Frequently Asked Questions

Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that involves the insertion of thin needles into the skin at specific points on the body to stimulate energy flow and promote healing.

Acupuncture can be used to treat a wide range of conditions such as pain, stress, anxiety, insomnia, digestive disorders, and more.

Acupuncture is considered a safe treatment when performed by a licensed and trained practitioner using sterile needles. It is important to disclose any medical conditions or medications you are taking to your practitioner before beginning treatment.

Yes,  Meridian + Myrrh Acupuncture and Wellness is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBS IL PPO). If you have a BCBS PPO plan, your acupuncture visits may be covered in part or in full, depending on your specific benefits. We are happy to verify your coverage before your first appointment.n answer to this item.

For patients with other insurance providers,  such as Aetna, Cigna, or UnitedHealthcare,  we are considered out-of-network. You can still use your benefits by submitting a Superbill (an itemized receipt) for potential reimbursement. We will provide this documentation as requested after each visit, along with any necessary codes and details to make the process simple.

You can contact your insurance provider directly using the phone number on your insurance card.

Ask the following questions:

1. Do I have acupuncture benefits under my plan?
2. Do I need a referral or preauthorization?
3. What is my deductible, co-pay, or co-insurance? 
4. How many visits are covered each year?

If you prefer, we can help verify your benefits for you prior to your appointment.

Most patients are surprised by how gentle acupuncture feels. The needles are extremely fine, about the width of a human hair, and many people barely feel them at all.
You might notice a mild sensation such as warmth, tingling, or a feeling of heaviness that fades quickly. Many patients find treatments deeply relaxing and even fall asleep during their sessi 

Acupuncture needles are very thin, flexible, and single-use sterile stainless steel. They are much smaller than the needles used for injections or vaccinations.
Each needle is about the width of a hair or piece of thread, designed to glide smoothly into the skin with minimal sensation. 

Your first appointment begins with a detailed conversation about your health history, lifestyle, and goals. After this, you’ll receive an acupuncture treatment tailored to your needs. You’ll rest comfortably for about 20–30 minutes while the needles do their work. Many people feel calm, refreshed, or deeply relaxed afterward.

Have a light snack, wear comfortable clothing, allowing access to arms and legs, and arrive a few minutes early to relax. Avoid coming on an empty stomach or immediately after strenuous exercise. 

Initial appointments usually last 75-90 minutes, which includes your consultation and treatment. Follow-up sessions are generally 45–60 minutes, depending on your treatment plan. 

Every person and condition is unique. Some patients notice changes after one or two visits, while others benefit from a series of sessions to support long-term balance. We’ll discuss your goals and create a plan that fits your individual needs. 

Yes. When performed by a licensed acupuncturist, acupuncture is a safe and gentle therapy for children. Treatments may use smaller needles, soft pressure, or non-needle techniques such as Shonishin, magnets, or laser stimulation. 

Each pediatric visit is customized based on your child’s age, comfort level, and health needs. Treatment may include gentle needling or non-needle modalities such as Shonishin (a Japanese pediatric technique using smooth tools that gently touch or stroke the skin), Tui Na (Chinese medical massage), acupressure, ear seeds, or e-stim without needles to encourage healthy energy flow and relaxation.

Herbal therapy and moxibustion (warming specific points with gentle heat, never directly on the skin) may also be incorporated when appropriate.

Sometimes! Very fine, hair-thin needles may be used for just a few seconds or minutes, depending on the child’s comfort. Some children do not mind our small and gentle needles, while others prefer needle-free approaches such as Shonishin, Tui na, acupressure, or ear seeds. We customize the treatment to the comfort of the child and parent.

You’re welcome to stay in the room during treatment, and your child may bring a favorite blanket, stuffed animal, or comfort item. The goal is to create a calm, safe, and positive experience that builds trust and helps your child feel relaxed throughout their session.

Before the first appointment, parents are encouraged to connect with the practitioner to discuss their child’s needs, medical history, and ask questions. This allows for a comfortable, collaborative approach to care.

