For Newbies

Community acupuncture clinics treat everybody in the same room, typically in recliners.  This is how we keep our prices low, it is simple economics, high volume leads to better prices.  Many patients have said they prefer the community setting because the recliners are more comfortable than hard tables, they don’t have to take any clothes off, and they can get the acupuncturist’s attention at any time.  Don’t worry, this doesn’t limit what we can treat.  The late Richard Teh Fu Tan, a world renowned acupuncturist, was known for extremely effective acupuncture using mainly points in the arms and legs. And yes, we can even work on back pain!  We have heard that some franchise locations that have a similar set up use set protocols.  Tempe Community Acupuncture DOES NOT use set protocols.  You will receive an individually tailored treatment based on your needs.

Bonus!  At Tempe Community Acupuncture the word COMMUNITY isn’t just short for community style treatment room.  We are also passionate about the community beyond our walls.  A few of our ongoing community based adventures. For example, we do an annual fundraiser.  Each year we pick a local cause and do a fundraiser where the cash from every treatment given is donated to the cause.

Acupuncture needles are thinner than a human hair, they just feel like teeny tiny pokes.  Single use, disposable, sterilized needles are always used.  Needles are NEVER reused.  Our LICENSED acupuncturists (L.Ac.) are required to do extensive clinical and safety training as a part of their state and national licensure.

Acupuncture is safe and gentle enough to use while pregnant.  It can really help with morning sickness and other pregnancy difficulties!  There are certain points that should be avoided so be sure to let your acupuncturist know if you are pregnant.  

Yes, acupuncture is safe for children!  Our clinic policy currently only allows treatment for minors 16 and older. If you need a referral for a minor under the age of 16 you can check out our referral page at tempeacu.com/tcarecommends. For liability reasons, we cannot allow children to wait, unattended, in the reception area.

The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture’s effectiveness for over 40 disorders. Here are the most common:  acid reflux, acne, addiction, allergies, anxiety, arthritis, asthma, back pain, Bell’s Palsy, Chemotherapy difficulties, Chronic fatigue, cold, constipation, diarrhea, depression digestion, dizziness, emotional issues, fibromyalgia, headaches, hip pain, IBS, high blood pressure, infertility, insomnia, knee pain, low energy, low immunity, low libido, menopausal symptoms, PMS, migraines, nerve pain, night sweats, PTSD, restless leg syndrome, sciatica, stress, stroke, TMJ, tendonitis, vertigo…

The acupuncturists in our clinic are Licensed Acupuncturists (L.Ac.) in the state of Arizona.  They are nationally board certified by the NCCAOM. In order to be nationally board certified it is required to pass board exams, finish a Master’s Degree level program in Acupuncture/Oriental medicine, pass the Clean Needle certification for safety, and undergo yearly continuing education. A Master’s of Science in Acupuncture typically is a 4 year / 3000 hour program (in addition to undergraduate work) that involves intensive study in Traditional Chinese Medical theory and herbology; this is coupled with at least 2 years of hands on clinical training.

Please note that this is different from a “certified acupuncturist” or a practitioner that does “dry needling”. Certified acupuncturist and dry needlers typically go through a very short training (as little as one weekend) with no clinical training. We always recommend seeing a Licensed Acupuncturist or Medical Doctor for any needling therapy as the required education meets the highest standard of training and board certifications are present. 

Our clinic is by appointment only.  Your best bet for last minute appointments is to give us a call at 480-269-0415, we can often squeeze you into a full schedule with just a little advanced notice.

Please note, we do require 12 hours notice for all cancellations in order to avoid being charged for your appointment.

Plan on spending an hour at the clinic for your first appointment.  We ask that you try to fill out your paperwork before you arrive.  For follow up appointments plan to spend around 45 minutes at the clinic.  Please note that your scheduled appointment time is the time we expect you in your recliner and ready to nap.  You may want to arrive a few minutes early to account for rescheduling, bathroom use, chatting with our awesome front desk staff, etc.

