Frequently Asked Questions
What is Community Acupuncture?
Community Acupuncture is an innovative practice of treating people with acupuncture together in one large space in individual reclining comfortable chairs. The benefits of being part of the “community” are:
- Convenience: you don’t have to wait for an individual appointment. There is convenient access and more options of when it fits your schedule.
- Affordable: having acupuncture in a group with others gives the opportunity for the cost to be lower for all.
- Connect with family and friends: Community acupuncture offers the benefit of coordinating a time to attend a session with family and friends—which many find comforting.
- Energy: Bringing individuals together provides a powerful energy and support system.
- Back to the Basics: Bringing people together in a group brings the practice back to its roots which is how acupuncture is traditionally practiced in many Asian countries.
How does acupuncture work?
In Chinese medicine theory:
- Acupuncture works by balancing the body’s energy (Qi). Qi can be described as a form of bioenergy that runs along the body’s pathways (meridians). If the energy gets blocked, it shows up as an imbalance or illness. Basically, if you have a health condition, some part of your body’s system is out of balance. The principles of Chinese medicine allows us to diagnose the imbalance… and balance it through acupuncture.
In Western (including the United States) medicine theory:
- Acupuncture works by stimulating your body’s system. This releases chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These biochemical changes may stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and promote physical healing and emotional well-being. The exact mechanisms which bring this about are unknown, but the effects have been measurable to many
How does Community Acupuncture work?
Loose Leaves acupuncture healing space, conveniently located in north Bismarck, has a large room with comfortable reclining chairs. Because you will be experiencing acupuncture along with other people:
- You will remain fully clothed.
- Acupuncture needles will only be used in places on your body with easy access.
- To make your time relaxing, our space is quiet to create a healing environment.
- Once the treatment begins you can judge how long your are comfortable 20-50 minutes
- You can pay as little or as much as you are comfortable paying
How long does a treatment usually last?
When people are new to acupuncture, they aren’t sure how long they should stay to rest/relax with the acupuncture needles inserted.
Every person and their conditions are unique but following are some general guidelines:
- Generally recommend at least 30 minutes for the treatment to take effect. Length of treatment can vary up to 50 or even 80 minutes.
- Resting with the needles in longer doesn’t necessarily mean the treatment will be more beneficial.
- However, if you are in a restful state, feel free to stay as long as you like. The body heals best when it is resting.
- If your mind is wandering and you are having trouble resting, the best thing to do is to listen to your body and finish the treatment.
- You can inform the practitioner when you are ready to have the needles removed.
- Feel free to bring ear buds, music, meditation to aid in your healing experience.
- If you appear to be sleeping, our practice is to give you the chance to rest.
- A series of treatments is recommended for best results.
What packages are available?
- Follow up acupuncture/ craniosacaral sessions 5 for $299
- Ear addiction treatment (for example to stop smoking or for weight loss) 10 sessions $199
(ask about a 6 week unlimited option)
- Basic stress treatments or Ionic foot detox sessions 5 for $99
These are available for purchase online at schedulicity.com
Sessions are also available at $40/ session for any reason - no proof of income or insurance necessary
Do acupuncture needles hurt?
Acupuncture needs are very thin, so insertion usually causes little to no discomfort. Many often don’t feel them inserted at all.
What if I’m afraid of needles?
The fear of needles is not uncommon. Most of the population have only experienced hypodermic needles through injections and blood draws—which can sometimes be uncomfortable experiences. The feeling from an inserted acupuncture needle doesn’t even compare to the feeling of a needle from a shot or an injection.
Is acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is widely considered a safe form of treatment when performed by a licensed and trained acupuncturist. Loose Leaves practitioner, Elicia Faul Lac license number 2017-03 She has been practicing acupuncture in North Dakota for over fifteen years.
Acupuncture needles used during the Community Acupuncture sessions at Loose Leaves are pre-sterilized, individually packaged and disposable. Needles are disposed of as medical waste immediately after use.
One of the advantages of acupuncture is that is has typically no side effects. Occasional side effects could include minor bruising, temporary bruising or minor bleeding where the needle was inserted.
How often do I need to come in for treatment?
The frequency of your treatment depends on your individual needs. One of the benefits that Loose Leaves offers is packages and online scheduling that allows flexibility for you and your unique needs. Many conditions respond faster to frequent acupuncture treatments (such as 2-3 times a week), while others only need to come in once a week. Once your condition is stabilized or improving, you won’t need to come in as frequently. Your practitioner will work with your unique needs to guide you on frequency and next steps and to answer any questions you may have. A series of treatments is typically recommended for best results and the package options make this easy and affordable.
Is there an option for individual acupuncture sessions if I don’t want to be in a group?
Yes. Contact us about the available options and associated costs of individual sessions.
See the Contact Me section of our website for many convenient ways to connect with Elicia.
Can I coordinate my own private group for a Community Acupuncture session?
Yes. Contact us about the available options and associated costs of coordinating a group of friends and family to experience acupuncture at the same time.
See the Contact Me section of our website for many convenient ways to connect with Elicia.
What is Reiki?
Reiki literally translates rei " soul, spirit" ki "vital energy" aka chi or qi. This ancient practice is a Japanese form of energy work that cleanses and balances the energy system in the body. As a result, the body's natural self-healing mechanisms strengthen, helping to establish optimum health. During a session, work is done directly with your energy field to remove blockages, detoxify your system, and restore your vital life force energy. Reiki utilizes a gentle laying on of hands or off the body movement (like qi gong) to conduct the necessary energy force between us. The benefits of Reiki range from the release of habitual mental/emotional stress to alleviating chronic pain.
Thankfully, reiki is the first modality I used as a healer. It taught me to use universal chi energy, not "my" energy and has helped protect me from burn out and fatigue.
Reiki goes together beautifully with community acupuncture.
What is Craniosacral?
CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system - comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. Using a soft touch generally no greater than 5 grams, or about the weight of a nickel, practitioners release restrictions in the craniosacral system, which has been shown to improve the functioning of the central nervous system, as well as many other systems of the body, such as digestive, musculoskeletal, respiratory, circulatory, and more. CST has also been shown to help with the physical components related to such somatic conditions as Post Traumatic Stress, depression and anxiety.
By facilitating the body's natural and innate healing processes, CST is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease, and has been shown to be beneficial for people seeking help with a wide range of healthcare challenges and symptoms.
How can my condition be kept private in a community acupuncture environment?
- Because clients are treated in community setting - a healing experience in itself- it is important that we all make an effort to respect one another's privacy and healing experience.
- We encourage:
- Cell phones be set to silent at all times during treatment in the community setting
- Keep voices to a whisper to encourage a healing atmosphere
- Refrain from speaking about anything seen or heard in treatment to anyone else.
Understand you can choose not to mention any sensitive health information in the group treatment room. Your initial health intake form and consultation with the practitioner, chinese medicine based pulse and tongue reading are sufficient. Your health records are strictly confidential.
What if I cannot afford the sessions?
The mission of Loose Leaves is to provide care regardless of insurance or ability to pay. Pay what you are comfortable. If you need to lean into the community do so, and when you are able to give back do so. This is called "gift economy" There are also ways to give back beyond monetary money exchange- volunteer opportunities may be available and of course your word- of- mouth marketing and reviews are a great help.
What if I would like to monetarily support this work?
Go to "be a supporter" and check out the patreon page for supporting or for one- time donations.
Thank you for considering this and your generosity.
What if I just want to keep in touch?
Please send a message through the contact me or email looseleaves.ef@gmail.com Subject line "Subscribe" and I will add you to the email list. I send out reminders, helpful information about once a month and of course you can unsubscribe at any time.