Thornton Community Acupuncture Clinic Info

Frequently Asked Questions

When & Where

• Fridays between 9:30a.m. and 12p.m. (appointments can be scheduled beginning at 9:30a.m. and ending at 11:30a.m.).
• Thornton Senior Center:  9471 Dorothy Blvd., Thornton, CO 80229    Phone:  303-255-7850

How much?

Rather than receiving treatment in a private room, you will be in a large, quiet, comfortable room receiving treatment at the same time as other people.  Group acupuncture creates a shared energy field that strengthens and deepens the experience.

• De-Stress Acupuncture: $10 per treatment (no initial assessment fee)
  • In this treatment protocol, 5 needles are placed in specific points in each ear and left there for 30-45 minutes.
• Additional Points: sliding scale $15-$45 per treatment (you decide what you can afford), plus one time initial assessment fee of $10
  • In a community setting, it is also possible to use acupuncture points below the elbow, below the knee, and on the head.
  • By using these points (in addition to the 5-needle auricular acupuncture protocol used for de-stress), treatments can be tailored to address your specific needs and health concerns.

Individual Treatments

Some people prefer to receive individual treatment so they can have one-on-one interactions with a practitioner in a private setting.  If you have many medical problems and would prefer more time with the acupuncturist, individual treatment might be a better match for you.  Treatments last 1-1½  hours.

• Individual treatments – intake session: $65, treatment sessions: $45.

How do I pay?

• Payments are due at the time of service to the acupuncturists payable in cash or check only (no credit cards).

How long is each treatment in the Community Acupuncture Clinic?

• The needles are typically left in for 30 – 45 minutes, however, please allow for an hour.

How do I sign up for an appointment?

• By calling 303-255-7850, or stopping by the Thornton Senior Center’s front office where you can schedule an appointment in person.

Who are the Acupuncturists?

• Randi L. Savage, RN, MS, MAc, LAc
• Allie Dodge, LAc, DiplAc, MAc, BA

What do I need to know before I come in for treatment?

• If it is your first treatment, please arrive 10 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment.
• Wear comfortable clothes.  If you are receiving extra points, please wear clothes that can be pushed up to above the elbows and knees.
• Have your ears accessible.  If you have long hair, please tie it back away from your face.  There is no need to remove earrings.
• Try not to come to treatment with an empty stomach.
• Refrain from drinking caffeinated beverages on the day of treatment.
• It is a good idea to use the restroom before treatment.
• Please drink water on the day of treatment, especially after.

What will I feel?

• Acupuncture needles are as thin as a human hair – much smaller than needles used for injections.
• When a needle is placed on the skin, a very slight prick may be felt or you may feel nothing at all.
• When the needle is gently inserted, you may feel various sensations (e.g. movement, pressure, sharpness, aching, rushing, flowing, tingling, tickling, vibrating, or even an electrical sensation).
• The sensations are typically only momentary and vary from person to person, day to day, and point to point.

What is Acupuncture and how does it work?

• Acupuncture originated in China more than 3,000 years ago.  It is one of the oldest healing systems in the world and has developed through thousands of years of continuous practical experience.
• It is based on the principle that health and well-being are maintained by a balanced flow of energy or “Qi” (pronounced “Chee”) in the body. By the insertion of sterile, stainless steel needles, acupuncture directly affects Qi (energy) at specific points located on meridians (energy pathways) in the body.
• Continual acupuncture treatments restore the amount, quality, balance, and natural flow of Qi in the meridians. This provides an opportunity for the body to heal itself from disease, and helps to maintain overall health and well-being.  Acupuncture can help to relieve pain, stress, anxiety, tension, and depression.  It can also improve sleep and increase mental clarity.
• Today acupuncture is used by 1/3 of the world as a primary health care system.  It has been endorsed as a health care system by the Word Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health.

Disclaimer:

• Acupuncture is not a substitute for primary care medicine but rather a wonderful complement to Western medicine.  Please continue to see your primary care physician and continue any medication exactly as prescribed by your physician.