If you are interested in becoming a new patient, please call Anne at (216) 378-9773 during office hours, Monday through Saturday, to discuss your case and the scheduling of your appointment. If you get the answering machine, it means Anne is with a patient and cannot answer the phone. You may also email your inquiry to aknchn@cs.com
If you have not received a reply within 24 hours, please try again.
Patient Intake Medical History Form
Please download the form, complete it legibly and bring it with you to your first appointment. Don’t forget to include a list of all current medications and nutritional supplements. If you are seeing Anne for treatment of infertility, you must also download and fill out this form before your first appointment. These forms are .pdf files that require Adobe Acrobat to open.
If you are not able to print out the form, please come to your appointment 20 minutes early and you can fill one out in the waiting area.
Preparation the Day of Your Scheduled Appointment
Acupuncture moves a lot of energy in your body. You should have something to eat within two hours of your scheduled appointment time so your body has energy to move. If you can’t have a meal, a nutritious snack is OK. A bag of chips and a can of pop does not count as a nutritious snack.
Most treatments do not require the removal of any clothing. If you are being treated for something like knee, shoulder or elbow pain, wear clothing that will allow access to those areas such as shorts, baggy pants and tank tops. No matter what you are being treated for, it is advisable to wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing.
The Tongue
Additionally, if you are being treated for anything other than a simple orthopedic matter, please do NOT brush or scrape the coating from your tongue on that day. Tongue analysis is one of the unique aspects of Oriental medical diagnosis, and seeing the tongue in its natural state will greatly assist me in establishing a treatment strategy.
Treatments
The typical visit lasts 60 minutes. The first visit may last longer since Anne takes your medical history and you may have some questions for her. If you require more than 90 minutes for the first consultation, please note there will be an additional charge.
You are welcome to bring a friend or family member to your appointment, and if you wish they may accompany you in the treatment room. Most patients prefer to do the medical history interview portion of the appointment privately. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Cell phones and pagers should be turned off to ensure maximum relaxation once you have entered the treatment room.
How Many Treatments Will It Take?
This is difficult to answer since there are several mitigating factors. The duration of the illness, i.e. how long you have had the problem, and the relative strength of the patient are the first variables to be considered. Other factors which may inhibit progress can be dietary indiscretions, chronic emotional or physical stress, etc. Generally there is improvement within 3 to 4 treatments. Often treatments need to be spaced close together (2 to 3 times per week) to see improvement in the beginning. As cases begin to improve, treatment frequency can be tapered off. My job as an acupuncturist is often the easiest part of the equation. Every patient will be advised on whatever area of their life that needs to be considered in order for them to find the harmonious balance which is the path to true health and longevity.
There are other professionals in a variety of disciplines available to assist you which I may recommend. A list of preferred medical doctors, psychologists, massage therapists, physical therapists and energy healers personally selected by me will be made available to patients on an as needed basis. With a patient’s express permission, an interdisciplinary effort can be made, ensuring efficient care.
Payment and Cancellation Policies
Payment by check or cash only. Anne does not accept any credit cards. Make checks payable to Anne Kinchen, R. Ac. Payment in full is expected at the time the services are rendered.
A $20 charge for the first check returned by the bank. If a second check is returned, subsequent payments must be money order or cash. HCVA forms for insurance reimbursement are available for $10.
If you must cancel your appointment, call as soon as possible to give Anne a chance to rebook your time slot. You must call before 5:00 pm the day before your appointment or else you will be charged in full for your cancelled appointment. Exceptions can be made for medical emergencies.
If Anne must cancel your session for any reason and cannot reach you or leave a message with a family member or your voice mail before 5:00 the day before, your rescheduled appointment will be no charge.
If you miss an appointment, you will be charged for it. Payment is expected either at the next appointment or by mail. If for some reason Anne misses your appointment, you will, of course, not be charged for it and your rescheduled appointment will be at no charge.
Living in Northeast Ohio means you will eventually have to deal with snow storms. In the event of severe winter weather, (not flurries) the 5:00 cancellation policy is temporarily suspended. Please call Anne as soon as possible if you can’t make your appointment because of the weather. Leave a message on the machine if you have to. Anne will do likewise if she can’t make it because of the weather.
If you don’t call and you don’t show up, you will be charged for your appointment regardless of the weather.
Phone Calls
Phone calls are returned weekdays. Phone calls are returned each Monday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm. Phone calls received on the weekend will be returned the following Monday morning.
