I'd been experiencing a ton of symptoms (GI issues, loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, tingling in fingers radiating up the arm to the face, numbness in face, blurred vision, lower back pain, insomnia, tension in neck and shoulders...I get it, I sound broken for a 29 year old). I ran $20K worth of tests (full physical, allergist, GI, neuro) only to have everything come back negative thus far. I asked my primary care to refer me to an acupuncturist b/c I was desperate to try anything and my docs insisted we went the holistic way 1st. I tried breathing exercises/other stress relieving techniques and peppermint herbs to no avail. They recommended Transformational Acupuncture and I did what any good yelper does, read the reviews! I made my 1st appointment w/ Jeremy in October 2015 and have been going 2x/week since. I'd never had acupuncture before so I did not know what to expect. I wasn't sure it would even do anything but I've been converted.
Location - super convenient, a couple blocks away from Dupont Metro (north), right above Hair Cuttery.
Waiting area/reception - tons of reading materials/resources available on mindfulness, different techniques to relieve pain, herbs, etc. Always plays soothing music. No cell phones allowed to preserve the ambiance and respect those in treatment. Super surprised that they ALL took the time to learn my name and by my second appointment, knew who I was and greeted me on my arrival and departure. Super friendly bunch!!!
Treatment rooms - 2 wings w/4 bays/massage tables each separated by curtains. There is a private room as well, which doubles as Jeremy's office. Depending on comfort level, it may be weird at 1st to "share a room" during treatment b/c you can hear the rustling of people getting on/off the tables but I've had plenty of treatments where I completely fell asleep and woke up feeling like I've had a couple gin and tonics (totally relaxed). Each wing is heated w/mini portable heaters and you can request a heater and blanket in your bay. (I always do b/c part way through, my body is at a resting phase and cold).
Low Prices - $75 for the 1st initial consult and treatment and then $55 for each acupuncture treatment thereafter. They take Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield (which provides 24 sessions, and can be upped an additional 10+ on a case by case basis). I have the higher coverage BCBS and each treatment comes out to between $5-$9 and change, no joke. They have additional services which are not covered by insurance like Qi Qong and cupping, which run $75, in addition to the acupuncture charge because they are done together.
Method of treatment - They are constantly treating multiple people on a rotating basis, which allows for lower prices. They start with a check-in to see how you're feeling, what areas you want to target, how the last treatment worked/didn't work, etc. Then, you go into a bay for needle placement. While you're left to relax for 30-45 min, the practitioner does a check in and treatment w/ another patient. The appointments run in 15 min increments and if there is no one after you, they give you the option of resting w/ the treatment for an extra 10-15 min. Each session typically lasts a total of 60 min.
Styles - Each practitioner has a slightly different style but they share notes on you. Jeremy likes to chat and see what's going on. Andrei and Courtney will check your pulse and tongue.
Jeremy's touch is the lightest in terms of needle placement. He also has a ton of essential oils at his disposal and they can be incorporated into your treatment to help you relax more. My favorite have been the sweet orange and peppermint behind the ear. He also chats like a friend rather than a stuffy doctor type.
Andrei's strength is in Qi Qong (energy work) on the body. I swear I've gone in feeling like I had a stomach ache and during acupuncture, he places his hand directly on my stomach, it gets super hot, and I feel better. It's a really weird feeling that is indescribable. Based on my GI issues, lack of appetite, and insomnia, he prescribed a couple different Chinese herb concoctions. I'm Chinese and grew up going to the traditional Chinese medicine shops, you know, w/the glass jars of tree bark, snake skin, dried seahorse, that you had to boil and drink. Here, the herbs are pre-ground, completely water soluble and can be taken in a shot glass worth of water. $0.40 per 3 grams, a week's worth was $21. He also does cupping (suction not fire) over a salve to massage the muscles and increase blood flow. It's great every 2 weeks.
Final Result - not 100% but significantly better than when I first started. Feeling a bit more relaxed and my symptoms are subsiding. I'll continue coming here, even after my symptoms are completely gone, for stress maintenance and the lovely naps induced by acupuncture which force me to CTFD. I've already recommended this place to my dentist and a gf. read more