What to know before your visit to Holistic Primary Care in St. Petersburg, FL.
Real questions from real patients, on insurance, pain, needles, and what treatment actually feels like.
Before your appointment
Does insurance cover treatment at Holistic Primary Care?
Coverage depends on your specific plan. Holistic Primary Care is out-of-network for most insurance, and payment is required at time of visit. The practice is in-network with United Healthcare, and can provide a receipt for out-of-network reimbursement or help file a claim.
Is Dr. Eisenman a VA Community Care Network (CCN) provider?
Yes. Dr. Eisenman is a veteran himself and Holistic Primary Care is an approved VA Community Care Network provider, so veterans who can't get care through the VA directly can be seen here instead. The practice is also a member of VACCN.
How should I prepare for my first appointment?
Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Patient gowns are available if you need to change.
How should I measure progress during treatment?
Beyond a specific goal like becoming pain-free, look for milestones: increased range of motion, better sleep quality, more energy, less reactivity to stress, improved digestion, or more regular menstrual cycles. Acupuncture has a cumulative effect, so consistency with appointments and the treatment plan matters for results.
Are the herbs used at Holistic Primary Care safe?
Holistic Primary Care only uses herbs from top-quality professional suppliers. We do not recommend purchasing herbs from the internet or Chinese grocery stores due to the possibility of receiving contaminated or counterfeit products.
Will acupuncture needles hurt?
Acupuncture needles are much finer than injection needles. Many patients find sessions so relaxing they fall asleep, and there's time to discuss any concerns with your practitioner before treatment.
Are there non-needle treatment options?
Yes. Options that stimulate acupuncture points without needles include low-intensity laser light, electro-acupuncture, moxibustion, and cupping.
What happens if I miss my appointment?
A cancellation fee of up to the full visit price applies for cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance, or for no-shows. This policy exists because a full block of time is reserved for each patient.
Pain management
How is Holistic Primary Care's approach to pain different?
Dr. Donald M. Eisenman, DAOM, AP, NMT, combines acupuncture, specialized massage, therapeutic stretching, active release techniques, and functional medicine, focusing on root cause rather than the area that hurts. Pain often comes from a trigger point or myofascial restriction (commonly felt as a knot in the muscle), and over-stretching the painful area can sometimes make it worse rather than better.
How does acupuncture work to relieve pain?
Acupuncture stimulates the body's own healing processes, including anti-inflammatory compounds and pain-relieving endorphins. It increases circulation through the body's channels and calms the nervous system, which also helps with the stress and anxiety that often accompanies chronic pain.
What if I'm considering surgery, or recovering from it?
Many patients have been able to avoid surgery and return to daily activities through treatment at Holistic Primary Care, and the practice works alongside surgeons and other providers pre- and post-surgery to increase circulation, reduce pain, and support restful sleep for recovery.
Can anything help with scar tissue?
Yes. Scar tissue, visible or beneath the skin, can adhere to muscles and other structures and create further dysfunction. Acupuncture and other therapeutic techniques help release these adhesions.
What painful conditions does Holistic Primary Care treat?
Conditions treated include sports injuries, acute and chronic pain, herniated and bulging discs, spinal stenosis, arthritis, degenerative disc disease, sciatic pain, numbness and tingling, low back and hip pain, joint pain, frozen shoulder, neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, headache and migraine, TMJ and jaw pain, post-surgical pain, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and traumatic injury.
How can herbs and supplements help with pain?
Many Chinese herbs and supplements have anti-inflammatory effects. Holistic Primary Care also offers natural and homeopathic injectables for pain and inflammation, and is one of the few practices able to make custom raw medicinal herbal formulas.
Stress, anxiety, and sleep
Can acupuncture help with stress, anxiety, and sleep?
Yes. Acupuncture helps regulate the nervous system, promoting balance, reduced stress, and more restful sleep. It can also help regulate other systems affected by stress, including digestion and the cardiovascular system.
Can acupuncture help with emotions like anxiety and irritability?
Chinese medicine treats the body and mind as connected. Emotional stress is often felt physically, commonly in the stomach, chest, head, neck, and shoulders. Acupuncture can help calm anxiety by bringing the nervous system back into balance.
Can acupuncture help with quitting smoking?
Yes. Holistic Primary Care offers a stop-smoking protocol using acupuncture to help reduce the nervousness of nicotine withdrawal and ease cravings.
Are acupuncture treatments relaxing?
Most first-time patients are surprised at how relaxing treatment is. Falling asleep during a session, and sleeping well that night, is common.
Location and hours
Where is Holistic Primary Care located?
Holistic Primary Care is located at 926 16th St N Ste A, St. Petersburg, FL 33705, and serves patients throughout St. Petersburg and the surrounding area.
What are Holistic Primary Care's hours?
Holistic Primary Care is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 6pm and Saturday from 10am to 2pm. The office is closed Sundays.
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