In short, acupuncture treatment can hurt sometimes, but pain is not usual and is rare (though can happen).

Acupuncture needles are not like hypodermic needles (like when giving blood); acupuncture needles are very small and can easily bend. Sometimes patients don’t feel the insertion of acupuncture needles at all. Most often, patients can feel the needle insert, but is not painful. In rare instances, the needle may hit a nerve which can produce sharp and sometimes shooting pain, but again—this is a rare occurrence and not the norm. Sometimes an area on the body with a needle at first feels tight / uncomfortable but typically passes rather quickly.

Most often, Acupuncture treatment is subtle, pain free and effective medicine.

Acupuncture uses very thin needles inserted at specific points on the body to alleviate pain, move stagnation, and harmonizes the body/patient.

Community Acupuncture offers the same level of care afforded patients in a private setting in addition to making treatment affordable using a sliding scale business model.

Community Acupuncture patients do intake (speak with a practitioner) separately, then will receive acupuncture treatment in a communal room where up to two other patients are also receiving treatment. BCA’s community room contains three patient chairs in total.

Acupuncture
First time patients, expect to be at the clinic for an hour in total, including first time paperwork, intake, and treatment. You may opt to print and complete first time patient paperwork to bring with you to your first treatment which will speed up your initial treatment.

Regular acupuncture patients should expect to be at the clinic for roughly 45 minutes in total.

Massage: Tui Na & Chi Nei Tsang
BCA offers 30 & 60 minute massage sessions which includes intake time. Thus, please expect to be at the clinic for the duration of time booked.

In general, it is best to not be hungry when getting treatment. Eating a light meal prior to treatment is great. Being overly-full is not advised.

Please wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing when coming in for treatment. When getting acupuncture, it is best if you are able to easily roll up the sleeves and pant legs of your clothing.

All massage is oil-less and clothes on—you will want to be comfortable and warm.

Please make an appointment to be seen for treatment as we typically cannot accommodate walk-ins easily.

Book Treatment

BCA does not bill insurance or worker’s comp directly, but we can provide patients with what's called a Superbill upon request that may be submitted to insurance companies, etc. to seek reimbursement for treatment.

Please wear a mask while in the clinic.

If you are potentially carrying a contagious illness which is passible (like the cold/flu or Covid), please do not come to the clinic. Herbs are always available for pickup to patients unable to enter the clinic.

Sick patients may cancel or reschedule their treatments online. BCA maintains a 24 hour cancellation policy.

When you are booking a treatment with us online, your treatment may indicate it is only 15 minutes long. This is not the case. You can expect to be at the clinic for a total of 45 - 50 minutes. 15 minutes is the appointment time allocated for the duration of time you will be spending talking with your practitioner prior to receiving acupuncture.