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Frequently Asked Questions

YOU’RE NOT THE ONLY ONE….

ADMINISTRATIVE/POLICY FAQS

WHAT PRECAUTIONS ARE YOU TAKING TO MAKE THE STUDIO SAFE & WHAT CAN I EXPECT WHEN VISITING THE STUDIO?

We are using HEPA air filters and sanitizing frequently touched surfaces after each use. We are mask-optional for Pilates lessons, and mask-mandatory for massage and acupuncture services.

If you experience any of the following, it is important that you let us know in advance of your visit by calling to reschedule if:

*You or anyone you have had close contact with has tested positive for Covid-19
*You or anyone in your household has experienced in the last 2-3 weeks: fever 99.5 or higher OR flu like symptoms OR cough OR shortness of breath OR loss of taste or smell
* If you are just feeling unwell

You can find the code to enter the building in your confirmation email. You can help ensure the cleanliness of the studio by spraying down any surfaces you have touched during your visit with a clean towel and sanitizing solution, and place your used towel in the basket by the front desk. We will be sanitizing all high-touch surfaces between each lesson, scheduling extra time between appointments, and rotating apparatus. If you would like to purchase props for your own personal use during your session, please let us know.

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?

Any cancellations made within 24 hours prior to the class time are charged in full. This policy applies to online classes as well as in-person classes. Instead of cancelling, you may transfer your class as a gift to a recipient of your choice, but please notify us with their contact information.

ACUPUNCTURE FAQS

WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE?

Acupuncture is an ancient form of East Asian medicine that has survived thousands of years and countless social changes. It employs a holistic diagnostic system that is celebrated for preventing and addressing the root causes of pain and disease. As Eastern and Western medical disciplines integrate, acupuncture is increasingly recognized as a primary intervention for the treatment of pain.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

There are over 300 acupuncture points on your entire body, organized by intricate and specialized “highways” called meridians. East Asian theory considers Qi the vital force behind every physiological and metabolic function, and considers Blood the substance that supports the activity of Qi and nourishes the tissues. When we have an imbalance of our vital substances we suffer pain or disease. Your acupuncturist is trained to identify and diagnose where imbalances are occurring – and through a simple (but sophisticated!) theoretical model – points are selected that gently restore your blueprint for health.

From a Western medical lens, we know that stimulation of acupuncture points involves fascia (connective tissue), the nervous system, blood, and the immune system. Treatments encourage our body’s natural ability to heal and create homeostasis in the nervous system. For this reason, acupuncture is effective for many physiological and psycho-emotional concerns. Through medical research we are discovering how acupuncture can create permanent change in the nervous system – so in some cases we are actually rewiring your brain! With very few contraindications, acupuncture is a minimally invasive and natural way to heal and optimize wellness.

IS ACUPUNCTURE PAINFUL?

Because acupuncture needles are so thin (the thickness of a hair!) – the placement of needles is often painless. Occasionally you may feel a slight pinch – but before you can say “ow!” the pain is gone. Once needles are placed, some people experience a dull, aching sensation. Others have reported heaviness or buzzing, or an overall sensation of energy moving in their bodies. Many others forget they have needles entirely, and find themselves resting deeply.

WHAT IS CUPPING? WHAT IS GUA SHA?

These are supplemental manual therapies that restore circulation, mobilize congested fascia, and release stagnation. We use these methods to reduce muscle pain and open the meridians before acupuncture. Cupping, in particular, may leave marks on the skin – as modeled here by the iconic Gwyneth.

DO YOU RE-USE ACUPUNCTURE NEEDLES?

No, absolutely not, never. Needles are sterile and individually packaged, for single-use, only. When we are done with your needles, we dispose of them in an industry-standard sharps container, which is then shipped to a proper handling facility.

WHAT CAN ACUPUNCTURE TREAT?

Acupuncture – at one point in human history – was a primary source of healing. Therefore, a wide variety of internal and external disharmonies can be addressed using acupuncture. Your specific condition may require Western medical attention – but in this event, acupuncture is capable of harmlessly and harmoniously supplementing your care. I have seen acupuncture relieve all sorts of pain – chronic, acute, or intermittent. It can help with muscle pain and stiffness, joint pain, headaches, neck/shoulder/back/hip pain, referral pain in any of the limbs, and fibromyalgia. Many internal imbalances can also be addressed, from digestive complaints, hormonal imbalances, to sleep disturbances! And finally – because acupuncture promotes homeostasis in our nervous system – many psycho-emotional and stress-related concerns can be gently healed and tended through treatment. We are attuned to working with the whole body-mind-spirit as an intricate, unified whole.

