Academy Clinic FAQs

The first visit

Your first visit to our acupuncture clinic is devoted to getting to know you. Your practitioner will ask you about your main wellness concerns, medical history, and physical conditions. Additionally, they will conduct a brief physical examination and take your pulse. During this process, your practitioner will make observations about your energy and answer any questions you may have. All of this information is used to develop a treatment plan customized to your needs. This process usually lasts about two hours. No needles are inserted during the first visit.

Treatments after the first visit

Based on the treatment plan developed on your first visit, your practitioner and their clinical supervisor will determine which acupuncture points to use for each of your treatments. We use as few needles as possible to enact maximum healing–practitioners frequently choose only three to five points to needle, with each point chosen for a specific purpose.

Once the acupuncture point is precisely located on your body, your practitioner will likely burn moxa directly on it. Afterwards, your practitioner will clean the area and insert a needle into it. Typically, the needle is promptly removed. In between needling each point, your practitioner will monitor the progress of your treatment by checking your pulses and asking information about how you feel.

We recommend that new patients start by having treatments administered weekly. The frequency of appointments decreases as patients report an improvement in their condition.

An acupuncture needle being inserted into a patient's hand.

An acupuncture needle being inserted into a patient’s hand.

A practitioner prepares to burn moxa.

A practitioner prepares to burn moxa.

Treatment is provided by student interns in their clinical year of training. Every aspect of treatment is closely supervised by highly experienced, licensed acupuncturists.

There are often three practitioners involved in each treatment. They are as follows:

Your primary practioner

An intern who has been assigned to administer all of your treatments. They are responsible for planning and carrying out your treatment plan and evaluating your progress.

An assistant practitioner

A second intern who is as highly trained as your primary practioner. They help your primary practitioner as needed. This person may vary from appointment to appointment.

One or more clinical supervisors

A licensed, trained acupuncturist who oversees your treatment. At each appointment, they will come into the treatment room to talk with you, ask questions, take your pulses, and examine you physically as needed. Depending on the phase of clinical training, the supervisor may also be providing feedback to the intern.

Acupuncture Appointments

The first acupuncture appointment is a detailed intake, diagnosis and physical examination. This takes a full two hours. Acupuncture needles, and usually moxibustion, are used in subsequent visits. In order for your initial visit to be worthwhile and effective, and because we are a teaching clinic, we ask patients to commit to an intake appointment plus two subsequent acupuncture treatments.

Chinese Herbal Medicine Appointments

The first Chinese herbal medicine appointment is a detailed intake, diagnosis and herbal prescription. The cost of herbs is additional to the charge for your visit.

Our clinic provides text message and voice message appointment reminders.

We understand that delays can happen. However, we must try to keep the other patients and practitioners on time by upholding scheduled appointment times. If you are running late, please notify the clinic as soon as possible.

If a patient arrives 15 minutes or more past the scheduled time, we may have to reschedule the appointment.

Appointment cancellation and “no shows”

We understand that there are times when you must miss an appointment due to emergencies or obligations for work or family. However, when you do not call to cancel an appointment, you may be preventing another patient from getting much needed treatment. Conversely, the situation may arise where another patient fails to cancel and we are unable to schedule you for a visit, due to a seemingly “full” schedule. A “no show” is someone who misses an appointment without canceling it within 24 hours or more in advance, and the appointment is considered “unattended.”

How to cancel an appointment

If it is necessary to cancel your appointment, we require that you call no later than one day in advance (24 hours).
For cancellations, please call the clinic line at 352.548.2332. If you do not reach the receptionist, please leave a detailed message on our voicemail. If you would like to reschedule your appointment, please leave your phone number. We will return your call and give you the next available appointment time. Please remember that your appointment must be cancelled with the clinic, not an individual practitioner.

A fee of $25 will be charged for any kind of appointment unattended by the patient unless the appointment was cancelled in advance of the scheduled visit.

Acupuncture FAQs

Acupuncture is one of the oldest continuously practiced healing systems in the world, dating back thousands of years. By focusing on the powerful interconnections of body, mind and spirit, acupuncture is very effective in restoring health and preventing future imbalances.

The practice of acupuncture is based on understanding the flow of qi, or vital energy in nature and in ourselves. The Chinese have mapped the flow of qi through our bodies along specific pathways called meridians. When our qi is full and flowing, we experience health. When our qi is obstructed or imbalanced, illness and pain can occur. The symptoms we experience are signals that we need to take measures to restore balance. An acupuncturist works towards this end, adjusting energy flow by stimulating particular points along the acupuncture meridians.

