» What is Community Acupuncture?

In the United States, many acupuncturists treat clients on tables in individual rooms and charge $75 to $150 per treatment.  In many cases, patients are limited to a small number of treatments because of the expense.  By contrast, Community Acupuncturists treat clients in a more traditional approach, as practiced in Asia for thousands of years – clients are treated while seated in recliners gathered in a shared space.  At One Earth Acupuncture, you may come as often as it is necessary for you to feel better, and stay better!  The charge for a high quality treatment is a sliding scale fee of $20 to $40 per treatment. The sliding scale is available to everyone regardless of income, allowing patients to pay at whatever level they can afford.  A new patient fee includes an additional fee for paperwork processing.

For more information regarding treatment, choose What to Expect or complete the Contact Form.

One Earth Acupuncture is part of a larger movement whose goal it is to healthfully shape our world by positively transforming the American health care system.  Community Acupuncture is a social business designed to create social benefit rather than profits.  The business does not necessarily make any profit above what it needs to operate including steady, living wages for the Acupuncturist and staff.

The business goal is to simply exist by providing affordable Acupuncture. You can learn more about the community acupuncture movement here.

» Will One Earth Acupuncture accept my health insurance?

Because of the sliding scale fee schedule, One Earth Acupuncture cannot do insurance billing.  If you have insurance that covers acupuncture, you will be provided a payment receipt so that you can submit it to your insurance company.

» Is Acupuncture safe?

Acupuncture is very safe. One of the great advantages of acupuncture is that there are minimal risks of side effects. Needles generally cause no bleeding on entry or removal.  Single-use, sterile and disposable needles are used at One Earth Acupuncture, thus reducing the risk of infection. There is minimal risk of organ or blood vessel penetration when acupuncture is administered by a fully trained, licensed professional.

» What kind of sensation can I expect from being needled?

Most people who have had acupuncture would describe it as virtually painless.  Needling sensation can be described as tingling, fullness, pressure, or a dull ache.  If any discomfort is experienced, it is generally mild with the most perceptible sensation reported as a feeling of heaviness, aching or slight electricity around the needles. All of these sensations usually subside once the needles are removed. Some patients who describe themselves as being ‘sensitive’ during needle insertion, report that the end result of the treatment far outweighs any discomfort during treatment.

» Do I have to believe in Acupuncture for it to work?

No. Acupuncture is used successfully on cats, dogs, horses and other animals. These animal patients do not understand or believe in the process that helps them get better.
A positive attitude toward wellness may reinforce the effect of the treatment received.

» After receiving Acupuncture in a private room, how can I be certain I will adjust to the Community Acupuncture setting?

Your comfort and well-being is a priority at One Earth Acupuncture.  The facility is specially designed to encourage harmony and promote healing, so you are encouraged to make an appointment for a direct experience of treatment in this unique setting.

If you remain reluctant to schedule a treatment, please contact the office and request a meeting with the Acupuncturist, Evelynne Toth, to get an idea if the space and relationship connect with you.

»What kind of training and credentials is required to be an Acupuncturist?
Acupuncture is regulated by individual state law. In New Jersey, the Acupuncture Examining Board governs the standards of practice for acupuncture.  This Board is supervised by the State Board of Medical Examiners (for complete information see http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/acupuncture/).

To become a licensed Acupuncturist, the Acupuncture Examining Board requires the individual to be at least 21 years of age, be of good moral character, hold a baccalaureate degree, and successfully complete a board approved course of study or a board approved program at a school for acupuncture [a course of study involving 4,050 hours of classroom instruction, supervised clinical experience, and out of classroom or out of clinic study assignments]. Most states recognize the certification and examining process of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) http://www.nccaom.org/.  Established in 1982, the NCCAOM serves to establish, assess, and promote recognized standards of competence and safety in acupuncture and Oriental medicine for the protection and benefit of the public.

There are other designations in many states that enable a person to practice acupuncture.  These relate to medical doctors, dentists and individuals who practice acupuncture for the treatment of alcoholism, substance dependence or chemical dependency (detox or NADA practitioners).

In N.J., medical doctors, surgeons and dentists are permitted to practice acupuncture after having completed 300 hours of study including 150 hours of clinical experience.

To confirm your practitioner’s credentials – look for a copy of their license, which should be clearly displayed in the practitioner’s office.

Evelynne F. Toth, Lead Acupuncturist for One Earth Acupuncture, is state licensed and NCCAOM certified.