Q: How does acupuncture work?
Balance is the key word we like to use to describe the outcome of acupuncture. Acupuncture has and always will be explained many different ways, but they are basically saying the same thing just using different words. It simply rebalances the neuro-chemicals in your body to react properly to the needs of your current state. For example, if you are experiencing pain in your body, by using acupuncture we are able to intercept something called substance-P, thus slowing down the transmission of the pain impulse along the nerves of pain, the C fibers. This directly decreases the effect of substance P on pain and inflammation (and indirectly decreases histamine, bradykinin, and prostaglandin). Acupuncture also increases your endorphin levels causing your body to relax and your mood to change in a positive way. In summary, if your pulse shows an imbalance of blood flow in an organ and/or meridian this will lead to any number of manifestations in your body. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are the main tools we use to re-balance your pulse, which reflects the state of your internal blood flow and thereby decreases symptoms and corrects the causative factors.

Q: Do you run laboratory exams, if so what types? 
Yes. Serum, urinary, stool, breath, and saliva levels are often needed to evaluate the current biochemical markers before treatments begin to have a framework established to compare to later and make treatment adjustments accordingly.

Q: What is a Doctor of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (DAOM) and Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.)?
One of the most confusing concepts for patients is the difference between “getting acupuncture” and going to see a Licensed Acupuncturist and receiving a treatment. The difference? Simply put, it is the education and clinical experience requirements set by state laws. Medical doctors, podiatrists, dentists, and chiropractors are all able to practice acupuncture with as little as 100 hours of training in acupuncture. However, Licensed Acupuncturists (the hours vary state by state) on average have to have over 2,000 hours. April & Stacy received 3,510 credit hours of theory and clinical practice in order to qualify to complete their MSTOM and take the California and National board exams from a 4 year graduate school. Once these boards are completed then the title given is a “Licensed Acupuncturist”. In addition to that degree and licensing, both Dr. Frerking Radatz and Dr. Stacy Frerking have a specialty doctorate degree in Women’s Health. The DAOM (Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) is a 2 year clinical doctorate. Original research was conducted by both physicians and defended orally to a panel of Western and Eastern Medical Doctors. The DAOM program is another 1,220 hours-570 didactic and 650 clinical hours. Drs. Frerking Radatz and Frerking have set a high standard for themselves to give their patients the best care possible with the highest degree attainable in their field totaling 4,730 hours in specialized classroom/clinical education this does not include any CEU hours for annual renewals for the 4 boards they remain current with. There are less than 1,000 individuals in the nation with a DAOM degree, and very few with a specialized one in Women’s Health. Anyone can “stick a needle” in, however, knowing when, where, safety precautions, and for how long is why patients need to be selective when choosing their practitioner. A sign advertising “acupuncture” does not mean the same thing as going to see a Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine/DAOM.

Q: What is the quality of the herbs that you use?
All extracts from the manufacturer that we use are derived from nature. They do not contain harsh chemicals, alcohol, or preservatives, and are very gentle to your system. Each batch is checked for safety against bacteria, fungus, and heavy metal.

Q: Do you accept insurance? 
No.

Q: Is there a cancellation policy?    

Yes a $25 fee will be billed if we do not receive a 24 hour notice unless it is qualified as an actual emergency.

Q: How can I pay?
Cash, checks, credit, or debit cards (except American Express).

Q: How many treatments will I need?
There is not a textbook answer. Each case will vary. For general conditions we suggest 2x’s per week (ideally no more than a week between) until your symptoms have reduced by 50% at least, then begin to space out visits to weekly and then schedule maintenance treatments according to your body’s needs.  For some that is a couple weeks close for others it may be more; 6th treatments commonly can be some people’s turning points. Your practitioner will typically want to see you more in the beginning to reduce your signs and symptoms while getting to the root cause, and then maintenance treatments to keep you from getting out of balance again. A rule of thumb is that the longer you’ve had a condition, the longer it takes to fix. Although, we definitely see this rule broken often. These are general/average responses which vary, they are not specifics.

