you will receive an acupuncture treatment (even at your first appointment). You will receive acupuncture in a private, comfortable room with dim lighting, a heated massage table, aromatherapy, and meditative music. You will have 30-40 minutes alone to relax while the needles work their magic.
After your treatment, your acupuncturist will remove the needles and provide a comprehensive treatment plan which may include recommended frequency of visits, at-home resources, nutrition and herbal recommendations.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture needles are not at all like hypodermic needles. They are very fine (25-50x’s thinner than hypodermic needles used for drawing blood and vaccination) and they are often described as being not much thicker than a human hair. The needles are also very sharp, which is what contributes to the needle insertion being usually completely painless (although occasionally you do feel something).
Typically, you may feel a brief (and mild), ache, heaviness, ’tingling sensation’, numbness or warmth at the needle site at first. This is considered the “Acupuncture” sensation and is totally normal and ideal.
By and large, patients describe these initial sensations as fleeting and the long term sensations as deeply relaxing. After insertion, most patients just relax and often fall asleep for the remainder of the session and report a sense of renewal and ease at the conclusion of the treatment.
How many treatments will I need?
The truth is, it depends on the condition. Each individual case is unique and courses of treatment will vary. Traditional Chinese Medicine is a very powerful system of healing which creates cumulative health benefits that are observed over a course of time/treatments. While it is very common to see immediate improvements, it is essential to allow the body proper time to heal. Sometimes, a patient’s symptoms may slightly increase in intensity or duration initially, however, this is a short-lived phenomenon, it is not common and will subside as improvements become evident. Cumulative and significant signs of progress will likely appear after each treatment.
Acute conditions often have recent or sudden onsets and can involve severe pain or intense symptoms. The treatment course for acute symptoms usually lasts 2 to 8 treatments. Initially, these treatments may need to be as frequent as 2x’s per week for the most desirable results.
Chronic conditions often persist for a long period of time or are constantly recurring. These symptoms are rooted within a mildly to seriously compromised constitution. The treatment course for chronic illness generally involves treatments 1x per week for three months (or more, depending). Herbal medicine and/or supplements are also taken for a longer period of time as well.
Maintenance treatments are provided to help prevent disease from manifesting. Once you complete a course of treatment, it is still beneficial to come in for occasional maintenance visits.
While many conditions and symptoms do not return once treatment has ended, others are more stubborn, or may reoccur after periods of unusual stress. Receiving treatment at this time can quickly put the body back on track towards optimal health before allowing the condition to return. Many patients also return when he/she is feeling “under the weather,” run-down, or need an “energy boost.”
How should I prepare for my treatment?
Make sure to eat a light meal or snack an hour or two before your appointment (don’t come in on an empty stomach or overly full). Refrain from overexertion, drugs, and alcohol at least 6 hours prior to your treatment. Make sure to show up on time, wearing loose comfortable clothes. Please let us know if you are pregnant (or think you might be), have a pacemaker, or are taking any blood thinners.
I've arrived early, what do I do?
For warmer weather, we have an outdoor waiting area on our balcony with cute yellow chairs and an ocean view to start your zen experience. For colder days, we have chairs available in a cozy hallway, through the door to the right at the top of the stairs. When it is your time to be treated your acupuncturist will come out and get you. You do not need to check in to notify them you have arrived.
I can't find a sitter, can I bring my child/children to my appointment?
Yes – We have extra chairs bring toys or your ipad, we have headphones available so they can relax while you are being treated
Where are you located?
We are located at 1011 Camino Del Mar, Suite 240, Del Mar, CA 92014. Our suite is on the second floor, directly across from the top of the stairs above the Chinese Restaurant, next to the bridal shop. You’ll see our cute yellow chairs and table just outside our door on the balcony overlooking the ocean.
How can I get the most out of my treatments?
Commit to a full course of treatment – Acupuncture has a cumulative effect and in order to get better and stay better, it’s important to be consistent. This consistency includes the entirety of your treatment plan, both at home and at your appointments such as acupuncture, nutrition, herbal supplements, exercise, meditation, etc. Make sure to ask your acupuncturist questions at your appointment, we are here to help!
Why do you prescribe herbal medicine? Are herbs safe?
Herbs can be a powerful adjunct to acupuncture care. They focus on restoring balance by nourishing the body to treat a particular disease or medical condition. Herbs are generally gentle and natural and can take a few days or even weeks to demonstrate their full effect.
When herbs are prescribed by a well-trained and well-educated practitioner, Chinese herbs are very effective and safe. Careful attention is always paid to dosage, combination of herbs, as well as any known drug-herb interactions.
