Most people who have had acupuncture would describe it as virtually painless or far less painful than plucking out a hair. We use very fine surgical steel disposable needles that do not draw blood and are solid, not hollow. The needles are about as thin as a strand of hair. You might experience a dull sensation or tingling near the insertion points during the treatment. That’s the needle catching what we call the “Qi”, or the energy flow through the body. You may feel a heaviness or warmth, often followed by a deep sense of calm.

In general, people tend to feel relaxed after an acupuncture treatment. And the days following might even mean better sleep, digestion, and an overall sense of well-being. Acupuncture does have a cumulative effect, so your healing experience is usually not one and done. We will work with you to create a treatment plan that addresses your specific problem, with the expectation that you will see longer lasting results as you work through your custom treatment plan.

The initial treatment will take between an hour and an hour and a half. Subsequent treatments take between 45 minutes and 1 hour depending on your condition and where you are in your wellness journey. During the sessions, once the needles have been inserted, you will rest for 25-30 minutes.

Yes! Our staff is fully-licensed and quite impressively educated if we do say so ourselves. Head over to our About page to learn more about our practitioners, or reach out to us directly if you have more specific questions about our qualifications.

There are a few ways to help yourself through the fear if it’s a serious concern for you. First off, know that the fear is common and preparing properly for the appointment will help. 

• Eat something light about 2 hours before your appointment. Skip the coffee (ugh, we know!). The last thing you need is caffeine driven jitters and increased anxiety. 

• Communicate with us about your fear. We will do everything we can to help you through it and ensure this is a safe and comfortable experience for you. 

• There are a few alternative solutions, like cupping, that provide many of the same benefits and relief as acupuncture, but without the needles.

Every patient is different, and the honest answer is that it depends on what you're treating and how long you've been living with it. Acupuncture has a cumulative effect, so most patients begin to notice shifts within the first few sessions, with more lasting results building over time. We'll work with you to create a treatment plan that's realistic for your condition and your life.

Absolutely, we encourage it. At Soul Sprout, we believe in integrative care, which means we're here to complement your existing healthcare plan. We work alongside your primary care provider, OB, oncologist, or specialist to support what conventional medicine alone sometimes can't address.

In most cases, yes. Acupuncture is gentle, low-risk, and can be a wonderful complement to care during pregnancy and while managing chronic conditions. That said, we always ask about your full health history before we begin, so we can tailor your treatment safely. If you have specific concerns, reach out and we'll talk it through before your visit.