Over the phone I was quoted $95 for an initial consultation visit, acupuncture and cupping session. I asked if they would honor the GroupOn and they said yes, so I purchase a $33 Groupon and booked the appointment. I arrived early and the receptionist was friendly. The office was clean and relaxing, however there was a big curio cabinet in the reception area, and instead of the normal products one would find at an acupuncture/Massage clinic, it was empty. (I just fount that odd)
The room I was led to was also sparse. I don't recall anything on the walls, and it was very clinical. My therapists, Julie, took notes on my history, and checked my neck and shoulder area for tension. (Which she found a lot of). I told her I have had lower and upper back problems for over 20 years, yet she only focued on the upper neck area. I've been to many acupuncturists, and until today, they addressed all of the areas of concern.
She placed about 10 needles in my neck and shoulders and said she would see me in 20-30 for the cupping. I found it odd that she never came in to adjust the needles; every other acupuncturist I've been to always come in at least once to twist the needles.
There was some relaxing music that played off and on during the treatment, however, I couldn't really hear it as there was something that sounded like a loud fan running the whole time. I eventually fell asleep, until Julie came back in the room.
She took the needles out, and I don't recall her wiping the areas down after, like other therapists do. Nor did she rub each spot, like most other therapists do.
She started placing the cups around my neck and upper back, (the suction kind, instead of the traditional glass ones that are heated with Flame before applied). It hurt so bad, but I suffered through it hoping I would feel relief afterwards. I know it's been over a year since my last cupping session, but it never hurt like today. I think she over suctioned them.
I had to ask her to do my lower back as well. I've never had to ask for that before. All of the muscles, from the gluts to the neck, are connected; and every other cupping session I've ever had, they've done from my neck to my gluteus. I was really hoping for a full neck, upper back, middle back and lower back release, as I am very tense all over.
Now, anyone who has ever had cupping done knows that some hickey action happens, however, I have what looks like full blown hematomas, in every spot the cups were placed. I've never bruised up this badly before. I understand that I haven't had a session in more than a year, and I am super tense right now, however, again, I think they were over suctioned.
Once the cupping session was complete (after about 15 minutes) she said, "okay, your done" and left the room. She didn't even rub anything on the areas that were cupped. Usually the therapist rubs an herbal ointment on to help alleviate the bruising and soothe the area. She didn't even do a quick massage on the neck and shoulders. I don't know, maybe I've just been spoiled in the past.
My appointment was at 2:30. She started the consult at 2:33 (I always check the start time and end time at a new place), and ended the session at 3:35.
I felt no relief after the session; in fact by the time I got home I had a full blown migraine. The areas that were cupped are still standing out about an eighth of an inch, and hurt to touch. After a ton of water, heat and cold pack rotation, and several migraine pills later, my migraine has subsided, but my neck and back are feeling worse than before I went in.
Had I not had the groupon I would have had a very hard time paying the initial visit price of $95. Who knows, maybe because I had a Groupon (at 1/3 the cost) I received 1/3 the treatment.
Needless to say, I will not be returning to Simple Health Acupuncture.
Two stars. One for the friendliness of the staff, and one for the cleanliness of the reception area & the comfort of the couch. Oh, and the sheets on the Massage table smelled very fresh and clean. read more