Information for New Acupuncture Patients

Congratulations on your decision to try acupuncture! New acupuncture patients find it to be a rewarding experience on many levels. The needles are thin, my style is gentle, and you will feel better as your body comes back into balance. In addition to experiencing a decrease in pain, you should also feel more relaxed, energetic and at peace with the world. If you still have questions, you are welcome to email, text, or phone to set up a phone or video consultation.

Please download, print, and complete the New Acupuncture Patient Intake Form and bring it to your first appointment. If you’d like to complete it at my office, please arrive 15 minutes early to do so. Please review Acupuncture COVID-19 Precautions before you come in. If you’d like to see the office’s HIPPA policies, you can download them here:  Notice of Privacy Practices.

As a new acupuncture patient, you’ll be scheduled for a 1.5-hour session. Because acupuncture is a holistic medicine, we will conduct a thorough verbal intake, covering not just your chief complaint but other aspects of your health and wellness and will answer any questions you have along the way. You can expect an acupuncture physical exam that includes looking at your tongue, feeling your pulses, palpating injuries for pain and discomfort, and pressing different locations on your abdomen. We may also measure your blood pressure and heart rate.

Based on the information gathered, we will formulate an acupuncture medical diagnosis and treatment plan that includes a discussion of the Stages of Acupuncture Care. The plan will include a prognosis describing the percentage improvement I would expect for your condition after a specified number of treatments, along with possible herbal formulas, and nutritional and/or lifestyle recommendations. I will explain this to you in detail and answer any questions you may have during and after the acupuncture treatment.

For Best Acupuncture Treatment Results:

  • Download and complete the  New Acupuncture Patient Intake Form, and bring it with you to your appointment
  • Show up on time, with food in your stomach (your body will need the energy to make changes, as directed by the acupuncture)
  • Wear loose, comfortable clothes
  • Discuss any/all of your questions and concerns
  • Refrain from heavy exercise, drugs or alcohol for at least six hours after treatment
  • Follow your treatment plan

Acupuncture Costs (Medical Fee Schedule):

Procedure Same day discount
(payment at time of service)
Regular fees (used for billing insurance, etc.)
Returning Visit (includes acupuncture, 55 minutes) $105 $145
Returning Visit (includes acupuncture 2-sides, 1 hour 15 – 25 minutes) $140 $200
Initial Visit Evaluation/Acupuncture (1 hour 25 min to 1 hour 55 minutes, depending on complexity) $160 – $200 $240 – $280
Massage/Manual Therapy $45 $70
Electro stimulation $25 $35
Suction Cups/ Guasha-Scraping $60 $85

Functional Medicine Costs (Medical Fee Schedule):

Procedure Same day discount
(payment at time of service)
Functional Medicine Consultation (15 minutes) $75
Functional Medicine Consultation (30 minutes) $150
Initial Functional Medicine Consultation (60 minutes) $300

Payment: Cash, checks, credit cards, and HSA (Health Savings Account) cards. 

Health Insurance

If you’d like to know if your health insurance provides acupuncture coverage for services that I provide, download, complete, and email (bdierauf@gmail.com) or fax (925-403-1001) the Acupuncture Insurance Coverage Inquiry Form, along with digital photos of the front and back of your Health Insurance Card.

Missed Acupuncture Appointment Policy

As a courtesy to wait-listed patients, if you need to change or cancel your acupuncture appointment, please give at least a 24-hour advance notice. Otherwise, the full price of your appointment will be charged.

Please be on time. If you know that you will be late, please call. Every effort will be made to reschedule you for a later time. If an emergency prevents you from keeping your appointment, arrangements can be made. Fees for missed appointments are NOT covered by insurance.

Lafayette Acupuncture & Functional Medicine Hours:

Mondays: 10:00am – 7:00pm
Tuesdays: 10:00am – 2:00pm (Functional Telemedicine)
Wednesdays: 10:00am – 7:00pm
Thursdays: 10:00am – 2:00pm (Functional Telemedicine)
Fridays: 10:00am – 7:00pm

Acupuncture Home Visits:

Due to COVID-19 issues we are currently not doing home visits.

Lafayette Acupuncture & Functional Medicine:
Experienced Acupuncturist & Functional Medicine Provider serving Lafayette acupuncture Moraga acupuncture Orinda acupuncture Pleasant Hill acupuncture Concord acupuncture Walnut Creek, acupuncture Alamo acupuncture Danville acupuncture San Ramon acupuncture Dublin acupuncture, Contra Costa & Alameda
Counties, and the Greater East Bay Area.