WHAT’S IN A VISIT + FAQs
“Acupuncture at Life Healing Life is just different.”
More Time Together
I see 15 - 20 women per week in the same time most providers see 25, 30, even 50. We spend more valuable time together that helps your care go beyond the end of your treatment.
Nuanced Treatments
I practice in an extremely education and person-centered way. Each visit is about selecting the best points, techniques, education, and conversations that will help you the most.
Beyond Acupuncture
I leave time in my schedule to communicate with you between visits, answer your emails, stay up to speed on the latest research, and be on-call for our time-sensitive needs.
20 minutes of chatting and education 10 minutes of placing needles and continued chatting 25 - 35 minutes of cozy and quiet rest or guided meditation with needles in place 5 - 10 minutes of Tui Na (Chinese massage) abdominal therapy (massage) or other accessory techniques
TECHNIQUES
I often add accessory techniques to your treatments which may include cupping, moxibustion (a treatment to warm various acupuncture points), Gua Sha (dermal friction), castor packs, and electro-stim for improving uterine blood flow or other circulatory and pain concerns.
I am also trained in Abdominal Therapy (massage) and use those techniques as needed.
There are no additional costs for any accessory techniques used during your treatment. Take home treatments like full sticker needle sets for IVF, topical treatments, or herbs have an additional fee which will always be outlined.
COMFORTS
You’ll have comforts like an eye pillow, bell to ring if you need anything, relaxing white noise, music, or meditations, plus infrared heaters and aromatherapy.
EDUCATION
Original resources and handouts on any covered education are emailed after each visit so you have what you need to continue the momentum we start when we’re together.
PATIENT FAQs
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My practice is usually near capacity, but as of 2023 I transitions from a wait list to a standby list.
This means you may get in right away if you’re flexible on scheduling.
If you’d like to see the openings I currently have on stand-by, simply fill out my ‘Get Started’ form and I’ll reply with a password that allows you to see my last minute openings (on a rolling two-week basis).
This is just like flying on standby. If there’s room and you can make it work, you can take it!
You can take as many standby visits as you like while you wait for full access to my schedule (and a rolling two-month access to my schedule). -
I see patients at my office:
Mondays 12:30 - 6pm
Wednesdays 2:30 - 8pm
Fridays 10:30 - 3pmI offer virtual visits online:
Tuesdays 1 - 5pm
Fridays 9 - 10amI'm on-call for time-sensitive IVF and other needs in the mornings 6 days a week, most weeks. When I’m not doing on-call visits I’m working on writing and creating original online education content to make great fertility care more accessible to all!
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If you are working with LHL/Nicole she will follow along with every step of your cycle and communicate throughout. As your transfer date becomes clear and confirmed, Nicole will add a longer on-site IVF clinic block of coverage to her schedule for you.
Nicole is available:
Mondays until at least noon
Tuesdays all day
Wednesdays until at least 1:30pm
Thursday all day
Friday on a case by case basis
Saturdays and Sundays all day
If you are established with Nicole she attends 95% of her patient transfers. If there is any possible conflict she will help you line up a back up option you feel confident in (you will not be left to find someone on your own).
Because Nicole offers such high level coverage and care, she does not take many one-time embryo transfer patients, but she will occasionally add one or two per month. You can always ask. If she can’t, she’ll point you in some good directions and give you some free resources no matter what. -
The most effective way to reach me is via email — so always email me any time sensitive IVF or treatments updates or needs. I do not regularly check my voicemail.
Only text if you have immediate needs — like you’re waiting outside the door or running late. If you just want to see what I’m up to please head to my social links at bottom of this page.
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I ask for at least 48 hours notice whenever possible. If you need to cancel a visit please read over my complete Cancellations Guide.
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My clinic is in a beautiful and historic co-op building in midtown Minneapolis. You can find all the parking suggestions in my Visitor Arrival Guide, which you can also access from your visit reminder emails.
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I believe in transparency! Take a look at my complete menu of Services and Rates which is always available to view on my site.
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The short answer is no — because it does not allow me to practice the way I feel best serves you. But read my article to understand more and find ways to make visits work with your budget.
You may be able to submit your receipts to get reimbursed by your insurance company if they cover acupuncture. Call your insurance provider and ask them for details. If they need my provider ID or a diagnosis or treatment code you can find those details here.
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You can choose to either pay in person after your treatment is finished, or an invoice can be emailed within one week for secure online payment. I prefer the invoice option after an IVF transfer visit to allow you to focus on your big day.
I accept credit, debit, and HSA card payments. Cash or check can also be taken in person.
TREATMENT FAQs
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We can absolutely make progress no matter where you are in your journey — doing IUI, IVF, trying au naturale, thinking of living child free, or adopting. In fact, most women see so much benefit they continue some level of care during their pregnancies too. If you feel you could have more balance in your body and mind, we can work on it!
Frequency should always honor your unique circumstances. Consider your time, energy, finances, desires, and how our sessions actually feel for your body and mind — then decide what frequency works for you. I see women anywhere from once a month to weekly. Rarely do I see more than weekly with the exception of embryo transfer weeks.
Many fertility acupuncture clinics suggest two treatments per week. I feel strongly that this is not helpful for most women and usually stresses them out! My success rates are much higher than the average clinic and I do fewer treatments. Visits should make your life feel MORE balanced and sane, never less -- and if you like science and more concrete suggestions for IVF here's a great post!
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Please wear clothing you feel comfortable laying down in for 30 minutes. If I can’t access your legs to above the knees, your arms to above the elbows, your back or abdomen, I may ask if you are comfortable taking off clothing and being draped or gowned. Your comfort level will always be honored and you can always say no.
If you wear a hijab or wig you are welcome to keep it on or remove it as you are comfortable.
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Please eat something within 4 - 5 hours of your visits and avoid extreme exercise or fatigue prior to acupuncture. If you’re overly hungry or exhausted acupuncture may result in feeling light-headed or nauseated, especially if you’ve experienced these things with blood draws in the past.
You can resume normal activities after acupuncture, but with your nervous system “reset” and your body out of fight, flight, freeze mode I encourage you to enjoy, maintain, and build from there using reframes and sustainable lifestyle choices we will discuss.
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If you’re nervous about needles — that’s okay, even normal — let me know! I have some great techniques to help you give it a try and most people end up loving their treatments.
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Not only is it safe, it’s helpful! Check out this amazing info to see why.
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It cannot. If an acupuncture abortion were possible there would be a huge demand. Research shows acupuncture does not increase miscarriage rates, and helps viable pregnancies thrive.
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Acupuncture is appropriate at any phase of your menstrual cycle! I will always follow where you are in your cycle and adjust my point selection to best fit your current phase.
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Definitely! Whether you start 6 months prior or right in the thick of a cycle, I've created a great IVF Support page to help you understand how TCM views fertility and a page to go over LHL embryo transfer logistics.
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Day of embryo transfer acupuncture is well-studied and can be a great layer of care. Take a look at this useful page to learn the data — as well as the big picture way — to really know if this option is a good fit for you. I do prioritize day of transfer care for patients I've worked with in advance, and only add a limited number of non-patient transfers per month.