For short-term issues, a handful of acupuncture treatments should do the job. For chronic or long-standing issues, a maintenance schedule would be necessary.  As symptoms go down the need for treatment frequency goes down.  Your acupuncturist will discuss a treatment plan with you.

Keys to getting the most out of acupuncture

*Acupuncture treatments have cumulative benefits, the treatments get stronger the longer you receive them.

*The longer you have had an issue, the longer it could take to see changes.

*In the beginning, more is better if you want to get the ball rolling faster.

*It is ok to receive treatments several days in a row, in the beginning it is encouraged.

*Try to get your next treatment before the effects of the previous one wear off.  Taking 2 steps forward will take you further than taking 2 steps forward and 1 step back.  As the effects build you will be able to go longer in between treatments.

Our prices are based on a sliding scale. After your first appointment you choose how much to pay on the sliding scale at each visit.  We are able to keep our prices lower by treating a lot of people, so make sure to tell your friends about us.  You get the same treatment no matter how much you pay on the sliding scale.

One of the ways we are able to keep our prices low is by cutting out the extra costs associated with billing insurance. TCA does not bill insurance, accept insurance, or require insurance of any kind. TCA is not a Medicare provider and treatments at our facility do not qualify for Medicare reimbursement due to the fact that we do not have a physician on staff as is required by Medicare for reimbursement.  Payment is due at the time of service for all treatments.  If you are using your HSA/FSA card, we are coded as a medical facility through our point of sales system.  If you want a copy of your receipt for your insurance company, HSA, FSA, or tax-write-off, you must request a receipt at the time of service and keep it for your records as we are unable to offer receipts retroactively.  Please note, if you choose to submit a claim to your insurance, as a cash pay facility, we are unable to participate in your claim process.  This includes phone calls with your insurance company.  By providing you with a receipt or superbill we are in no way insinuating a guarantee of benefits, 100% of payment is due at time of service.  Thank you for participating in the systems which help us to keep our fees low!

Gift certificates and packages can be purchased at the clinic or in our online store.
Online Gift Certificates

For any of our patients with disabilities, please note that our designated accessible parking is located on the North side of the building.   This entrance is wheelchair accessible and walker friendly with no inclines or high steps. Once you enter the building, there is a labeled doorbell on the wall and a chair to rest in, if needed.  Ring the doorbell and our front desk employee will gladly come to you to take care of the check in process.

Please note, due to the age of our building there is a grandfather clause in place with regards to accessible bathroom space.  We have had architectural engineers assess the suite to see if any possible options were available.  We have done our due diligence to the maximum extent feasible to provide an accessible clinic, we apologize for any inconvenience it may cause that it was deemed technically infeasible by the engineers to alter the bathroom any further to allow for full wheelchair accessibility.

Several options available as part of our add-ons menu:

Mini-Cosmetic Acupuncture 

Facial needles to soften fine lines and wrinkles on forehead, around eyes, and between eyebrows.    A great add on for fatigue, insomnia and digestive issues due to the points used.   

Full-Cosmetic Acupuncture

Facial needles to soften fine lines and wrinkles on the full face. A great add on for fatigue, insomnia and digestive issues due to the points used.  

Celluma® Light Therapy

Full facial cosmetic rejuvenation without any extra needles!  Celluma® is a medical grade, FDA cleared, light therapy device.  Great for acne, wrinkles and fine lines.  

*Eye protection required.  Most effective on a makeup free face.  Contraindicated in pregnancy, epilepsy or with the use of photosensitive drugs or steroidal medications. 

Cosmetic Deluxe

Combine the cosmetic acupuncture add on & Celluma® red light therapy for the most cosmetic rejuvenation benefits.          

We often get asked for recommendations.   We love to support local businesses!!!

Feel free to check out our TCA recommends page.  If it is on our TCA recommends page it is a business that we either personally use and love, or a business that is owned by somebody we personally know and think is great!

www.TempeAcu.com/TCArecommends