Your questions, answered plainly
Needles, session length, rates, insurance, cancellation: here are clear answers to the questions we are asked most often. If yours is not here, write to us.
Your session
The full course of a first visit is described on the page Your first session.
Also on the blog: does acupuncture hurt? and how does acupuncture work?
Do the needles hurt?
Acupuncture needles are far finer than those used for blood tests. Most people feel them very little, if at all, and many are surprised by the deep relaxation that settles in during the rest period.
How long does a session last?
Allow 75 to 90 minutes in total for the first visit, depending on the practitioner, which includes a full health assessment. Follow-up sessions last 60 to 70 minutes, including a rest period of roughly 30 to 40 minutes once the needles are in place.
How does the first visit unfold?
It begins with a full health assessment, with follow-up questions from the form completed in advance. The assessment may include taking the pulse and observing the tongue, following the approach of traditional Chinese medicine. The step-by-step details are on the “Your first session” page.
How should I dress?
Wear loose clothing you feel comfortable in. Most of the points used are between the elbow and the hand and between the knee and the foot: it is rare to have to remove much clothing.
How should I prepare?
Eat something in the hours beforehand and bring the list of your medications. If you brush your teeth, avoid brushing your tongue: its coating helps refine the Chinese medicine assessment. A trip to the washroom just before helps you relax.
How many sessions will be needed?
The number of sessions and their frequency vary with your condition. Treatments are generally closer together during a period of acute discomfort, then spaced out. Your therapist discusses this with you from the first meeting.
Rates, receipts and insurance
The complete, up-to-date schedule is on the page Rates.
How much does a session cost?
An acupuncture session is $95 ($80 for students), lasting 60 to 70 minutes depending on the practitioner. At the first appointment a $15 new-file fee is added, for a total of $110 for 75 to 90 minutes. Cosmetic acupuncture is $140 (75 minutes, with Justin). In physiotherapy: initial assessment $135 (60 minutes), follow-ups at $120 (45 min) or $105 (30 min). Care is tax-exempt. The full schedule is on the Rates page.
Do you issue receipts for insurance?
Yes, receipts are given on site, for acupuncture as well as physiotherapy. Most group insurance plans accept them (check your contract), and they are often deductible as medical expenses.
Do you accept CNESST and SAAQ files?
Yes. The clinic is registered with the CNESST, the SAAQ and Blue Cross. CNESST files are handled by Jessica; SAAQ files by Justin and Jessica. Please mention it when booking so the file is opened properly.
What methods of payment do you accept?
Cash, cheque, Visa, Mastercard, Interac e-Transfer or Square.
What is your cancellation policy?
Any cancellation less than 24 hours before the appointment incurs a fee of 50%; a no-show is billed in full. If you are more than 10 minutes late, the therapist assesses whether the session can go ahead; if not, it is treated as a late cancellation.
Safety and regulation
Acupuncture is a regulated profession in Québec, overseen by the Ordre des acupuncteurs du Québec.
Also on the blog: acupuncture safety and what the research says about the mechanisms.
Can’t find your answer?
Write to us or call +1 (514) 974-1732.
Is acupuncture safe?
The practice is regulated by the Ordre des acupuncteurs du Québec. Needles are sterile, single-use, and discarded as medical waste after the session. Reported adverse effects are most often benign and passing: a bruise, slight bleeding, a moment of lightheadedness.
Do cupping or gua sha leave marks?
These complementary techniques can leave temporary reddish marks, generally painless, which fade within a few days (3 to 5 days for gua sha). They are not necessary for the treatment to work: if you would rather avoid them, simply mention it to your therapist.
I am pregnant or taking medication: what should I do?
Always tell your therapist about your medications (particularly blood thinners), a pregnancy, or a clotting disorder. These situations call for particular precautions: mention them before the session and we will adjust, or refer you.
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