Frequently Asked Questions
What is Acupuncture?
How does it work?
Acupuncture is a healing practice in Traditional Chinese Medicine that uses hair-thin, single-use, and sterile needles to naturally promote circulation, mobilize your body’s healing response, while supporting the functioning of its internal organ systems, especially your nervous system which commands them all.
There are 12 main Acupuncture channels that carry energy (qi, pronounced "chee") and blood to provide nourishment throughout our body. In a healthy person, the flow of these vital substances are freely moving in a state of dynamic equilibrium. When the flow of qi or blood becomes blocked—pain, illness, and symptoms of disharmony arise. Acupuncture re-integrates the flow of qi and blood to bring your body, mind, and spirit back to a state of homeostasis and harmony.
From a Biomedical perspective, Acupuncture produces neurotransmitters, endorphins, and other biochemical compounds to decrease pain + inflammation, regulate digestion, balance hormones, and reduce stress. It naturally shifts your brain’s nervous system from a sympathetic "flight or fight" state to a parasympathetic one that can “rest and digest”. It is only in this state that your body can repair, regulate, and restore itself. Acupuncture points have been identified as precise anatomical landmarks which have higher concentrations of superficial nerve endings and blood vessels that, when stimulated, send signals to the brain and viscera (organs) along trains of connective tissue (fascia) which correspond to traditional meridians.
Is Acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is safe when practiced by a Licensed clinician. Dr. Lauren Dyer is nationally accredited through the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine), certified in Clean Needle Technique through the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (CCAOM), and Licensed in the State of Maine. Her rigorous 4 year Master’s Degree program at the Finger Lakes School of Acupuncture emphasized biomedical courses in Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, Nutrition, and more. There she gained 3,000+ hours of didactic and hands-on clinical experience treating an array of medical conditions across community, outpatient, and hospital settings. She went on to earn her Doctorate of Acupuncture (DAC) so she could attain advanced integrative diagnostic and clinical skills to better serve patients with complex biomedical conditions. Her education attests to her diligence, integrity, and dedication to providing safe clinical care.
How does it help with stress relief?
Acupuncture is one of the most naturally effective therapies for regulating your body’s stress response. A deep sense of calm, mental clarity, uplifted mood, improved sleep, and resilience to life’s stressors are some of the most common side effects of Acupuncture. We work with patients who experience anxiety, depression, insomnia, pain, adrenal fatigue, burnout, digestive, hormonal imbalances, and a myriad of health conditions that manifest from chronic stress. Treatments allow you to slow down, regain your center, and recover. Since stress is so pervasive and everyone processes it differently, we will work with you to bring awareness to how your body responds to stress, what symptoms arise, and what the root causes behind those symptoms are. You will also be guided with resources to help you thrive throughout (and beyond) your care.
What if I am scared of needles?
First, know that this is common and completely understandable. Thankfully Acupuncture needles are drastically different from the hypodermic needles used to give shots—which is what most people picture when they think of Acupuncture. For starters, Acupuncture needles are filiform (not hollow), flexible, and extremely thin—just wider than a strand of hair. They are also rounded at the end which makes them nearly sensation-free when placed. Acupuncture should always be painless, especially when working with a skilled practitioner. Dr. Lauren Favreau has trained for years in order to provide you with safe and gentle care but if you have concerns, do not hesitate to express them so she can ensure your peace of mind.
How many treatments will I need?
When creating a foundation for successful outcomes, we consider the severity of your condition, how long you have had it for, your follow-through on recommendations offered, as well as the consistency of your care.
Treatment frequency is an essential component for successful outcomes because Acupuncture works cumulatively. Treatments and any effects need time to build on one another to become long-lasting—like learning a new skill or starting an exercise program. The more chronic the condition, the more care that is likely needed to improve your health.
If you are looking to “try” Acupuncture, keep in mind that it takes more than 1-2 treatments to start noticing results. If you are looking to create a foundation for wellness that goes beyond band-aid symptom support and instead allows for sustainable relief, Rune would be a good fit for you.
In general for acute conditions, it takes a minimum of 4-6 sessions to start seeing improvements with change. For many clients, results can become apparent after the first or second treatment, however, in order for those to last, following through with the course of your recommended treatment plan is required to accumulate progress that holds. For more chronic and severe conditions, a minimum of 8-10 treatments is typically needed. Dr. Lauren Favreau will collaborate with you on a treatment plan that is personalized to your needs to give you the most effective care in the most efficient time frame possible.
To learn more about what a treatment process looks like, head to The Journal and dive into our blog on “How Many Acupuncture Treatments Will I Need?”
Do you take insurance?
Rune is out-of-network meaning insurance is not accepted as a form of payment.
I intentionally operate independently for the following reasons:
By not taking insurance, I am able to provide higher-quality, truly personalized, client-centered care.
I am able to work for my clients and prioritize their needs rather than prioritizing insurance stipulations that need to be met in order for you to receive coverage - or for myself to receive payment in a timely fashion to operate my practice.
I am able to offer the range of services and in-depth care I do without being limited to only what insurance would cover.
If you have insurance that covers Rune’s services, I will happily provide you with receipts to submit for reimbursement.
Do you have a question?
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