New Patients
Planning for your first appointment
Note: For the treatment of minors, the parent or guardian must be present in the treatment room with the minor and practitioner at all times during the treatment
New Patient Forms
If you are a new patient to the SBU clinics, please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment time to fill out the new patient forms.
If you want to shorten your waiting time, please download, fill out, and bring the following forms at the time of your first visit. These PDF forms are fillable.
No Show/Cancellation Policy
We make every effort to see you at your scheduled time and ask that you extend the same courtesy to us.
Please arrive on time for your visit. If you arrive late, we may find it necessary to reschedule your appointment to another date and time.
A fee will be charged for all missed appointments not canceled at least 24 hours prior to the appointment time. The fee will be $10.00 and you will be financially responsible for the fee. Appointments must be canceled with a clinic staff only.
After a third missed appointment or late cancellation, we may be unable to schedule an additional appointment for you.
Payment
SBU Clinics accept payment in the form of cash, check or credit card. While we do not bill insurance directly, we can provide you with a billing summary which you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.
Low-income and seniors discounts are available. Please ask our clinic staff for details.
What to prepare prior to the visit
We recommend that you do not arrive for your treatment on an empty stomach. Please eat a light snack or meal prior to your appointment. Also, be sure to drink plenty of water before and after your treatment. A person suspected of being under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol will be not be seen and a refund will not be given.
What to expect during the treatment
Treatments are approximately 1 to 1.5 hours in length. A comprehensive medical history will be taken during your initial visit. At each visit, the intern or practitioner will conduct a 15-20-minute intake, including a tongue and pulse diagnosis. Once the needles are placed into position, the patient will rest for 20-30 minutes. After completion of the treatment, a custom herbal formula is prepared to address and harmonize the condition.
Your practitioner will determine the number and frequency of your visits. If you are unsure of when you should make your next follow-up visit, please let us know.
It is not uncommon to occasionally experience a bruise or soreness at the site of an acupuncture needle in the days following your treatment. For most people, this should not be a cause for concern but do not hesitate to call if you have any questions.