Frequently Asked Questions

At Mama Wren Acupuncture, the main focus is women's health:  female infertility, menstrual problems, PMS,  pregnancy and post-partum conditions, and menopausal complaints, but Jennifer Kapraun, L.Ac.  treats the whole family.   Her patients, of all ages, get relief great  musculoskeletal  pain, chronic inflammatory pain, digestive issues, skin problems, neurological problems, and other chronic health problems.   The best way to find out if a condition you have would respond well to Jennifer's treatments is to set up a Zoom or phone consultation  here.

Acupuncture works by different mechanisms, depending on what type of condition is being treated and what specific method is being used.  Acupuncture effects neurotransmitters (chemicals your body produces naturally) to relieve pain and stress.  It also effects blood flow to different body areas and organs, which can improve the healthy function  with repeated treatment.  Acupuncture can relax or increase muscle tone by improving both circulation and nerve conductivity.  Finally, there is a finer, more esoteric level on which acupuncture works, and this aspect of acupuncture can be very helpful for emotional imbalance, stress, anxiety, grief, and other types of psychological pain.

A treatment visit with Jennifer lasts about 45 minutes.  Allow 1 hour in your schedule.   She sees one patient at a time, so that time is reserved especially for you.  At each visit, she will briefly review your progresss, examine your range of motion or other markers of progress.   Treatment will include acupuncture or electro-acupuncture, or other therapies of East Asian Medicine.  Jennifer is also an expert herbalist, so she may make supplement or Chinese herb recommendations for you if necessary.

For pain conditions that you have had for less than 6 weeks, 3 or 4 visits will provide lasting relief and get you back to normal function.  If you've had pain for 3 to 6 months, 5 to 10 visits.  These are just general guidelines:  several factors effect how quickly you will see results that last. For fertility patients, plan on 3 months of weekly treatment to see lasting changes in your cycle or other fertility markers.  Many patients make acupuncture part of their regular wellness and prevention care, and come for treatment weekly or monthly as there body requires.

Yes!  Most patients are afraid of needles before they get acupuncture for the first time.   A skilled acupuncturist like Jennifer has many ways of making you feel relaxed and at ease, and uses special techniques for making acupuncture painless!  Once you're resting on her treatment table, what you'll  most likely feel is deep relaxation and calm.  What's more, Jennifer has many non-needle methods for treating many common problems

Yes!  Mama Wren Acupuncture is in network with United Healthcare and the VA Community Care Program.  For all other insurances, we will verify your plan for acupuncture benefits as a courtesy.  If acupuncture is covered under your plan, you pay at the time of service, and we provide you with the information you need to receive reimbursement if our services are covered.  

Yes, acupuncture is a considered a covered expense under most HSA and FSA plans.  Of course, check the details of your specific plan to be sure. 

Return Office Visits for Acupuncture at New Channel Wellness are $ 110.   Pre-paid treatment plans are sometimes available and allow motivated patients to reserve appointments in advance and save on the overall cost of treatment.  Mama Wren Acupuncture occasionally offers promotions, you can sign up to be kept in the loop here.

As of January 2024, Jennifer is accepting new patients on a limited basis only.  Preference will be given to those with a referral.  If you do not have a referral, please book an online consultation to determine if you are a good candidate for acupuncture treatment.  Jennifer will review your medical history, meet with you virtually to discuss your health concerns, and give her best recommendations.  With the exception of patients on a pre-paid treatment plan, all scheduling is first come, first served via our online scheduler.  Waitlist is available for all patients.

When you come visit Mama Wren Acupuncture for the first time, you will already have completed your health history and met with Jennifer virtually to discuss your treatment plan.  Wear or bring loose comfortable clothing, eat a light meal or snack within 2 hours prior to your visit, and refrain from drugs, alcohol, or unusually strenuous exercise immediately before your appointment.  

For pain conditions, if you've had pain for 6 weeks or less, you will feel better instantly, 50 to 80% relief is not unusual.  How long the relief lasts will depend on the cause of the pain.   While most patients feel some relief right away, acupuncture's effects are both cumulative and dose-dependent, especially when we're talking about treating chronic conditions that you've had for months or years.  Our acupuncturist will evaluate your specific problem and health condition, and let you know what to expect as your body heals and function returns.

For women's health concerns related to the menstrual cycle,  you may begin feeling better in a week or so, but 3 to 6 months of treatment are needed to establish, and ongoing treatment with herbs, supplements or dietary changes may be indicated.  For menopausal symptoms, relief from acupuncture is relatively quick, and treatment with herbs can take a few days to to a few weeks to relieve symptoms of mood and hormone fluctuation, dryness, fatigue, or pain.

For pregnancy-related conditions, as a general rule, pregnant women tend to be especially sensitive and responsive to treatment, just as very young children are.  This is why acupuncture  methods used on pregnant women are much more gentle, yet still effective.  Most musculoskeletal pain and digestive complaints in pregnancy improve after only a few treatments.  Pregnant women benefit greatly from weekly acupuncture, especially if they had any chronic health problem before becoming pregnant, or if fatigue, anxiety, stress, or insomnia are severe.

At Mama Wren Acupuncture, our practitioner carefully reviews your history, medications, and procedures you are currently undergoing or have undergone.  Acupuncture is used widely in a hospital setting as a compliment to treatments like chemotherapy, post-surgical recovery, pain management, and even emergency medicine.  Always keep your acupuncturist informed about any changes in your medications, medical treatment plan, new diagnoses, and recent or upcoming procedures. 

Just as with with Western Medical Treatment, pregnant women respond differently to Acupuncture and Eastern Herbal Medicine than others, and that is why treatments are very gentle and still effective.  Doses of herbs are lower, and certain methods and certain herbs and supplements are contraindicated.  Acupuncture is both safe and beneficial in pregancy, but it's important to choose a practitioner with experience and training to provide care for women during pregnancy.  Jennifer Kapraun, L.Ac. has advanced certifications in women's health and more than a decade of experience working with women in every trimester and post-partum.

Kids can and do get acupuncture, and respond well to treatment.  Mama Wren Acupuncture welcomes children of all ages, and provides acupuncture, non-needle manual therapies, Chinese Herbal Medicine, and holistic health guidance for treatment of many common conditions effecting little ones.  Jennifer is the whole family's acupuncturist!

Probably not.  While our acupuncturist is an advanced practitioner of Chinese Herbal Medicine, and trained in effective, targeted use of supplements and dietary adjustments in the Eastern Medicine paradigm, she is a minimalist when it comes to supplements.  That said, there are a few things that are missing or deficient in the modern diet, no matter how disciplined your eating habits and how high your food budget is.  Our food system is so different from what are bodies were meant to be eating, that some supplementation is necessary for optimal functioning.  Jennifer is always happy to offer guidance to her patients, and offers best quality products at a preferred cost.

Mama Wren Acupuncture offers top quality products from Classical Pearls line, Evergreen single herb granules for her custom-made herbal formulations.  We are proud to care YinCare Herbal Wash, Standard Process Nutritional Supplements, and other top-quality, carefully researched products.