For Whom Is This Service?
Medically homebound adults who cannot easily visit an Acupuncture clinic for care.
Individuals who are part of their in-home caregiving team, our services are offered to them at the same time the homebound adult receives Acupuncture.
Acupuncture home visits are not available for the convenience of an individual who would be able to visit an Acupuncture clinic for care, the exception is in-home caregiving members.
Benefits Of This Service
Individuals experience a reduction of the symptoms which are the focus of the treatments, for example: Sciatica, low back, neck, knee, arthritis and cancer pain, cancer-related fatigue, constipation, nausea, headaches and migraines, anxiety, depression, insomnia and itching of the skin. Many Acupuncture recipients report a sense of stress reduction, peace, ease and wellbeing as treatments have been said to release endorphins.
Offerings
What’s Included?
Acupuncture
Acupuncture, using Distal Style, meaning never needling the painful area directly, mostly needling the forearms and lower legs. No undressing is required, only the forearms and lower legs will be exposed. It is provided in a person’s home while they are seated, reclined or laying on their back.The treatment is focused on their symptoms such as pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression, nausea, digestive issues, insomnia, stress and more.
Acupressure
Acupressure instruction for common ailments, such as pain, stress or nausea for oneself or for another person. The instruction is provided in the home and involves pressing with fingers at specific points on the forearms and lower legs. Multiple people can be taught at the same time and no prior experience is necessary. Acupressure doesn’t involve needles, is gentle, safe, well tolerated and the pressure used can be adjusted.
Ear Acupuncture
Ear Acupuncture is provided for the individual and any caregivers. This is provided at the same time that the medically homebound individual receives their Acupuncture treatment. Caregivers are treated seated. Ear Acupuncture involves only needles on the outside of the ears. The treatment focus is more general and usually addresses pain, anxiety and stress. Caregivers are often very focused on the ill individual, at times at the cost of their own self care and even health care. Receiving Acupuncture at the same time can be a very supportive and healing experience for all involved. This treatment model in the home was part of Carola Stepper’s Master’s Thesis in 2001.
Ear Acupressure
Ear Acupressure (Auriculotherapy). This involves placement of small pellets (vaccaria seeds or stainless steel), which don’t pierce the skin, with a tiny piece of tape on the outside of the Ear.
The ear is a so-called microsystem of the entire body where the whole body is reflected in the ear. There are more than 200 Acupuncture points in the ear, which can address emotional and physical conditions. The small pellets can be left in place for 3-5 days. This service is provided for the individual and any caregivers.
Qualifications
Licensed Acupuncturist (LAc) with a Master’s in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (MAcOM) from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM) in Portland, OR 2001.
Licensed to practice Acupuncture in Oregon (AC00634) and Washington (AC00002120). Additionally certified with the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM # 17943)
Studied Distal Style Acupuncture (never needling the painful area directly, mostly needling the forearms and lower legs) with Dr Richard Tan and with Robert Doane, LAc. Used Distal Acupuncture exclusively to give thousands of Acupuncture treatments while owning a busy Acupuncture company for over 15 years.
Certified Provider of Hospice and Palliative Care Acupuncture.
EarSeeds Certified™ by the EarSeeds Academy
Master’s Thesis in 2001 on The Comparison of the Treatment of Cancer Pain and Cancer Related Symptoms with Western Medical and with Acupuncture Approaches and a proposal to offer Acupuncture to Hospice Patients and their Caregivers.
Taught Self Acupressure for Common Ailments, using Distal Style Acupressure to adults and children while owning her Acupuncture company for 15 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are these services offered?
In person, in an individual’s home, 35 miles around Hood River, in OR and WA.
How often do people usually need to receive those services?
Acupuncture treatments build on each other, not unlike Physical Therapy. Weekly or better twice per week is recommended especially for the treatment of pain.
Acupuncture, Ear Acupuncture treatments and Ear Acupressure (Ear Seed application)
with a more general focus such as stress reduction can be effective when received every 2-4 weeks.
Acupressure instruction is usually done once and can be incorporated into home visits for the other services.
Is this service covered by insurance? How much does it cost?
Please click here for the Fee Schedule. Thanks.
Acupuncture or Acupressure services provided during a home visit may also be combined with Nursing and/or End of Life Doula services during the same visit.
Does Acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture typically does not hurt. Sometimes there is a brief sensation as the needles are inserted, but this subsides quickly. Any needles can be adjusted or removed; the goal is the client’s comfort. Acupuncture needles are sterile, one time use and their width is 10 times smaller than a regular blood draw needle.
Is Acupuncture safe?
The risks are very minimal. The Licensed Acupuncturist has a Master’s or Doctorate Degree and the needles used are sterile, one time use and their width is 10 times smaller than a regular blood draw needle. Possible side effects may include: bruising, minor bleeding, numbness or tingling near the needling sites, and rarely dizziness or fainting. Unusual risks of acupuncture include nerve damage and organ puncture, including lung puncture. Carola Stepper only needles the lower legs and forearms, eliminating the risk of organ puncture.
What can Acupuncture treat?
The World Health Organization (WHO) lists 100 conditions which can be treated by Acupuncture. Evidence Based Acupuncture summarizes thousands of studies. For example, Acupuncture can treat: Sciatica, low back, neck, knee, arthritis and cancer pain, cancer-related fatigue, constipation, nausea, headaches and migraines, anxiety, depression, insomnia and itching of the skin. Very commonly people experience stress reduction when receiving acupuncture, as the needles affect the body’s endorphins release which helps with pain and stress.
Do you have a physical location in the Columbia River Gorge where you offer Acupuncture?
Sorry, we don’t. Acupuncture services are only provided to medically homebound adults who cannot easily visit an Acupuncture clinic for care and individuals who are part of their in-home caregiving team. Our services are offered to them at the same time the homebound adult receives Acupuncture. Please see under “Additional Columbia Gorge area Acupuncture Resources” for other Acupuncture providers.
Additional Columbia River Gorge Area Acupuncture Providers
Columbia Gorge local Licensed Acupuncturist who might provide home visits to any individuals:
Scott Klein, L.Ac., (OR)
Serena Whitridge, L.Ac., (OR and WA)
For anybody who is seeking Acupuncture services who is able to travel to an Acupuncture clinic, Carola recommends Cascade Acupuncture Center with locations in Hood River and The Dalles.
(541) 399-1919