Susan Rooks
Services & Rates
Acupuncture
Initial consultation & "root" treatment $75. Subsequent "root" treatments $60.
Some individual services and prices may vary.
Please ask Susan about discounts for Military ServiceVeterans, Police, Fire Fighters, and Seniors 65+.
Many Commercial Insurances, Debit and Credit Cards now accepted as well as cash or check. Please call your insurance carrier before your appointment to see of they cover Acupuncture. You may wish to inquire if there is any specific diagnosis required for coverage.
Located at 359 Main Street, Suite 3, in Farmington, NH, at the junction of routes 75 (Elm Sreet) & 153 (Main Street), Acupuncture & Complementary Family Care is a family oriented Acupuncture Center specializing in the treatment of acute illnesses and injuries as well as chronic health problems.
Couple or group/friend sessions. You may come with a supportive friend or family member and be treated together in the same room, or in seperate treatment rooms, if you desire.
Acupuncture is a complete system of healthcare which traces its roots back more than 3,000 years. This ancient form of Eastern Medicine is used for treating illness, disease and injury within the body and may include the insertion of needles as well as use of moxibustion (burning of mugwort herb), or application of magnets (polarity field). When performed by a licensed practitioner, acupuncture is extremely safe and does no harm. Different variations of acupuncture are taught and practiced throughout the world.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, your overall health is determined by the quality of the Qi (energy) flow through the natural pathways of your body (meridians). Acupuncture uses a variety of techniques that stimulate and improve your Qi flow. Diagnosis of a problem and developement of a treatment plan are made through assessment of the 12 pulses, abdominal palpation, and may include tongue diagnosis as well as client health history. The "root" cause of illness or injury is treated, thereby treating symptoms.
Common conditions treated by Acupuncture include, but are not limited to: Depression, Anxiety, Emotional Issues, Irritable Bowel & Gastric Disorders, Migraine & Headaches, Back Pain & Muscular Tension, Injuries, Insomnia & Sleep Disturbances. Acupuncture has also been used effectively for support with Weight Loss, Smoking Cessation, and other Addictions.
For those who may be interested in Acupuncture, but do not desire insertive needling, there are several types of "non-needling" methods of treatment. Some of these are listed below.
Cupping
Cupping has been a part of Chinese Medicine for over 2,500 years. It relieves aches and pains, improves circulation, and also helps with respiratory and digestive issues. I simply place a specialized "cup" onto specific points on your body, and then use suction to draw your skin up into the cups. It doesn't hurt — it simply draws fresh blood to that area of your body, which facilitates the cleansing and strengthening of your Qi (energy). The end result is a greater overall sense of health and well-being.
Electroacupuncture
Electroacupuncture is a highly effective holistic treatment for pain, nausea, and chronic ailments. In practice, it is actually very similar to traditional acupuncture. Using the exact same system of Chinese Medicine, I insert very thin and sterile needles into specific points along the meridians of your body. I then attach the needles to a device that delivers gentle electrical pulses between two points. This helps restore the healthy flow of Qi (energy) through your body, removing any blockages and clearing out stagnant areas, thus creating a stronger and clearer experience of health and well-being.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion is a Traditional Chinese Medicine technique that involves the burning of mugwort, a small, spongy herb, to facilitate healing and health. Moxibustion has been used for healing purposes throughout Asia for thousands of years. The purpose of moxibustion, as with most forms of Traditional Chinese Medicine, is to strengthen the blood, stimulate the flow of Qi (energy), and enhance your overall vitality and health.
Among other benefits, a landmark study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1998 found that 75.4% of women suffering from breech presentations before childbirth had fetuses that rotated to the normal position after receiving moxibustion at an acupuncture point on the bladder meridian.
Reiki
Reiki is a Japanese form of energy work that cleanses and balances the energy system in the body. As a result, the body's natural self-healing mechanisms strengthen, helping to establish optimum health. During a session, I work directly with your energy field to remove blockages, detoxify your system, and restore your vital life force energy. Reiki utilizes a gentle laying on of hands to conduct the necessary energy force between us. The benefits of Reiki range from the release of habitual mental/emotional stress to alleviating chronic pain.
