Virtual Visits — Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture

Like other treatments, your regular acupuncture sessions have probably been cancelled for the time being. This can be really frustrating, especially since cumulative and regular visits lead to the best results when you’re working towards a specific goal. On top of this, most of us could definitely use regular treatments given the extra stress and anxiety associated with these challenging times. 

Luckily, there are so many ways your acupuncturist can support you right now - both keeping you on track towards your reproductive health goals, and also supporting your mental and physical health. It’s normal to experience heightened symptoms given current circumstances. Even if you’ve never worked with a Chinese medicine practitioner before, it could be helpful to set up a virtual appointment.

Courtney walked us through the specific ways your practitioner can support you right now:

Update your current treatment plan and help you set new goals 

This will include chatting about what’s going on with you during this time, answering any questions you might have, prescribing herbal formulas and/or supplements tailored to your current needs and symptoms, and offering recommendations on diet, lifestyle, etc.

**If you’re a new patient, you’ll start at the beginning - filling out an extensive intake form that will inform the practitioner about you, your mental, physical and emotional health and goals. This will lead to a more extensive session than your subsequent follow up check-ins.  

Support you at home 

This can include a variety of tools - ranging from acupressure, key supplements, herbs, moxa, customized nutrition plans, and lifestyle changes that are safe and appropriate to where you’re at - whether you’re trying to conceive, pregnant, postpartum, or experiencing loss.

Whether you’re new to Chinese medicine or have been seeing someone for years, here’s a quick summary of how your practitioner can help you at each stage from when you’re trying to get pregnant through postpartum:

Fertility (for more information, see Preconception: Acupuncture)

Introduce you to effective at-home methods that help you make progress toward your fertility goals

Provide you with acupressure points, breathwork and meditation techniques, and suggest herbs and/or supplements that mitigate stress, improve sleep, help regulate your cycle and ovulation, and/or reduce menstrual pain

Recommend tailored dietary suggestions to enhance your fertility

For those continuing with IUI or IVF procedures, offer acupressure points to do before and after your procedure

Pregnancy (for more information, see Pregnancy: Acupuncture)

Provide you with essential tools to stay in the present moment, reduce stress, and build confidence around your pregnancy

Teach you acupressure points to lessen nausea, optimize digestion, reduce stress, increase energy, and improve mood

Recommend tailored dietary suggestions to maintain a healthy pregnancy

Provide you with acupressure points that specifically help with labor

Specific to postpartum (for more information, see Postpartum: Acupuncture)

Recommend tailored dietary suggestions to restore health and vitality 

Recommend herbs and foods that assist with improving milk supply, energy, and stress

Teach you acupressure points that are helpful with lactation, sleep, pain, and stress

What a follow up might look like after your consultation: 

Your practitioner will most likely send an email summary about the session, reminders of your “homework” until your next session, provide you with suggested complementary materials to your circumstance including useful videos, books, studies, etc

S/he will also likely offer communication by email and text between sessions if any questions come up

How to make the most of a virtual Chinese medicine consult:

Set aside a few minutes before and after your session with your practitioner to feel grounded and focused

Take personal notes throughout the days or week prior to your appointment about: 

How you are feeling physically, mentally, and emotionally 

Note any changes in sleep, stress, digestion or menstruation (for fertility patients), or milk production (for those who are breastfeeding)

Think about what you would most like to work on with your practitioner

Take notes on what you are currently eating and any cravings (or aversions) to specific foods

Find a comfortable and soothing environment in your home to hold your session

Payment and insurance

Most practitioners will provide virtual services at a discount since there is no acupuncture component involved. Also, given these unique times, some may offer sliding scale services. 

Telehealth services are being covered by some insurance carriers and can provide you with a SuperBill if they don’t bill or aren’t in-network. You should check with your specific insurance carrier to be sure.