Frequently Asked Questions

Becoming a new patient with Thrive Acupuncture & Wellness is a simple process. The first step is making and appointment and downloading and filling out our new patient forms. See more details at the link below.

Become A New Patient

We, at Thrive Acupuncture and Wellness are very thorough in asking lots of questions to understand your specific concerns and conditions. From this initial consultation, they will customize a treatment plan specifically for you. The first appointment takes a little longer to go through all the necessary questions – after that you can expect a treatment appointment to last anywhere from 30 minutes to 60 minutes.

Additionally you can visit the Diplomate of Acupuncture brochure for additional information.

Acupuncture does way more than simply relieve the symptoms. The goal of Acupuncture is to treat the whole patient and restore balance between the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the individual. Many people also use acupuncture as a preventative treatment, which hands down, is the most important benefit.

Absolutely. Patients who get regular Acupuncture and Chinese Herb treatments find they stay healthier, have more energy and prevent other health issues from cropping up. 

Another patient concern is regarding side effects from the needles. The most common adverse side-effects are small bruises and and the possibility of light-headedness after treatment.

Acupuncture needles are solid, not hollow like hypodermic needles. There is nothing added to them or inside them. The average thickness (gauge) of the acupuncture needles used is 0.25 mm. To give you perspective, a needle for drawing blood for a blood test is typically 0.82mm.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine herbal medicine, also known as Chinese Herbology, is one of the primary modalities that is used to accompany and support Acupuncture. Chinese Herbology includes treatments with plants, roots, minerals and more. Like Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs have evolved as an integral part of Chinese medicine and is used alongside Acupuncture to re-harmonize imbalances in the body.

Chinese herb combinations are comprised of herbs formulated for each individual patient. This is crucial because these formulas must be delicately composed for the purpose of achieving balance in each disharmonious state of being. Even small deviations in dosage or herb composition can change the entire focus of the formula and therefore, the results.

Gong (pronounced gung, like”lung”) means skill in a given discipline, through training, cultivation, and focused, disciplined effort.  Together, the words refer to training, cultivation, and movement of vital energy, or the skill of working with the body’s electromagnetic field.

Alan Suhr holds a Master of Medical Qi Gong certification from the International Institute of Medical Qi Gong. Alan uses Qi Gong within his acupuncture practice as well as teaches classes throughout the area of the Black Hills.

However if you receive VA benefits – Acupuncture treatments are covered. You must get a referral from your VA medical provider to Thrive Acupuncture & Wellness. We not only do the treatments and manage your care, but we also file the paperwork for you.