North Jersey Community Acupuncture

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a method of healing that is simple and effective. I use tiny needles to help patients feel better. While the reasons why acupuncture works are often mysterious, the results are observable. Most people experience significant relief after a few treatments.

What kind of things do you treat?

How much does a treatment cost?

I use a sliding scale of $25 - $50. You decide what you can afford, based on your financial situation and how often you need to be treated.

My fees are 1/3 of the fees that you'll find other acupuncturists charging. I offer the same effective, holistic care that other acupuncturists offer in a supportive group setting. This allows me to keep my overhead low. The lower fee is designed to ensure that you can afford to make acupuncture treatment a regular part of your life.

What can I expect the first time I go in for a treatment?

When coming for your first treatment, you will fill out a one-page health history questionnaire and speak to the practitioner about your reasons for seeking treatment. Most people wear clothing that is loose so that they do not need to undress for treatment. Most of the points I use are on the forearms and lower legs. The entire process takes about an hour.

How many treatments will I need?

That depends on why you are seeking treatment. Acute issues are usually treated every-other day for a week or two. More long-term issues need more time to resolve. I often see patients two or three times a week for the first two weeks and once a week after that until the issue resolves.

Does acupuncture hurt?

Not really. Each needle is tiny, only the width of two hairs, and flexible. The needle is only inserted a few millimeters into the skin. There is a little pinch when the needle is first inserted, but that disappears very quickly. Before acupuncture, some people fear that the needles will feel like the hypodermic needles that doctors use, but those who have experienced acupuncture will tell you that acupuncture needles are very different. Most patients find the entire experience to be very relaxing.

Why does acupuncture work?

Western science does not have one explanation as to why acupuncture works, but we do have a number of scientific studies that suggest it does work. Acupuncture is founded on ancient Chinese wisdom, which seeks to balance the patient’s life force, or “chi.” According to this tradition, chi runs through the body like streams trickle through a forest. When the stream of energy becomes blocked or dries up, the patient will experience any number of complaints. When we use the needles to ensure that energy is flowing freely, the patient's symptoms are relieved.

What does it mean when you say that acupuncture is “Holistic”?

In acupuncture, the body, mind and spirit are seen as one. If there is a blockage on the emotional or spiritual level, it can affect a simple body pain. If there is a blockage on the physical level, like an injured knee, that can result in emotional pain, too. Often, treating one issue will bring up several more issues. This is the beauty of acupuncture. Treat one pain and others disappear.

Dana Holmes, LAc.

Dana is an acupuncturist with ten years of experience.  She received a master's degree in acupuncture from the Traditional Acupuncture Institute in 2003 and is currently a diplomate with NCCAOM, the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.  She is a member of the Community Acupuncture Network, an association of people dedicated to making acupuncture affordable for everyone.  Dana is also a certified special education teacher and an advocate for adults with disabilities.  When she's not working on healing the world, Dana can often be found driving up and down I-287, singing along to the radio at the top of her lungs.