For New Patients

Welcome to Barefoot Doctor, and thank you for choosing us!  The following will help your first visit be a great experience and will familiarize you with what to expect during your first visit.

You may schedule yourself online as a new or returning client:

Community Setting

Within our clinic, we treat in a community setting.  This is different than what you may have experienced if you’ve already received acupuncture in a private setting, but don’t worry!  We’re pretty sure you’ll love community acupuncture, and it’s just as effective (if not more so)!  In the group setting, your health concerns are still confidential, as we are mindful of how we speak about conditions while in the treatment room (you are always welcome to communicate by email or phone ahead of time, if you prefer). During the course of your first visit, we’ll go over your forms in the front office, and an individual treatment plan will be discussed so that you may learn how to get the best results from your acupuncture treatment. After our chat, you’ll grab a chair and receive your first treatment!

* Because treatments are in process constantly during open hours, we appreciate you entering quietly, and speaking quietly in the waiting area.  If no one is up front when you come in, we’re with patients and will be up shortly! If you haven’t filled out paperwork yet, clipboards with forms are on the desk. *
 

The Treatment

Since the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic, we have altered our treatment area. We currently have 4 zero gravity recliners spaced 6 feet apart from one another, with dreamy sheer curtains between to allow some privacy while also not inhibiting air circulation. Once you’re seated, you will remove socks and shoes and place them beneath your chair Don’t forget to turn phone ringers off!  We play soothing music, but you’re welcome to listen to music of your own with headphones as long, as it’s not disruptive to your neighbors.  We do have one table in a small adjacent room for those who have difficulty with the chairs, or if it is deemed necessary for treatment efficacy. Because points are primarily used below the knees and elbows, you will not be undressed, but it does help to wear clothing that makes these areas easily accessible (skinny jeans / pants aren’t ideal). If you’re coming from work, you're welcome to bring a change of clothes.

intake Forms

We require each new patient to fill out two intake forms prior to your first treatment. In order to save time in the office, you may download, print, and fill out these forms before the time of your visit. If you do not have access to a printer, you may arrive 15 minutes before your appointment time to complete your intake forms.

Health History Form - This form will provide the acupuncturist with detailed information about your health, and specifically the reasons for your visit.  Please print and fill out this form in preparation for your first visit. 

Informed Consent - Please print and sign this form in preparation for your first visit.

Sliding Scale- chart to help determine what you for treatments. Please note that this chart is meant as a way to help determine your financial ability and what you may pay… when paying on the sliding scale keep in mind that it is important for you to be able to commit to your treatment plan and that changes to your ability to pay may vary from time to time. Your payment ability may also vary with the frequency of your treatment plan as that plan changes from time to time. Please also consider that this covers your practitioner’s livelihood and clinic overhead when determining payment.

How Acupuncture Feels:

The needles are tiny, about the size of a hair, so they’re not like most needles you’ve encountered.  We put them in a tiny guide tube, which you’ll feel when it's gently pressed down on the acupuncture point we are treating, and you will feel the needle as it is tapped in.  You may feel nothing, or you may feel different sensations like tingling, a dull pressure, a dull ache, or warmth.  These are all very normal and are a good sign that your body is reacting in a helpful way to the treatment. You may sometimes feel a tiny prick just as the needle is inserted, but this feeling will go away almost immediately.  If at any point a needle feels uncomfortable, please do let us know so that it can be removed or adjusted. Once all of your needles are placed, we ask you lie quietly for at least 20 - 30 minutes, in order to give the treatment time to work. We also let people rest for longer periods of time and will check back to see when / if you feel more alert and energized (a sign that your treatment is done).  You may feel deeply relaxed during your treatment, and people often fall asleep! Always let us know if you have any time constraints, so that we can get you out on time.

Sliding Scale Payment

Our clinic uses a sliding scale fee to make acupuncture affordable to our patients.  The sliding scale fee per visit is $30 - $60. Your first treatment requires an additional initial treatment fee of $15, so your first payment will be $45 - $75.  Payment is accepted through Venmo, Paypal, cash, or check (make checks out to Jennifer Corbin).

PLEASE NOTE: All missed appointments or appointments not cancelled with 24 hours notice are charged a $30 fee. We cannot make any exceptions. Please be considerate of our practioners and fellow patients who may be able to fill an empty appointment.

Due to Covid 19, cash and checks can be dropped in the box without an envelope. It’s a great idea to take care of payment right as you walk in, since people are so deeply relaxed after acupuncture.

Please note: We Do NOT Handle Insurance. Our sliding scale is designed to be an affordable and sustainable way to receive acupuncture with the needed treatment frequency to achieve the benefits. If you have a health savings account, or are seeking reimbursement for accident related injury, we can provide an invoice to self track payments or provide receipts for treatment, however, it its the patient’s responsibility to ask for and track their own payments.. we do not keep individual billing records.

Here’s a helpful chart to help you determine what you should pay on the sliding scale:

Where Do I Fall on The Sliding Scale?

Cancellations

If you need to change or cancel an appointments, you may do so yourself, through the online scheduler.  We require a 24 hour notice of cancellation - appointments cancelled with less than 24 hour notice are charged a $30 fee. If cancelling within 24 hours of your appointment, please email the clinic at barefootclinicphilly@gmail.com so that we can try to open the appointment time to other patients as soon as possible. We greatly appreciate payment of the $30 cancellation fee through venmo or paypal at the time of cancellation or notification of missed appointment.