 

HOW MANY TREATMENTS DO I NEED?

In some cases we are able to achieve remarkable results in one or two visits, while others may take more time and regular care. Everyone has an individualized treatment plan, and your initial visit will be a good time to determine what’s best for you. Depending on the timing and complexity of your health concerns, we may choose frequent visits, or we may space them out to support you throughout your healing.

ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?

Unfavorable side effects of acupuncture are seldom, if not rare. Some of the side effects of acupuncture may include: dizziness or lightheadedness upon standing, mild bruising or residual aching where a needle was placed, the desire to rest, or an abundance of energy that hasn’t been felt in a while. Many people are not bothered by these minor complaints, however I would be remiss if I didn’t state: with any sharp object penetrating the skin, there is risk of puncturing an important structure. Your acupuncturist has completed a rigorous medical program, and has passed equally challenging national exams to ensure your safety.

ARE YOUR ACUPUNCTURISTS LICENSED?

Yes: Ellisia Grove is licensed by the Oregon Medical Board in the state of Oregon. I am also a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine through the NCCAOM, a national regulatory body for the assurance of competency in the acupuncture and oriental medicine professions.

 

PILATES FAQS

IS PILATES A WORKOUT OR A HEALING MODALITY?

Pilates is a type of conditioning exercise that has unique benefits. Improvements in alignment, core strength, and mind/body connection are gained through regular practice. It is also uniquely designed to help people rehabilitate from injuries due to its emphasis on proper alignment, strengthening and stretching, and balancing the body — both symmetrically, left to right – as well as relieving dominant muscles of their tension by allowing/assigning smaller or postural and core muscles (which are often weak) more of the work in supporting the body and its movements.

For example, many people have dominance in the upper trapezius/neck and shoulder area, unnecessarily engaging these areas when making arm movements. This can lead to shoulder and neck tension, pain, and even conditions such as frozen shoulder. A properly taught Pilates progression allows the student to engage the often under-used muscles below and surrounding the neck and shoulder to execute arm movements.  These more efficient movement patterns become automatic with regular Pilates practice. For those who are dedicated enough to correct improper movement patterns through regular practice, change is long lasting and a lifetime of prevention of injuries and pain is gained.

CAN PILATES HELP IMPROVE POSTURE?

Please see our blog article on the postural benefits of Pilates here.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PILATES?

While it is impossible to list them all, here are a few of the benefits reported from some of our students engaging in regular Pilates practice:

Increased energy and zest for life
Increased strength, especially of the core
Better body awareness and ability to engage core muscles in daily life
Relief from back pain
Improved elimination and continence
Improved body image
Mood benefits (including relief from mild depression)
Improved alignment of the ankle, knee, hips, shoulders, and ribcage
Improved posture
Increased flexibility and range of motion
Improved performance in sports
Prevention of muscle and soft issue injury, and increased healing time

CAN PILATES HELP MY CHRONIC PAIN OR INJURY?

While it is never possible to guarantee that any particular treatment intervention will produce a particular effect, there are many people who have reported improvement of their condition after starting a regular Pilates practice. Some of these conditions include:

Acute and chronic back pain
Carpal tunnel
Hip and knee replacement rehabilitation
Sports injuries
Scoliosis-related pain
Frozen shoulder
Chronic fatigue

CAN PILATES HELP PREVENT OSTEOPOROSIS OR KYPHOTIC POSTURE?

Pilates is an ideal form of exercise for those who have either been diagnosed with or would like to prevent being diagnosed with osteoporosis/osteopenia. Weight bearing exercises comprise the bulk of Pilates mat work, and it is these exercises that are recommended for maintaining bone density in at risk populations.

CAN PILATES HELP PREVENT SCOLIOSIS?

Pilates is ideal for those who have been diagnosed with scoliosis, or who wish to avoid being part of a new generation of adults diagnosed with late onset scoliosis. Pilates in a supervised setting focuses on alignment as well as balancing both sides of the body. Asymmetrical patterning and strategic unilateral movements in these individualized programs help to strengthen weaknesses in the muscles of the trunk that can contribute to or cause a rotation in the spine.