Yes! Acupuncture complements both Western medicine and other holistic therapies. Many patients use it alongside chiropractic care, massage, or herbal medicine as part of an integrative wellness plan. 

That’s completely okay - some people are! Pediatric and needle-sensitive patients can receive effective, needle-free treatments such as acupressure, Shonishin (a gentle Japanese method), or low-level laser therapy. The experience is calming and completely comfortable. 

Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a gentle, hands-on energy healing practice that promotes relaxation, balance, and emotional well-being. As a Reiki Master Practitioner, Kara uses this restorative modality to help calm the nervous system, ease stress, and support the body’s natural ability to heal. 

You’ll remain fully clothed and comfortably reclined while light touch, or hands held just above the body, helps guide energy flow. Most clients experience a deep sense of calm, warmth, or gentle tingling as the body moves into a relaxed, restorative state.

Reiki harmonizes beautifully with acupuncture, herbal medicine, and other modalities by encouraging the body’s parasympathetic “rest and digest” response. From a biomedical perspective, Reiki may help regulate the autonomic nervous system, reduce stress hormones, and promote overall balance and clarity. 

E-Stim, or electroacupuncture, is a modern technique that enhances traditional acupuncture by gently applying a low electrical current between select acupuncture needles. The sensation is mild and rhythmic, often described as a soft pulsing or tapping, and helps stimulate the nervous system, improve circulation, and relieve muscle tension or pain.

In pediatric or needle-sensitive cases, E-Stim can also be used without needles, applying small electrodes or clips to the skin near acupuncture points for a gentle, non-invasive experience.

This method is commonly used to support recovery from injury, manage pain, and promote relaxation of tight or overworked muscles.

Master Tung Style Acupuncture is a classical system of acupuncture known for its precision and distinctive point combinations. Developed by Master Tung Ching-Chang, this lineage uses unique point groupings and needling methods that are recognized for their strong therapeutic effects.

Rather than treating directly where discomfort occurs, Master Tung points are selected based on channel relationships and energetic balance, allowing treatment to be performed on distal areas of the body, such as the hands, arms, legs, or ears, to influence internal systems and support whole-body harmony.

This style is often used for pain management, internal conditions, and overall energy regulation. It integrates seamlessly with modern biomedical understanding while remaining rooted in the classical wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Tui Na (pronounced twee-nah) is a form of Chinese medical massage that has been practiced for thousands of years. Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, it uses rhythmic hand techniques, such as rolling, kneading, pressing, and stretching, to work along the body’s meridians and acupuncture points, helping to restore the smooth flow of Qi (vital energy) and promote balance.

From a biomedical perspective, Tui Na helps increase circulation, reduce muscle tension, and improve joint mobility. Each session is tailored to your individual needs and may feel different from a Western-style massage, ranging from deeply relaxing to invigorating depending on the therapeutic goal.

Tui Na can be used alone or integrated with acupuncture, cupping, or other modalities to support pain relief, stress reduction, and overall well-being.

Moxibustion, or moxa, is a Traditional Chinese Medicine technique that uses the dried mugwort herb (Artemisia vulgaris) to gently warm specific acupuncture points. The heat helps promote circulation, relax muscles, and support the body’s natural healing response.

How is moxa used?
Moxa can be applied in several safe, comfortable ways depending on each person’s needs:

• Indirect moxa stick: A lit stick is held a few inches from the skin to warm an area without contact.
• Moxa on needle: A small piece of moxa is placed on the end of an acupuncture needle to transmit soothing warmth through the point.
• Ibuki (stick-on) moxa: A small cone of moxa attached to an adhesive base is placed on the skin, providing gentle, localized warmth without direct contact or smoke exposure. 
• Smokeless or infrared options: Modern smokeless moxa provides the similar benefits without smoke.

What does moxa feel like?
Most people experience a gentle, radiant warmth that feels deeply relaxing. Moxibustion is not applied directly to the skin, and great care is taken to ensure comfort and safety throughout the treatment.