Frequently Asked Questions

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin (size of one strand of your hair!), single-use sterile stainless steel needles into specific points on the body to help regulate and restore balance within different systems of the body.

In Chinese Medicine, symptoms aren’t viewed as isolated problems, they’re often part of the same landscape! Acupuncture works by gently nudging the body toward better circulation, nervous system regulation, and overall balance so things can move the way they’re supposed to again. The needles act as a beacon in the water, signaling the body to send resources to the specific point locations to illicit a chemical healing response.

Most people leave treatment feeling deeply relaxed, more grounded, and a little more integrated.

Loose-fitting, comfortable clothing - this allows for easy access to common acupuncture points.

It is different for everyone and depends how long you’ve been dealing with your current chief issue! I concretely address this as part of your intake, though flexibility is key. Some people come weekly, some bi-weekly or monthly, it all depends.

Treatments compound over time - seeking acupuncture once and feeling discouraged with the effects, is exactly like going to the gym for one day and being upset you don’t have a six pack yet 🥴.

Before:
Have a light meal or snack, and come as you are—no need to be perfectly “well.” Try not to arrive totally depleted or on an empty stomach. Wear something comfortable, or bring layers so you can relax easily on the table.

After:
Give yourself a little space to land. Most people feel relaxed, a little floaty, or pleasantly tired; so if you can, avoid jumping straight back into high-stress mode. Hydrate! Eat something nourishing! And keep your plans low-key, if possible.

You might feel immediate relief, or things may shift more gradually over the next day or two. Both are normal - your body’s doing its thing.

Short answer: insurance likes boxes, and acupuncture doesn’t!

Most insurance plans require treatments to focus on one specific symptom or diagnosis… but acupuncture works best when we zoom out and look at the whole picture, because your body isn’t just one problem at a time.

By staying out-of-network, I’m able to treat what’s actually going on, not just what a policy decides is relevant that day. It means more personalized care, more flexibility, and treatments that can do what acupuncture is meant to do.

If you have out-of-network benefits, I’m happy to provide a superbill so you can try for reimbursement. Please let me know at your first appointment if you’re interested in a superbill.

Wave Acupuncture requires at least 24 hours’ notice for cancellations or rescheduling. Cancellations made within 24 hours of your appointment, as well as no-shows, will be charged the full session fee.

You can email chasehartley.lac@gmail.com to alert of your cancellation, or cancel directly via my booking platform, Jane. No Instagram DM’s.

This policy is in place because your appointment time is set aside just for you, and last-minute changes make it difficult to offer that time to someone else who may need care.

Thanks for understanding, and respecting the time it takes to hold this space!

Honestly, not in the way people expect! It’s usually anticlimactic, by comparison. The needles are super fine (way smaller than anything you’d get at a doctor’s office), so most people are surprised by how subtle it feels.

You might notice a quick pinch here or there, or some sensations like heaviness, warmth, or a little “zing” as things start to shift. A lot of the time it just feels relaxing, like your system getting the memo to chill out.

Totally get it! Cupping and gua sha feel like they should be their own standalone moment.

In my space, I don’t book them separately because I weave one (or both!) of them in at the start of a return treatment. Cupping helps open circulation and get things moving, and gua sha works the surface layers to release tension and stagnation — both basically help your system shift gears before we go deeper with acupuncture.

Cupping and gua sha are like the opener for your favorite band, preparing your for the main event.

So instead of being booked solo, they’re woven in to help guide your body into treatment.