It’s possible to get acupuncture again! Here’s what to consider!

As the country continues reopening, reintegrating acupuncture treatments into your life has become an option again.  Yes, Integrated Acupuncture Services has reopened with your safety in mind!

Just as businesses and community members are weighing their own personal choices amidst changing state guidelines, it is a personal choice whether or not you feel safe to visit my clinic for acupuncture and light therapy. As you weigh this choice, here are a few things to keep in mind:

First and foremost, acupuncture is considered an essential service by the Department of Homeland Security.  Integrated Acupuncture Services has also been cleared by San Luis Obispo County as an essential service that did not have to close.  It was a personal choice by me to close until extra strict safety measures could be put into place.  Now that I am fully versed on how to protect you, the community and myself, I feel confident that you are safe when coming to my clinic.

If you’re interested in receiving treatment again, please reach out to me to see what policies I’m adopting as I integrate the ongoing nature of the coronavirus pandemic into my business.
The sterilization of the clinic consists of the following:

1. All frequently touched areas of the common areas in the office (such as waiting room, hall and restroom, doorknobs, lightswitches) are sanitized with hospital-grade disinfectant between each patient.
2. Each treatment room is thoroughly sanitized with hospital-grade disinfectant and viral spray after each patient including treatment table, light therapy pads and facemask, countertops, door handles, light switches, chairs, hooks, and personal item containers.
3. Even though patients may remove their face masks in the treatment rooms, I will remain wearing one during treatment until further notice.
4. The entire office is thoroughly cleaned each night after hours with hospital-grade disinfectant.

As for the acupuncture needles themselves, these do not present a danger to you, because they are sterile and single use. I open the needles from a sterile package just before using them on each patient and dispose of them immediately after they’re removed. I also change the bedding and pillows on my acupuncture tables between each patient, as well as sanitize all touchable areas in the treatment room and the entire office between each patient, as I mentioned above.

To understand the specific steps I’m taking with regard to all who enter the clinic, please note the following best practices procedures that are in place in the office until further notice:

All entrants:

1. Will be required to sign a waiver form either before or upon arriving at the office.
2. Are required to be prescreened via TeleHealth 24 hours before a face-to-face appointment
3. Are required to wear a face mask in the public areas of the office, such as the waiting room, hallway and restroom.
4. Are required to sterilize hands at the provided hand sanitizing station in the waiting room before entering the back office and upon leaving the office.
5. Are required to have their temperature taken with a no-touch infrared forehead thermometer before entering the back office.
6. Will wait in their car until summoned by their practitioner to enter the office and may bring in no visitors.
7. May take off their face masks once in the treatment rooms.
8. Will be required to reschedule if any of the coronavirus symptoms are present and/or are requested to use TeleHealth virtual technology for their practitioner contact.
9. Are hereby informed that the office procedures are adhering to the strict operating standards as required in the County of SLO START Guide.

For yourself, it is your responsibility to decide whether it is safe for you to schedule an appointment. While acupuncture can be great for mediating symptoms of colds and allergies, because of the uncertainty of the symptoms patients with coronavirus may experience, it may be best to practice extra caution during this time and only schedule an appointment for long-term health conditions that do not cause you to experience any symptoms comparable with those described by coronavirus patients.

If you are feeling sick, staying home will help protect your community and the healthcare workers in your area.

Remember that traditional Chinese medicine is not just acupuncture. Extensive healing can come from lifestyle changes and the use of Chinese herbal medicines. Especially for new patients, herbs can actually be the best way to start treatment, moving your body toward improved balance and alignment before supplementing your treatment with acupuncture.

In any case, please reach out to me to talk about options for virtual TeleHealth appointments, over the phone or computer. While I won’t be able to do everything I could in a regular appointment, like checking your pulse, I can still do a lot. And, having herbal medicines sent from me to your home involves less contact and time than a full appointment.

Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine are a great resource for anxiety and stress reduction, and given the stressful nature of these times, it can be a great option, so don’t shy away from reaching out to me to ask what is possible today.