When appropriate, acupuncture can be combined with herbal medicine, and/or Western medical treatments, psychotherapy and lifestyle adjustments for optimal benefits.

Acupuncture needles are refined instruments used to contact the patient’s energy. They are solid, slender, and barely thicker than a human hair. All needles used at the Academy’s clinic are made of fine quality stainless steel, pre-sterilized, single-use and disposed of safely according to national health and safety regulations.

In addition, acupuncturists often use moxibustion to bring more energy to specific acupuncture points prior to needle stimulation. Moxibustion is heat delivered by a cone of a dried herb called “moxa.”

Acupuncture needles are inserted just below the surface of the skin. Most times you won’t feel the needle’s insertion. However, you are likely to feel different sensations of your energy’s stimulation. These sensations will vary from person to person, but many patients describe feeing a dull ache or a tingling that dissipates in a few moments.

Acupuncture has been used to treat many manifestations of illness, both mental and physical. Our acupuncturists develop comprehensive care plans for each patient to address their health outcomes.

Acupuncture can help treat:

  • Arthritis
  • Back pain
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Migraines

Many other conditions can also be treated using acupuncture. For more information about what conditions our clinic can help with, please contact us by email at clinic@acupuncturist.edu or by phone at 352.548.2332.

What is auricular acupuncture in general?

Auricular acupuncture involves the placement of several needles in the acupuncture points of both ears. After the needles are placed, patients sit and relax with them still inserted for AMOUNT OF TIME. They are then removed by the practitioner.

What is the Academy’s auricular acupuncture clinic like?

Our weekly community acupuncture clinic is held in a group setting. When you arrive, a practitioner will check in with you about your medical needs. Afterwards, they will place several needles in each of your ears. Then you will sit and relax while the needles do their work.

How much does the auricular clinic cost?

This clinic is free for veterans and their families. For all others, we offer this service for a suggested donation of $5.00

What types of conditions can auricular acupuncture help alleviate?

Revised list here!

Chinese Herbal Medicine FAQs

Herbal medicine uses plants and natural substances for therapy or medicinal purposes. It is the world’s most ancient form of healing. Studies of herbs and their medicinal properties were prominent in the ancient civilizations of China, Egypt, Greece, Tibet, Persia and India. In some cultures, herbal knowledge was said to have been handed down from the gods. Much of this knowledge is still used today and has been proven effective in modern clinical testing.

An estimated three-quarters of the world’s population, especially those in developing countries, rely on herbal medicine. Almost a quarter of all modern prescription drugs, including aspirin, are derived from plant sources. There is also a strong tradition of Western herb use in the United States where patients are seeking more natural sources of medicine.

Chinese herbal medicines treat the underlying causes of illness rather than individual symptoms to address physical, emotional and spiritual issues. Once a student practitioner has assessed a patient’s specific needs, a formula is individually created to stimulate the body’s natural healing powers. While most over-the-counter herbal products can only address physical ailments with standardized, pre-formulated dosing, our student herbal practitioners are educated to design custom-made formulas for each individual. No two formulas are alike. This focus on individualization puts the patient’s specific needs in the forefront, and just as importantly, takes into consideration any possible interactions with prescribed medications.

There are three ways to dispense Chinese herbal formulas. The patient and practitioner decide together which form is best.

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Loose Herbs

Our herbal dispensary carries over 300 high-quality bulk Chinese herbs, consisting of both raw and prepared materials which are specially selected for each person. Instructions are provided on how to brew the loose herb formulas into a tea at home. Loose herbs, because they are in their natural state, are considered to be more potent than granulated or prepared formulas.

Granulated Herbs

Our dispensary also carries granulated herbs, which are highly concentrated powdered extracts. Granulated formulas are custom-made for each patient just like loose herb formulas. To prepare, patients mix the granules with hot water and drink as a tea. Granules are popular because of their ease of preparation and their portability when traveling.

Patent Herbs

Our dispensary stocks many commonly used formulas in tablet, capsule, and pill form. We purchase high-quality prepared formulas from GMP certified Chinese herbal companies. Prepared herbs cannot be modified for the individual patient, but are popular because of their convenience.

  • Allergies
  • Anxiety
  • Arthritis
  • Asthma
  • Constipation
  • Depression
  • Digestive Issues
  • Headaches
  • Insomnia
  • Joint Pain
  • Migraines
  • Muscle Spasms
  • Pain Management
  • Pre & Post Surgery
  • Sciatica
  • Women’s Health
  • Men’s Health
  • And much more…