Q: How long is a treatment?
First visits take longer than follow ups. We recommend allowing 90 minutes for initial visits, and plan for 60 minutes for follow up appointments. Appointments include: questions/history intake, pulse and tongue diagnosis, an acupuncture treatment, herbal recommendations, laboratory recommendations, and gua sha or cupping if needed. We keep the intake questions on returning visits to a minimum to allow the patients’ treatment to be longer.

Q: May I schedule a consult to speak with a doctor prior to booking an appointment?

Yes this is a scheduled 10 minute consult and the fee is $25.

Can I drop in for refills?

We are by appointment only-so to avoid any inconvenience for you, please call 417-334-0899 to schedule appointments and pick up refills.

Q: What does acupuncture feel like?
Sensation of heavy, dull, and achy locally at the site of needles are good signs which your body will eventually grow to enjoy. On initial insertion of a needle, experiencing a brief “prickly” feeling can occur, however it does not last more than a couple seconds and if it does notify your acupuncturist and they will adjust the needle. Functional MRI’s in recent studies have shown specific cerebral activity in response to this dull, achy sensation known as “De Qi” in Chinese Medicine. Did you know acupuncture needles are 1/40th of a regular sized needle? The feeling of an acupuncture needle is NOTHING like the stinging pain of a shot or a blood draw.

We use sterile, disposable needles. Pain tolerance varies with the individual but VERY often, treatment can be entirely painless.

Q: I’m a General New Acupuncture Patient, can you tell me what to expect in a basic summary?
A: If you have not filled out your paperwork previously to your appointment, please bring a list of medications, the medication’s purpose for you, and dosages if you do not have this memorized. If you would like RECENT (performed within last 6 months) labs to be looked at, please email them prior to your appointment to our office: acubranson@gmail.com. Wear clothes that are easy to adjust. Make SURE you eat some type of protein approximately one hour before your treatment to stabilize your blood sugar and minimize the possibility of feeling light headed or fainting. Do NOT brush your tongue on the day of your treatment as the practitioners will be doing a tongue diagnosis. DO drink water throughout the day of your appointment both before and after your visit. After reviewing your labs, our doctors may request additional bloodwork or labwork to fill in any missing pieces they need to give you the best treatment options. You will get a quote from our office of how much that will be before anything is ordered and it will include the lab and the report/review and treatment recommendations. Or you may go through your PCP doctor and pay a review fee to our doctors of $100 to give you a list of what tests are needed and to go through the report and make suggestions and treatment specifications as appropriate. 

Q: I’m a Fertility New Acupuncture Patient, can you tell me what you need ahead of time?

How much is a patient visit (Acupuncture or Chiropractic patient ONLY this is not pricing for LENS-see below)?

10 minute consult (NO treatment) $25

General new acupuncture patient visits are $120

General acupuncture follow up visits are $75

General new chiropractic patient visits are $120

General chiropractic follow up visits are $65

Fertility New Acupuncture Patient Visits: $350

Fertility Returning Acupuncture Patient Visit: $120

Pregnancy Maintenance and Related Conditions $85

Lab Recommendation & Review Fee for missing pieces in your existing reports if you go through another provider $100

Weekend rates by appointment availability: New Patient $140. Follow up visits $85.

Acupuncture treatments include: tongue and pulse diagnosis, history, and acupuncture visit. Electro-acupuncture, gua sha, cupping, and/or auricular therapy are included when appropriate at no extra fee. The treatment price does not vary based on services, only with additional medicines purchased. Lab exams, herbal formulas, enzymes, or supplements are not included in the prices. Chiropractic treatments include structural assessment, adjustments, and home exercises to improve results’ longevity.

Q: How much are LENS treatments?

New patient visit for LENS includes LENS intake and treatment $120

Single session $95

Package of 6 sessions $510

Package of 12 sessions $900