Community Clinic FAQ

Thursday noon – 3pm      Saturday 9am – 12pm     Check twitter for schedule changes.

Please arrive 1/2 hour before the close of clinic to ensure time for treatment.

Acupuncture | Chinese Herbal Medicine | Therapeutic Massage | Community Clinic | N.A.E.T. | Qualifications

Where is the Community Clinic?
The Community Clinic is located here at Mystic River Acupuncture at 167 Broad St., Groton.

What kinds of things can you treat in Community Clinic?
We treat less severe and less complicated things in Community Clinic.

Fatigue, stress, difficulty sleeping tennis elbow, uncomplicated knee or ankle pain, recent sports injuries, mild neck pain, tension headaches, mild anxiety, day to day respiratory problems (such as common cold or seasonal allergies), tummy upset (such as heartburn, constipation, and overeating), PMS and premenstrual tension are all some of the things we treat in Community Clinic. Generally speaking, any stress-aggravated problem is treatable in our clinic. You may call if you have questions about whether your condition is appropriate for the Community Clinic.

What kinds of things are not good for Community Clinic?
We do not treat more serious conditions in Community Clinic.

We can treat allergies or common colds, but asthma and upper respiratory infections need to be treated in private sessions. Gastro-intestinal issues of colitis, IBS, Crohn’s disease are best treated privately. While community sessions may help with daily to day stress and anxiety, you need a full evaluation if you suffer from anxiety and panic attack disorders or depression. Mild menstrual issues can be relieved in clinic, but more serious conditions like endometriosis or PCOS need more attention than we can give in a short focused treatment. Migraine headaches, severe fatigue syndromes, and complications of pregnancy also need a more thorough evaluation.

Because you do not remove clothing in Community Clinic, things like severe low back and neck pain or sciatica may be better treated privately. Sometimes mild pain in these locations can be maintained in Community Clinic once you have seen an acupuncturist for full sessions.

Why would I choose Community Clinic over a private session?
Patients have many reasons for choosing community clinic.

Your practitioner may suggest clinic because that is all you need for a small area of your body (such as tennis elbow, bunions, or mild headache). We try to make our treatments as affordable as possible, so will let you know if your condition is easily treated in a community setting. Given the choice, many prefer to remain in private treatment while others choose the clinic.

Some people with time constraints prefer community clinic because treatment is focused and quick. Patients often try to schedule lunch time appointments. If time is an issue, please let your practitioner know before your session. That way we can be mindful of timing for you.

Others like the fact that Community Clinic intake evaluations are less involved. Because the treatment is focused on one or two issues, we do not need as much information from you, and the treatments do not take as long. A friend of mine refers to our clinic as “express acupuncture”.

Often people just need a simple balancing treatment or acupuncture for daily stress. Perhaps they merely want a preventive boost to their immune system while they are feeling healthy. Others like a seasonal “tune up”. Community Acupuncture is perfect for them.

Many people choose the Community Clinic because it is affordable. This was the original intent of establishing our clinic. We now see it has a much wider benefit. The low fee makes weekly treatments easier to afford. It also makes it easier for people to double up on treatments when they need to come more than once a week.

Some patients enjoy the community aspect of our clinic. They like the open environment and enjoy seeing other people. Friends can come together for treatment, and then share a light meal or snack at one of our area’s luncheon spots. People can just stop in if they are out running errands. We are conveniently located near both Groton and New London are shopping districts.

For those who wish to share a bit of exercise before or after treatment, Fort Griswold and the Thames River are a pleasant walk from our office. Bluff Point is an easy ride by car. Although drop-ins are welcome, it is a good idea to call ahead to see how busy we are, and to schedule a time slot if you know your schedule. That way you will avoid waiting if it’s a busy clinic day.

I have an acupuncturist somewhere else. Can I still come to your clinic?
Absolutely.Our Community Clinic will not interfere with your existing treatment plan.

Not only can you come, but your acupuncturist can be in touch with us so you will have a coordinated treatment plan. You can keep seeing your acupuncturist privately and come to our community clinic in between sessions.

Will the same acupuncturist treat me each time?
Most likely you will see the same acupuncturist regularly.

However, we cannot guarantee this, as we often cover for each other. In Community Clinic we do not contact patients in advance to notify them a change of practitioner. However, if we know about a scheduled change ahead of time, we do try to let you know while you are here. We keep good records of your treatments, and we are in constant communication with each other. You don’t have to worry about consistency of care if you see a new face at community clinic. All clinic acupuncturists are fully licensed in Connecticut.

Can I do both? Come to Community Clinic and get private acupuncture?
Yes.  If you are being treated for a more serious problem, you may be able to receive follow-up treatments in Community Clinic.

For instance, some of our patients dealing with chemotherapy can get pain relief in community clinic once they have been fully evaluated. If you are receiving privately scheduled acupuncture, follow-up treatment for things like morning sickness, maintenance of migraines, serious respiratory or gastric symptoms, and some pain conditions might be done in Community Clinic. In these cases your acupuncturist will be in touch with the clinic and will direct your treatment.

Do you prescribe herbs in Community Clinic?
At this time we do not prescribe herbs. We may dispense a formula in the form of tablets or patents for minor ailments, but we are not able to evaluate and write a prescription in this Community Clinic.

I hope to establish a community herbal clinic, so let us know if this is something you are interested in. We’ll let you know when the herbal clinic is available.

Does insurance cover Community Acupuncture?
Payment is expected at time of service. We do not accept insurance in Community Clinic.

This allows us to keep the cost down. If you need to use your health insurance, or you need forms suitable for submitting to your provider for reimbursement, then you should make a regular acupuncture appointment.

Although we don’t fill out insurance forms or provide CPT and ICD codes in Community Clinic, we do give you a simple receipt for service. You can usually be reimbursed from a health savings account with this.