Here for every step of your journey
Hello, and welcome to Orchid!
We are Milwaukee’s oldest acupuncture practice dedicated to the treatment of reproductive health. We primarily work with those looking for support with fertility, pregnancy and postpartum concerns, but we also help with creating healthier menstrual cycles and more enjoyable periods. (And if I can be frank, we LOVE what we do!)
Our providers have extensive experience and ongoing training with all aspects of reproductive health. A good portion of the care we provide is support to Western fertility treatments such as IUI and IVF, and each of our acupuncturists holds a rigorous specialty board certification in reproductive medicine through ABORM. Simply put, this additional credentialing demonstrates high-level clinical understanding of both Eastern and Western medical approaches and treatments, a crucial element for giving our patients the most effective care possible.
Orchid’s approach involves working with our patients to create a truly individualized care plan. While we most commonly work with acupuncture (and Chinese herbs when appropriate), the core of our treatment plans also include nutrition, supplements and other lifestyle recommendations. We offer a full granular herbal pharmacy and stock our favorite products onsite, allowing you to take home a customized herbal formula or other supplements the same day.
Your first visit begins with an in-depth review of health history and your goals for treatment and ends with your personalized Blueprint, the care plan including all recommendations from your consultation. Your Blueprint contains additional information beyond what we cover in your session, including evidence-based tools, along with our own tried and true recommendations that you can start implementing as soon as you leave.
At the end of the day, our other main goal is that you’ll leave each session feeling better than when you arrived. A heated table with fresh linens awaits, while white noise machines dampen the city noises outside, allowing you to focus on soft music or guided meditations for additional rejuvenation with your rest. Appointments offer a rare moment to truly unplug for an hour, and many patients look forward to their sessions for this very reason.
While you’re here, please feel free to look around at the rest of our website for information on our specific services, our areas of expertise and how our clinic stands out from the rest. We look forward to the opportunity to partner with you in your care.
Warmly,
Lisa Mussak, L.Ac, FABORM
Clinic Director
Cycle Support
Light flow? Heavy Flow? Painful? Clotting? Not at all? There are soo many reasons menstruation can change from month to month. Acupuncture & Chinese herbal medicine can help to increase blood flow to reproductive organs, help with stress management and help your body achieve balance again.
Conception Care
Whether you’re looking to conceive with or without assisted reproductive methods, our acupuncturists are specialized in all aspects of reproductive health to help you achieve your goals of parenthood.
Pregnancy & Postpartum
From first trimester nausea and discomfort to breech positioning and labor preparation to postpartum recovery, our team is capable to help at every stage of the journey.
I enjoy the time spent listening to my concerns and what I have going on in my life at the time of each visit. I feel like I am heard and that my treatment is always tailored to my current needs. It's an experience I look forward to every week, knowing that time is my time.
I leave feeling absolutely amazing after each treatment.
—S.S.
FAQs
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For current pricing on acupuncture sessions, please visit the scheduling section of our website. Under the dropdown menu titled, “Choose a Service,” each appointment type will have the corresponding price listed.
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We're glad you asked! Each of our providers holds extensive post-graduate and specialty training and experience in the fields of infertility, IVF/IUI support, and prenatal/postpartum care. Check out this post for more info on what sets our practice apart from the rest.
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Chinese medicine and acupuncture have been used for over 3,000 years to treat and prevent illness. Treating the body and mind together, this form of medicine emphasizes a holistic approach to health. Acupuncture stimulates the body's innate ability to heal by activating specific points on the body to improve blood circulation, to promote the free-flow of Qi (energy), and to relieve pain. Chinese herbal medicine can be used independently or as a complement to acupuncture. Regardless of your treatment goals, acupuncture will assist in regulating overall body function and promoting internal balance.
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Prior to your consultation, you will be asked to fill out some forms — a medical history form including medications, vitamins, and supplements you are currently taking, a consent to treatment form, and the HIPPA privacy policy receipt. Together, we will go through your medical history forms and complete a Chinese medical intake to determine the root(s) of your condition. In Chinese medicine, we also use the tongue and pulse as diagnostic tools. A care plan is then discussed based upon these items and your goals for treatment.During your first visit for treatment, you will lie down on a massage table, get comfortable, and the needles will be inserted. Most do not feel the needles themselves and notice deep feelings of relaxation. Herbal formulas and nutritional recommendations will also be discussed if appropriate to your care plan.
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Your first visit will last from 60-90 minutes, as we will go through a thorough history and intake as part of your consult. Subsequent (follow up) visits last roughly 45-60 minutes. Once the needles are inserted, you will lay comfortably for 20-30 minutes.
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Everybody experiences the effects of acupuncture a little differently. Depending on the concern being treated, some people may start to notice the benefits almost immediately, others may feel a difference a few hours after treatment, and some may need several treatments before they notice an improvement. Some people become very relaxed with treatments, while others may feel energized or rejuvenated.
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For most conditions, a series of treatments is required in order for you to achieve maximum benefit. A course of treatment for many complaints can range from 6-12 treatments while the typical course of treatment for fertility might be a treatment once or twice weekly over 3-9 months. After your initial evaluation, you will be given recommendations on the number and frequency of treatments relative to your goals and health history.
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We neither offer nor recommend dry needling as a therapeutic practice, due to serious concerns over the safety and amount of training received for such an invasive procedure. While both acupuncturists and medical doctors possess extensive training and experience with regard to the use of needles throughout the body, there is currently no minimum standard for hours or content in these limited training workshops.
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We encourage patients to wear or bring comfortable clothing — something that will allow us to roll your pants above the knees and your sleeves above the elbows. Be sure to eat a snack or light meal within an hour or two of your appointment. If possible, avoid strenuous activity or exercise after you are finished with your session to allow for maximum relaxation and benefit.
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We are an out-of-network provider, and therefore do not bill insurance directly at this time. However, the receipts provided at the time of your service contain the necessary information for you to submit for reimbursement. Acupuncture is a flex-spending eligible service and many of our patients elect to use these funds for their treatment.
The most compassionate and knowledgeable practitioners I have had the honor of working with during my fertility journey. They have been on my side from the beginning and really took the time to help review my history. They empowered me to advocate for myself; I am so grateful.
— C.B.