FAQs - Holistic Health Partnering LLC

Acupuncture is very effective for acute and chronic pain, allergies, headaches, heartburn and reflux. Habit disorders, mild anxiety and depression can be treated with acupuncture. Wound healing can be sped up with acupuncture techniques and unborn babies in the breech position have been successfully turned in-utero with acupuncture.

Does it hurt?

The vast majority of patients find acupuncture to be a painless, very relaxing procedure. Acupuncture needles are disposable, one time use, sterile needles. The needles are hair thin, in fact, many people do not feel them being inserted through the skin. The needles stay in place for 20 to 30 minutes.

How do I know if it will work for me?

A consultation can help you decide if acupuncture is right for you. A good general rule of thumb is: if your current treatment isn't resolving the problem, is quite expensive or has significant side effects or problems associated with it, then acupuncture is worth a try.

How long does it take to get results?

Occasionally, some patients will experience immediate relief, especially in acute pain situations. More often, it will take two or three visits for a good response.

How long is a typical course of acupuncture?

Most of our patients come weekly for 8-12 visits depending upon the severity of symptoms and the chronicity of the problem. Our goal is to have you come back for follow-up treatments only on an as needed basis. For some people that is a "tune-up" monthly, for others it means when they feel a slight return or increase of symptoms down the road. Once patients learn to listen to their body, they can tell when it is right to come back for a treatment or two.

How much does acupuncture cost?

The consult is $50, the initial treatment, which includes a brief physical, is $100 and each follow-up treatment is $75. Unfortunately, most insurance companies don't cover acupuncture treatments, but we will happy to supply you with the paperwork to submit a claim to your insurance company if they do.

How do I start?

We begin with a consultation where we will discuss your medical concerns and the approaches that you have used in the past. We will be happy to answer any questions that you have, or insert a needle if you would like to see what it feels like before you commit to your first session. From the information gained from the consultation, we are able to design your individualized treatment program. If we feel that acupuncture will not help your situation, we will not charge you for the consultation.

What are the potential risks of acupuncture?

As physicians we are trained to first do no harm. Acupuncture is an extremely safe procedure, especially compared to the incidence of side-effects from medications, as well as many common procedures in traditional Western medical practice. Although complications are extraordinarily rare, they can include; bruising, a small amount of bleeding, local infection or lightheadedness. There have been rare reports in the literature of acupuncture needles puncturing an internal organ; however, these were due to either congenital abnormalities or improperly placed needles.

How long does each treatment take?

Although needles generally are in place for only 20-30 minutes, we may place a couple of sets of needles. Therefore, most patients should plan on being in the office for about an hour.

How does acupuncture work with traditional western medicine?

Acupuncture is not meant to replace your regular care with your primary care provider. Our goal is to work together with you and your physician to decrease your symptoms so that you may be able to decrease your medications or simply to improve your quality of life. We encourage you to let your physician know that you are having acupuncture. To ensure continuity of care, with your permission, we are more than happy to contact him or her by phone or letter.

Hypnosis FAQ's

What is hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a time-tested form of focused attention that allows you to open parts of your unconscious mind to access control, balance, and power that you did not know that you had. With the help of a skilled clinician, hypnosis can address a very broad range of physical and emotional issues, from weight loss to smoking cessation to pain control during childbirth, and sleep disorders to name just a few.

What can hypnosis be used for?

Common uses for hypnosis are for habit control such as smoking cessation or weight loss, and pain control during childbirth. Most elite athletes use some form of hypnosis to improve their performances, and hypnosis can be used successfully in preparation for surgery, treatment for anxiety and sleep disorders. A consultation with Dr. Mueller can help determine if hypnosis is right for you.

Can everyone be hypnotized?

With the help of a skilled practitioner, most people can achieve a great deal of control and access to the unconscious mind. With guidance and practice, the skill can be refined, developed and applied to additional aspects of your life.

Can hypnosis make me do something that I do not want to do?

All hypnosis is self-hypnosis. While in the trance state you cannot be made to do something that you do not want to do. While in a relaxed state of trance, suggestions are used to help you learn to be in command of bodily functions, emotional reactions, habits, desires and thoughts. These suggestions will be consistent with your goals and your individual situation.

What will I feel while I am in the trance state?

It is surprising how alert one can feel in trance or during practice sessions. When in trance, you will most likely notice sounds and things around you. You can readjust your position or scratch your nose while still deepening your state of relaxation. Most people have a deep sense of peace and relaxation during and after being hypnotized.

How do I know if hypnosis will work for me?