NUTRITION FAQS

HOW CAN NUTRITION COUNSELING HELP ME?

What we choose to put into our bodies is, some would say, the most basic and fundamental choice that we have to make as individuals; and as it is repeated many times daily, it is potentially our most powerful choice affecting our level of health. It is often difficult to see our own patterns, and working with a nutritionist as part of a team with other health care providers can be empowering to our sense of control about our personal health, and can be instrumental in bringing about major health changes. We have seen nutritional counseling help resolve the following ailments:

Hypertension/High blood pressure
Insulin resistance/Pre-diabetes
Allergies
Skin conditions
Fatigue
Depression
Overweight/Underweight
Hair loss

So what is the “right diet?” Because everyone is different, in terms of our unique combination of ancestry (nature), environment (nurture), and habits, this will inevitably look somewhat different for each of us. Gaining a solid and informed understanding of the basic principles of good nutrition, the specifics of what will be best for your body, and the support needed to make changes to implement them can be life changing and produce nearly immediate results and lifelong health shifts.

DO YOU OFFER CLEANSES?

We offer cleanses seasonally in January, April, and September. If you are interested in a cleanse, please contact us.

DISCLAIMER

The material contained within this website is provided solely as general educational and informational purposes. Use of this website, advice and information contained herein is at the sole choice and risk of the user.

Always consult your physician or healthcare provider before beginning any exercise or nutrition program. Upon using this website, you are agreeing to hold harmless Lemon Tree Wellness and any providers of Lemon Tree Wellness from any liability with respect to injury or illness to you or your property arising out of or connected with your use of the information contained in any of our programs, our email newsletter, or our website.

Want to Find Out More?

Check out more information on any of our modalities below:

acupuncture / east-asian medicine

massage

pilates

alexander technique

energy work

monthly wellness workshops + moon circles

health and wellness coaching

Needing to get in quickly?

Check out our virtual and tune-up options below, or book a free consult here. 

 

VIRTUAL CONSULT

A virtual consult includes a comprehensive medical intake with our acupuncturists, mindfulness techniques, a custom herbal formula or flower essence, and constitutional lifestyle suggestions.  Price of session does not incorporate the cost of herbs or essences.  

What People Are Saying

Our daughter, a freshman in high school at the time, was suffering with non stop headaches. Doctors couldn’t find a cause for the headaches and while that was good news, it didn’t give her any relief. A friend recommended acupuncture and told us Katherine helped tremendously with their daughter’s headaches. We thought it was worth a try as we’d exhausted all other options. Sure enough, after the second treatment, the headaches were gone. Our daughter loved her appointments with Katherine. She is genuine in nature and we are externally grateful to have been recommended to her.” 

~ Flora

I absolutely LOVE going to see Katherine Armer for acupuncture! Her graceful, wise, and calm presence and sense of humor is always so comforting. I got a 75 minute deep healing treatment with needles and cupping today to help me recover from intense back spasms and headaches that have had me down for the past few days. Her skilled hands apply the needles with so much gentle care that I barely feel a thing. My body went into a state of deeply relaxed meditation as the energy meridians started to calm and balance. I feel so refreshed now, I can’t wait to get a good night’s sleep!

~ Elsa

“Katherine has helped my husband, daughter and me navigate many different ailments. Over the years she has helped us with with everything from muscular and joint pain and headaches to managing side effects of menopause, Lyme disease, and stress. During the annual cold season she knows many effective methods of alleviating sinus and chest ailments and helping one’s body reclaim its energy and boost immunity. She is easy to talk to, generous with her time and a true delight to be around. We highly recommend her healing gifts!”

~ Martha

I have very limited experience with acupuncture, so I was nervous about the treatment, but being very kidney deficient (only having one) I was told acupuncture would strengthen my whole system. Katherine Armer made me feel completely at ease with the process. The office was lovely and comfortable, I admit I have fallen asleep more than once. Best of all, I feel GREAT!! Apparently my spleen wasn’t doing so well, but thanks to Katherine we are working on that little organ too.”

~Sher

We acknowledge and express gratitude for inhabiting and working on the indigenous homelands of the native tribal peoples of the Pacific Northwest.