Gua Sha
Although Gua Sha is an ancient healing technique used by Chinese Medicine practitioners for thousands of years, it is relatively unknown in the West. It is recognized throughout Asia as a highly effective treatment for chronic pain conditions, stress, fatigue, and a host of other ailments.
First, Gua Sha oil is applied to a specific meridian (energy pathway) on your body. I then use a smooth round-edged object (such as a spoon) to apply short brisk strokes to that area. This creates red patches of skin (called "Sha"), detoxifying your blood and restoring the healthy flow if Qi (energy) to the area. There is no pain involved, and the Sha will fade in 2 to 3 days. But the sense of health and vitality you experience from it will last much longer.
Pulse Diagnosis
One of the most common questions that patients ask about Oriental/Eastern Medicine is: "Why does my practitioner check my pulse?" Pulse diagnosis is actually one of the most complex and important diagnostic techniques we use in Eastern Medicine. Through feeling and evaluating your pulse, I obtain an accurate diagnosis of your overall constitution, Qi (energy) flow, and internal organ health, among other things. I then synthesize all of this information into a highly effective and individualized treatment plan for your specific needs.
Acupressure
Acupressure is based on one the most ancient principles of healing — that simply touching a specific point on the body will release stress and improve health in the body. In an acupressure session, I apply firm pressure directly to these "points" on your body, which relieves your muscle tension and improves your circulation. This simple and powerful technique has been shown to very effective in treating headaches, backaches, and even insomnia.
Auricular Therapy
The ear is considered one of the many microsystems reflective of the body. In many forms of Auricular Therapy, small needles are inserted into specific points of the ear to treat imbalances. Auricular Therapy can treat many conditions such as: pain in any part of the body, stress, depression, PTSD, insomnia, excessive appetite, and nicotine addition. Some needles are considered "semi-permanant" and can be left in the ear for days to weeks to months without need for removal. Auricular Therapy can be performed as a "stand alone" treatment or as part of a regular office visit.
Far Infrared Sauna
Far Infrared Saunas utilize the principle of Radiant Heat. Radiant Heat means heating a specific object directly; in this application, the human body. Far Infrared Light Waves are emitted by Carbon Heater Panels mounted in the wall of the sauna and directed into the interior of the sauna. The human body readily absorbs infrared energy since the tuned infrared light waves and the human body vibrate at the same frequency. This process is called Resonant Absorption.This Special Bandwidth of Light Energy penetrates human body tissues up to 2-3 inches deep below the skin. The Light Energy is converted into Heat Energy. In Physics, this reaction is called Direct Light Conversion. This special form of electromagnetic energy excites the body tissues and fluids at the cellular and molecular level.
Infrared Heat is Healthy, Natural, and a Safe Therapy for all living beings. Millions of adults around the world use saunas uneventfully on a regular basis. As for age and the sauna, it’s really more a matter of how healthy you are than how old you are. Sauna use by those over 80 is very, very common in Finland.
Some common reasons people seek infrared sauna treatment are: Detoxification, Weight Loss, Relaxation, Pain Relief, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Lyme, Blood Pressure Reduction, Improved Circulation, Skin Purification
Pricing for Sauna use only Clients:
30 minutes = $15 and $5 for each additional 15 minutes
If sharing with another person, there is an additional $10 fee per person
Pricing for Existing Acupuncture or Massage Clients:
30 minutes = $10 and $5 for each additional 15 minutes
If sharing with another person, there is an additional $5 fee per person.
Discounts are a available if purchasing multiple (5 or 10) sessions or by the month.
Maximum of 3 persons using the Sauna at a time.
In order to protect the wooden seats of the sauna, please bring a towel to sit on while using the sauna.
Many people bring an additional towel to dry off with after their sauna.