We feel that hypnosis can work for everyone, but timing and motivation are key elements. Someone who is looking for a miracle or a quick fix is not a good candidate for hypnosis. A consultation with Dr. Mueller can help educate you about the power of hypnosis and help you decide if hypnosis is right for you.

How many sessions will it take?

Each individual has different skills, background, motivation and history. A consultation and four to six visits for most situations are recommended but for smoking cessation a series of 8 visits over 6 months has proven the most effective.

Laser Hair Removal FAQ's

How long will a hair removal treatment take?

The length of a laser treatment may last anywhere from a few minutes for the lip or chin to an hour or more for larger or multiple areas.

How many hair removal treatments will I need?

Hairs in an active growth phase are most affected by the laser. As all hairs are not in this phase at the same time, more than one treatment will always be necessary to achieve the best result. As a general rule, we have found that around 4-6 treatments are usually necessary for an area with an average amount of hair growth in a patient with lightly pigmented skin. However, you are never under any obligation to "buy a package" or sign any sort of contract so if two treatments is enough for you then that is fine with us.

Does laser hair removal hurt?

The laser treatment may cause mild discomfort, however, most patients tolerate the procedure well. Some more sensitive areas can be more painful and topical anesthetic cream can be effective for reducing the pain.

Will I have any side effects?

The vast majority of people have no side effects and can resume their regular daily activities. A small number of people may experience mild redness and swelling around the hair follicles which resolves within 24 hours.

Do I have to let my hair grow between treatments?

No. You can cut or shave the hair between treatments, however, you cannot pluck or use a depilatory cream immediately after or in between treatments as these processes remove the base of the hair that is the target for the laser.

Do I have to be careful of my skin between treatments?

Yes. Your skin will be very sensitive to the sun for about a week after your treatment and so you must wear sunscreen and avoid direct prolonged exposure to the sun. You also cannot use any products with Retin-A or glycolic acid immediately after the procedure. Regular cosmetics pose no problem and can be used immediately.

Does the laser work for everyone?

No. The laser is attracted to the pigment in the hair, so it will not be effective for people with white or gray hair. Unfortunately, there is not a laser on the market that works for people with this hair color. Our laser is also less effective for people with darkly pigmented skin.

Is laser hair removal covered by insurance?

At this point in time cosmetic laser services are typically not covered by health insurance.

How much does a hair removal treatment cost?

Fees are based on the body area being treated. You do not have to sign a contract or agree to a package. When you are happy that enough hair has been removed from an area then you are done with laser treatment. Click here to see our fees for women. Click here to see our fees for men.

Skin Rejuvenation FAQ's

How long does a skin rejuvenation treatment take?

A treatment typically takes about 20 minutes for the entire face and about 30-40 minutes for arms.

How many skin rejuvenation treatments does it take?

It typically takes 4-6 treatments, however, that does depend somewhat on the severity of the initial problem and how dark the patient's skin color is.

Does a skin rejuvenation treatment hurt?

Yes. Most people describe the sensation like a rubber band snapping or a brief hot stinging sensation on the skin. Generally, people tolerate the treatments quite well, however, if you experience pain, we are happy to pprescribe an anesthetic cream to help ease the pain. Many people find listening to music during a treatment to be helpful in minimizing the pain.

How will my skin look immediately after a skin rejuvenation treatment>

Because the treatments are so gentle to your skin, the vast majority of people do not have any side effects from a treatment. Any pink or slight red coloration should last anywhere from one hour to a day at most. Makeup can be reapplied immediately after a treatment as long as it does not contain any Retin-A or other astringent type compound.

Are these skin rejuvenation treatments only good for the skin on the face?

No. IPL treatment can be used on any area of skin that has been sun damaged or has prominent or broken blood vessels. Many people will use it for their neck, chest, arms and hands as well as their face.

Is IPL treatment safe?

Lumenis is a leader in laser and IPL technology. The Lumenis IPL has been in use and approved by the FDA since 1995 and the LumeOne is a state-of-the-art machine offering the latest advances and most safety features.

Is IPL treatment covered by insurance?

At this point in time cosmetic laser and IPL services are typically not covered by health insurance. However, if you have a medical condition that causes a treatable problem, such as rosacea, you should call your insurance company to see if they would reimburse any or all of the cost of your IPL treatment.

How much does a skin rejuvenation treatment cost?

Fees are based on the body area being treated. You do not have to sign a contract or agree to a package. When you are happy with the appearance of your skin then you decide that you have had enough IPL treatments. Click here to see our fees for men and women.