Betsy Gordon Acupuncture

Hi sweet folks ✨

It’s that time—many of you are reviewing health insurance plans and making decisions for the coming year, so I’d like to offer a quick update and transparency.

Occasionally, insurers reduce alternative care coverage, or lower reimbursement rates in such a way that it forces providers to leave the network. This is what’s happened this year at Providence Health Plan. They’ve taken on urgent cost-saving measures which will hopefully keep them stable as an employer and an important healthcare network in our region, but in the process, they have caused an exodus from their alternative care provider network. Unfortunately, I am no longer in-network with Providence.

The reality is that many plans have untenable reimbursement rates or only offer partial coverage for acupuncture care. In some cases, however, as with Kaiser/Heraya and UnitedHealthcare, providers are able to charge a non-covered services fee to recoup costs. With this in mind, I’m happy to share I’m rejoining the Kaiser network. You can expect crystal-clear communication about any additional fees.

Some plans offer out-of-network coverage, such as Cigna and Aetna, or will simply reimburse if you submit a superbill that I provide you. If you have questions about other plans or need help confirming your benefits, please reach out.

Lastly, I know many of you are facing significant increases in healthcare costs. In the coming year—and anytime, really—if you aren’t able to come in for treatment as often as you’d like, or at all, I encourage you to reach out. I’m workshopping a new policy for financial assistance and considering how to best enable folks to make a request. Let’s see what we can do.

In solidarity and care ~

Take advantage of remaining acupuncture benefits in 2024! -

Now scheduling through November 🍂 -

👐 when the brilliant .cava.co graces my table

🙏✨

This study adds to a growing body of evidence in support of acupuncture as a routine treatment for migraines, especially those which fail to respond to standard care.

If a patient comes to me with a gnarly pattern of migraine headaches, you can bet I’ll recommend they see a neurologist, first thing. But once all concerning conditions are ruled out, we can sleuth the underlying pattern and work toward long-term relief.

Most folks come to me 1) for relief as they navigate the sometimes slow trail of Western medical specialists, or 2) in desperation, feeling like they’ve tried everything. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine offer valuable care in either case!

Curious to know more? Book that free phone consultation, link in bio

I'm always excited to talk about gua sha, but with cold/flu/vaccine/booster season upon us, I’m especially jazzed to share these research highlights:

First, research finds that gua sha treatment upregulates heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1). HO-1 is anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and cytoprotective. In other words, gua sha boosts immune activity in the skin where it's performed, *and systemically*.

A second study finds that when gua sha is performed prior to intradermal vaccination, it increases the activity of immune-active cells and increases IgG titers threefold. In other words, gua sha may boost immune response to intradermal vaccination.

This second study speculates gua sha may boost humans' immune response to vaccines, and may help convert non-responders.

Here’s a custom granule herbal formula for early stage vulvar lichen sclerosus. We’re addressing “branch” symptoms while supporting stress management and digestive health. Harmonizing the liver and spleen ~~~

Lichen sclerosus affects vulvas mostly. In addition to sometimes intense physical discomfort and distraction, this condition can be emotionally and socially challenging.

Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) dermatology provide a wealth of resources for relief and healing of lichen sclerosus, especially in its early stages.

TCM treatment is safe in combination with conventional topical steroids, and may improve outcomes.

If you have questions, schedule a free consultation online (link in bio).

Feeling itchy? Ugh!

A systematic review and meta-analysis found acupuncture successfully reduces the intensity of itch. Researchers have identified potential explanations for this positive effect:

—The kappa opioid receptor is active throughout the central nervous system. When activated by electroacupuncture, it has a distinct anti-itch effect.

—Acupuncture is associated with a reduction in putamen response, indicating acupuncture modulates the area of the brain responsible for motivation and habitual behavior.

Did you know traditional Chinese medicine recognizes several types of itch? Heat itch, wind itch, damp itch... Each should be treated differently. Fascinating.