Commonly Asked Questions
1) Do the needles hurt? - Acupuncture needles are very, very, small and are more like tiny pins than what most people think of as needles (like those used for immunizations). The primary needle size I use is a size "0", which is inserted with the aide of a guide tube as it is so fine and flexible, it would bend easily on contact with the skin and would take great concentration for the insertion. Sometimes people feel a small prick as the needle goes thru the skin, but the sensation should be brief. Many people do not feel the needle entering the skin at all. If there is ever pain after the needle is inserted, I will adjust or remove the needle right away! No, Acupuncture should not hurt!
Some people start slowly with use of magnets or tiny, "leave in", needles called press tacks. These needles barely pierce the skin and are able to be left in for several days.
2) How many times do I need to come before I see improvement in my condition? - Every person is different and every condition / pathology is different. Some people have had their condition for several years while, for others, the issue is only days or weeks old. Many times people feel improvement right away or within a few hours or days. Others may need several sessions before noticing a difference and the progress may be slower or less dramatic. Many people see a change in another aspect of their health before they see a change in the main condition - for example, a person may come to the office for treatment of migraines, but they notice they feel calmer at work, less stressed, and are sleeping better, before their migraines improve. I usually ask new clients to come for treatments at least once weekly for 4-6 weeks in order to really get an idea of how their body will respond to the treatments. Similarly, most physical therapists ask clients to come 2-3 times per week for 6-12 weeks for treatments.
3) Can I continue my Physical Therapy, Chiropractic, Massage, Yoga ... while receiving Acupuncture? YES! All of these therapies work together to heal the body in different ways. Having a balance of these specially trained providers - is like having your own "pit crew" of experts doing their part to keep you running smoothly.
4) Does insurance cover Acupuncture? Maybe ... Every insurance is different based on what the employer chooses to have for services within their plan. Some insurances only cover certain diagnoses, such as back pain or tension headache. Also, if an insurance plan does cover Acupuncture, most have a limit to the number of treatment sessions they allow per year or a dollar figure they will reimburse. Most require a copay, just as in a Western Medicine office. Please call your insurance to see if you are covered for Acupuncture.
Massage Therapy by Annette Glaser, L.M.T.
Acupuncture and Complementary Family Care is fortunate to have Annette Glaser, LMT on site to provide therapeutic massage for any form of musculoskeletal health.
Annette is licensed to practice as a Massage Therapist by the State of New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. An independant practitioner, Annette offers a variety of massage treatment styles as well as Therapeutic Touch. Each treatment is individualized for the client and may include Neuromuscular, Trigger Point, Deep Tissue, and/or Swedish Massage. Also, Annette may perform Acupressure, Hand & Foot Reflexology, or Skeletal/Joint Manipulation as part of your customized session.
Research continues to show the enormous benefits of touch—which range from treating chronic diseases, neurological disorders, and injuries, to alleviating the tensions of modern lifestyles. The benefits of a deep tissue massage include: relief of "knots" of myofacial tension and reduced strain on the joints, thereby reducing pain and loss of range of motion.
Experts estimate that upward of ninety percent of disease is stress related. And perhaps nothing ages us faster, internally and externally, than high stress. While eliminating anxiety and pressure altogether in this fast-paced world may be idealistic, massage can, without a doubt, help manage stress. This translates into:
- Decreased anxiety.
- Enhanced sleep quality.
- Greater energy.
- Improved concentration.
- Increased circulation.
- Reduced fatigue.
Furthermore, clients often report a sense of perspective and clarity after receiving a massage. The emotional balance bodywork provides can often be just as vital and valuable as the more tangible physical benefits.
Massage creates specific physiological and chemical changes within the body. Research shows that with massage:
- Arthritis sufferers report reduced pain
- Asthmatic children show better pulmonary function and increased peak air flow.
- High blood pressure patients demonstrate lower diastolic blood pressure, anxiety, and stress hormones.
- Premenstrual syndrome sufferers have decreased water retention and cramping.
Increase the Benefits with Frequent Visits: Taking part in this form of regularly scheduled self-care can play a huge part in how healthy you'll be and how youthful you'll remain with each passing year. And remember, just because massage feels like a pampering treat doesn't mean it is any less therapeutic. Consider massage appointments a necessary piece of your health and wellness plan.
For an appointment, please call Annette directly at (603) 682-9094.