How are we different? Our process is focused entirely on you.
Modern life can cause inflammation, stress, pain, and chronic illness, and many of these problems aren’t well addressed by doctors. Many patients are tired of 5-minute office visits or pills that just cause new issues.
At Centered: Richmond, our acupuncture provider creates a refreshing patient experience. We get to know you and work to help you finally feel healthy, clear-headed, productive, and pain-free.
[Transcript available on YouTube link]. This is an old video; the clinic got a facelift, but the principles still apply.
About Becoming a Patient at Centered: Richmond
What Makes Care at Centered Different?
At Centered: Richmond Acupuncture & Wellness, we do things a little differently—on purpose. Here are four key ways our approach stands apart from the healthcare experience you might be used to:
1. We Actually Listen
That goes for me and for every member of my staff. We believe the more we understand about your health story, the better we can help. You’ll see this right away in our detailed intake process and in the way I encourage you to share—even the things that seem minor. In Chinese medicine, the small details often matter most.
2. You’ll Get a Clear, Personalized Plan
First, we figure out what you want. Do you want your symptoms completely gone? Or would getting them to a more manageable level feel like a win? Once we know your goals, I’ll give you a step-by-step plan to help get you there—realistically, collaboratively, and with built-in check-ins along the way.
3. We Look for Root Causes, Not Just Symptoms
I don’t just want to know what you’re experiencing—I want to understand why. We’ll dig into patterns and possible triggers: Did things start after an illness or surgery? Are your mood, digestion, and pain all part of the same picture? Could poor circulation be contributing to inflammation, fatigue, or feeling cold all the time? My job is to connect the dots and create an individualized treatment strategy based on what we find.
4. We Make It Make Sense
I know acupuncture and herbal medicine might seem a little unfamiliar—maybe even a little weird at first. I get it. I thought so too when I started this journey. That’s why I take time to explain things in clear, approachable language. I’ll teach you how your body works, how treatments are designed to help, and what to expect. When you understand the process, it’s easier to stay motivated—and that’s where real change happens.
How We Track Progress & Know if It’s Working
My clinic is results-focused, and that means making sure you’re actually getting better.
While treatment plans can span weeks or months, I usually have a clear sense within the first 4–6 weeks of whether we’re on the right track. To help with that, I’ll have you rate and track your symptoms regularly, either daily or weekly. I review these “symptom tracker” reports to monitor your progress and make sure it lines up with what we both expect.
We’ll check in often to decide—together—if acupuncture is helping, if any herbs are doing what they should, and if we need to make any adjustments to your plan.
I fully understand that time and money are limited, and I take that seriously. In my experience, about 2% of people just don’t respond well to acupuncture or herbs, or progress so slowly that it may not be worth continuing. If I suspect that might be the case for you, I’ll be honest and let you know early on.
Ideally, it will be clear to us both that you are making clear progress.
Cost, Insurance & What to Expect
During your free consultation, we’ll walk you through the cost of care based on your specific needs. You’ll get clear, upfront pricing and a treatment plan designed to help you start seeing real progress.
If I recommend Chinese herbs—which I often do for internal health issues—those will be included in your plan so there are no surprises. I’ll also share payment options that offer a nice discount on the full cost of care.
Once your initial plan is complete, I’m happy to talk about what follow-up care might look like. But just to be clear: my goal isn’t to keep you coming in forever. I want you to get better—and stay better—so you can feel like yourself again without needing ongoing treatment.
You’re welcome to use HSA or FSA funds here at Centered.
We don’t bill insurance directly. Since most plans don’t fully cover acupuncture, most of our patients choose to self-pay. If your insurance does offer out-of-network reimbursement, we’re happy to give you the paperwork you’ll need to submit a claim.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
This is one of our favorite questions—because while there’s still more to discover, we now know quite a bit about how and why acupuncture works. And the evidence is growing every year.
At its core, acupuncture creates a controlled, micro-level “therapeutic injury” in the tissue—just enough to trigger your body’s natural healing response without causing harm. When a tiny needle enters the skin, your immune system activates a cascade of processes known as acute inflammation. Specialized cells and proteins rush to the area to promote tissue repair, modulate pain signals, and even improve how the body handles unrelated problems. It’s a reset, of sorts—both local and systemic.
Research also shows that acupuncture increases blood flow, reduces inflammation, and can stimulate specific areas of the brain associated with pain modulation, mood regulation, and organ function. We’re beginning to map the neural and biochemical effects of acupuncture in real time, and what we’re learning is fascinating. As Time Magazine described in a widely shared article, acupuncture doesn’t just work—it works with your body in highly intelligent ways.
I often compare acupuncture (and Chinese medicine in general) to physical therapy: it’s a process of retraining. You’re not just masking symptoms—you’re helping the body restore proper function. In that sense, treatment is like using training wheels. The goal isn’t to rely on them forever—it’s to build resilience so you don’t need them at all.
That said, everyone responds at their own pace. Some conditions respond quickly; others take more time. While we do have some patients who benefit from ongoing care (especially older adults or those with lifelong conditions), most people don’t need to come in forever. My job is to help your body do what it already knows how to do—heal—and then step back when it’s time.
When I was growing up my dad wanted me to go to business school and work for myself, but I wanted to be a psychologist and help others. I was raised in a small town in southwest Virginia, where most people had never heard of acupuncture, and many thought it was quackery, or worse. On top of that, I really loved science and medicine and was extremely skeptical of everything that didn’t provide hard, cold proof that it worked.
With that background, it is really amazing that I ended up here. Let me tell you how I was left in awe of the power of Chinese medicine, and never looked back. Read more about Maegan here…
Why We Start Every New Patient with a Complimentary Consultation
We begin every new patient relationship with a complimentary consultation before starting care. This time is essential for us to understand your unique situation and create the most effective, personalized plan possible.
Here’s why we take this approach:
- Not every patient is a candidate for acupuncture. We want to make sure our treatments are the right fit for you before you invest your time and money.
- The details of your case matter. Every person’s health history, symptoms, and goals are different—and your treatment plan should reflect that.
- A physical exam is often essential. Certain information can only be gathered in person, so we prefer to meet you before recommending care.
- We believe in transparency. Many acupuncturists can’t tell you how many treatments you’ll need because they don’t take the time to evaluate your case first. We do.
- We’re upfront about timelines and costs. We’ll tell you what it will realistically take to reach your goals and how much that will cost, with no surprises later.
- We offer customized payment plans. Once we understand your case, we can recommend the plan that saves you money and provides the most flexibility.
We understand that coming in for a consultation before starting care can feel like an extra step—but it’s what allows us to create an individualized plan that truly fits you. It ensures we’re addressing your symptoms at their root and setting you up for the best possible results.
