I want to post this review in hopes of saving other people from the awful experience I had with this "doctor."
For the sake of full disclosure, this was a Groupon purchase, as I wanted to try out acupuncture, since I have never experienced it. I checked out the company's website and the description of the deal certainly appealed to me and I was keen to experience an "acupuncture and bodywork session and leave feeling that "the process can de-stress, invigorate, and boost your overall health.."
As the other reviewers noted, it was very difficult to make an appointment in the first place, although I did understand that they were inundated with people trying to make appointments before the Groupon's expiration dates.
During my conversations with Dr. Trahan over the telephone when I was trying to make an appointment, I was also extremely put off by his abrasive manner and the fact that I was repeatedly asked if my medical insurance company covers holistic medicine/acupuncture and if they charge an office co-pay and how much it is. I told him that this was a Groupon, which meant that I was merely wishing to try out acupuncture before I commit to anything.
From the minute I walked into the front door, he tried to sell me on the idea of making twice weekly appointments for an initial two week period, and then "we could decide from there..." He also asked me if he may bill my insurance company directly for these visits and then I would only have to pay the office co-pay when I saw him each time. I told him that I was not interested in doing that, because I was not sure if I wanted to commit to anything right now.
Then he told me that he has been charging Groupon people an additional $25 for making their appointments after the expiration date of the 29th, but, that he was not going to do that with me, since I did have two appointments which were canceled by his office (he asked me several times if I was sure I actually DID have appointments that were canceled!) He made me believe that he was doing me a huge favor by not charging me this additional $25.
He also wanted to prescribe herbal medicine to me, which, of course, are not covered by medical insurance, all before we even talked about any health concerns I might have.
Basically, from the minute I walked in, I felt that I was being pressured into buying services and medicine that I was not prepared to commit to right away.
I understand that companies might use Groupon to drum up business, but this was just such a blatant and pushy way for a business to operate, and this "doctor" was far more interested in making money and ensuring future business. It felt like he did not actually care about the welfare of people or improving their health. I feel that he just wanted to ensure that he signs up people who have medical insurance so that he can bill medical insurance companies directly and thus be ensured of future income.
Far from the promised "consultation and evaluation and a discussion after your diagnosis about a treatment plan..." this Doctor was selling me services before he even knew anything about me.
I also did not have any "acupressure and other bodywork techniques" and definitely did not experiencing a "process that can de-stress, invigorate, and boost your overall health," I left feeling that I had just been in a timeshare sale office listening to sales pitches for something I was not ready to commit to.
I also agree with the other reviewer that the appearance of the office and the treatment room did not inspire any confidence in me that I would receive competent, caring or hygienic care of any sort.
The so-called acupuncture session caused me pain and discomfort and has made me think that maybe acupuncture is not for me. When I expressed this to the doctor, he scoffed at me and said, "...people love acupuncture!" It was clear that the moment he realized that I was not willing to commit to anything or buy anything, he lost interest in me.
I now worry that I will have to keep checking with my medical insurance company to make sure that he does not charge me for this Groupon office visit (or any future visits that I will not be making!).
Good service ensures repeat business, not cajoling, pressuring and being abrasive. I definitely did not experience "a warm, caring, and patient person who welcomes questions about TCM medicine) from his clients, or "who displays a sincere interest in your health and well-being." Quite the contrary.
What an unhappy and upsetting experience this has been and it has put me off wanting to try acupuncture ever again! read more