Vickery Health & Wellness

Acupuncture is an effective form of health care that has evolved into a complete and holistic medical system. Practitioners of acupuncture and Chinese medicine have used this noninvasive medical system to diagnose and help millions of people get well and stay healthy.

An acupuncturist will place fine, sterile needles at specific acupoints on the body. This activates the body’s Qi and promotes natural healing by enhancing recuperative power, immunity and physical and emotional health. It also can improve overall function and well-being. It is a safe, painless and effective way to treat a wide variety of medical problems.

During the initial exam a full health history will be taken. Questions will be asked regarding symptoms, health and lifestyle. Your acupuncturist also may check pulses and your tongue and may conduct a physical exam. This information is then organized to create a complete, accurate and comprehensive diagnosis of where Qi has become blocked or imbalanced. After the interview process, you may receive an acupuncture treatment. Visits with your acupuncturist may last from thirty to ninety minutes.

There are twelve pulse positions on each wrist that your acupuncturist will palpate. Each position corresponds to a specific meridian and organ. Your acupuncturist will be looking for twenty-seven individual qualities that reflect overall health. If there are any problems, they may appear in the pulse.

The tongue is a map of the body. It reflects the general health of the organs and meridians. Your acupuncturist will look at the color, shape, cracks and coating on your tongue.

Herbs can be a powerful adjunct to acupuncture care. They are used to strengthen, build and support the body or to clear it of excess problems like a cold, fever or acute pain. Your practitioner may suggest starting with herbs and then adding acupuncture to your treatment in the future. This is suggested to build up your internal strength so you can receive the full benefits acupuncture has to offer.

Yes. In some instances children actually respond more quickly than adults. If your child has an aversion to needles, your acupuncturist may massage the acupuncture points. This is called acupressure or tuina.

The number of treatments will vary from person to person. Some people experience immediate relief; others may take months or even years to achieve results. Chronic conditions usually take longer to resolve than acute ones. Plan on a minimum of a month to see significant changes.

Treatment frequency depends on a variety of factors: your constitution, the severity and duration of the problem and the quality and quantity of your Qi. An acupuncturist may suggest one or two treatments per week, or monthly visits for health maintenance and seasonal “tune ups”.

Rates vary and depend upon what procedures are performed. It is best to consult with your acupuncturist about costs.

Dr. Vickery is an in-network provider for some insurance companies. For all insurance patients, we will bill your insurer for you as a courtesy. For out-of-network patients EXCEPT Blue Shield patients, we will collect your co-pay/co-insurance at the time of your visit. Once insurance pays us, we will bill you for the remainder of the balance due. For out-of-network Blue Shield Patients, we will collect the entire balance due, and Blue Shield will directly reimburse you whatever amount they cover.

Most insurers have online portals to verify your own coverage and check on claims, but if you’re not sure or need help, call the office to have us verify your insurance.

We also honor the Choose Healthy discount program through Kaiser, Aetna and others. Proof of Choose Healthy insurance is required to qualify for the discount.

• Write down and bring any questions you have. We are here to help you.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing for easy access to acupuncture points.
• Do not eat large meals just before or after
  your visit.
• Refrain from overexertion, working out, drugs or alcohol for up to six hours after the visit.
• Avoid stressful situations. Make time to relax, and be sure to get plenty of rest.
• Between visits, take notes of any changes that may have occurred, such as the alleviation of pain, pain moving to other areas, or changes in the frequency and type of problems.

Acupuncture is extremely safe. It is an all-natural, drug-free therapy, yielding no side effects just feelings of relaxation and well-being. There is little danger of infection from acupuncture needles because they are sterile, used once, and then discarded.

Today, acupuncturists undertake three to four years of extensive and comprehensive graduate training at nationally certified schools. All acupuncturists must pass a national exam and meet strict guidelines to practice in every state.

Acupuncture is recognized by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to be effective in the treatment of a wide variety of medical problems. Below are some of the health concerns that acupuncture can effectively treat:

Expect your first visit to be anywhere from an hour and a half to two hours. Dr. Vickery will ask you a wide-ranging series of questions, take your pulse and look at your tongue before deciding which treatment protocol to use. Although some practitioners use the first visit merely to gather information, Dr. Vickery prefers to include an initial treatment.

You should feel free to ask plenty of questions, especially if this is your first visit, but even if you’re a seasoned veteran. And make sure you bring up anything and everything you’ve been experiencing, whether it seems connected to your current condition or not. Because acupuncture looks at the connection between all the body systems and between the body, mind and spirit, the more information you provide, the more effective your treatments will be.

The clinic is located on Ventura Blvd., in Woodland Hills. We’re across the street from Target in the Carlton Plaza Building. Check out the contact page for directions.

No. Dr. Vickery uses a very gentle technique to minimize and, in many cases, eliminate any discomfort. Patients may experience a slight prick or pinch when the needle is initially inserted, but there is no long-lasting pain.

Absolutely not. However, herbal therapy is a powerful adjunct to needle treatments, as are the essential oils. Dr. Vickery offers these options to continue your treatment throughout the week and allow faster health benefits.

She understands that not everyone is interested in using herbal medicine or essential oils, so she develops a treatment plan that works for each individual patient.