Troy Acupuncture Center

Ciara, I am sorry to hear about your bad (albeit hilarious) experience. Mine was equally comical. She told me to lie down in my bra and underwear which I did. Then her two kids (boy and girl) came to the door looking for her and she motioned for them to come in, so they’re having a family discussion in another language with the nearly naked lady on the table. It wasn’t like she told them to come find her later either; this was a 10+ minute conversation. Finally the kiddos leave.
She asks me what my ailment is. I tell her it’s back and neck pain. So she has me flip over and starts sticking needles in my back and neck. This is an interesting approach because in my prior experiences with acupuncture you stick the needle in the qi point that corresponds to the area where the person is experiencing symptoms — you don’t actually stick it where the symptoms are. But ok. there are already twelve needles in my back and neck, so let’s just go with it for now.
I wouldn’t say the pain was a ⁵⁄₁₀ — mine was more like a 1 or 2; they’re hair thin needles and the second you feel them touch your skin, it’s done; but maybe I say that because I’ve had acupuncture a few times before and now know what to expect. I didn’t think it was more painful than anywhere else I’ve gone, so don’t let that be the determining factor.
Now they say we’re going to add an electrical current, which I’m open to trying, but here’s the kicker… the KID comes in to put the electricity on! Of course I am a little hesitant, but I guess I was having a go-​with-​the-​flow kind of day. She explained to me that she was going to attach one clip to each needle, then turn on the electric just for that needle at the lowest setting, and gradually turn it up, checking with me at each interval. The more current you can take, the better. But let’s stop it wherever you’re uncomfortable. So we did that with four needles, and she was great about checking with me. This really just made the needles vibrate; didn’t do anything else, so it wasn’t like they were electrocuting me here or anything, by the way! She puts a heat lamp on my back, sets a timer, and leaves. Comes back in every five or so minutes to check on me. Actually very impressed with the kid’s customer service skills AND electric current plugging in abilities!
After the needles are out, she mentions upgrades like adding massage or cupping. I’ve never done cupping, but Gwyneth Paltrow has, which made me want to try it! Google it if you aren’t sure what it is. It actually felt great. The kid did the cupping, and did a great job with that as well!
I am not sure if I’d go back… It was really relaxing, but I felt a little pervy with the whole kid thing… I get that it’s common in other cultures for kids to work in the family business or whatever, but I don’t exactly feel right being nakey around your kid, even if it’s for a spa/​medical procedure.

I pulled the trapezoid muscle in my left shoulder blade and decided to use my Groupon voucher for the Troy Acupuncture Center.
One week ago, I received my first acupuncture treatment ever. I felt an immediate improvement.
I only felt the insertion of one needle. Then, the clips, that emit an electronic pulse, are attached to the needles. At this point, Dr. Xu starts to adjust the electronic pulse. She asks you, for each needle, if the electronic pulse is too strong and, if so, she adjusts it. Dr. Xu came in every so often to check on me and to check the electronic pulsing to see if I needed any adjustments. She also made sure I was comfortable and warm and checked my pulse.
I just had my second appointment yesterday. I decided to get an acupuncture massage right after the acupuncture. Yes, the gentleman did not speak any English but I did not find this a problem. He was very capable and did a fantastic job.
Both Dr. Xu and her Office Manager/​Intern, Jamaica, were very kind, helpful and informative. Jamaica said I could tip the masseuse but she NEVER said I had to.
I have another appointment and massage scheduled for next week.
After my visit and in my opinion, I would recommend the Troy Acupuncture Center to anyone who hasn’t tried acupuncture. I have already recommended their office to a friend of mine and I told my husband I want him to go too.
I felt 65% better after the first visit and even better after my second visit. Yes, I’m a little sore from the massage but it’s not something that I can’t deal with. Also, Dr. Xu suggested some Chinese herbal supplements for any aches and pains that I may have. They did not push the supplements just suggested them. I haven’t taken them yet but when I do; I will let you know how they work.
Give them a try. Not every person feels or experiences things the same way. The only way you will know if acupuncture is for you is to try it.

I have back problems, tingling in my feet … one trip to troy acupuncture and my back pain is much less and the tingling was gone. I have tried chiropractic, physical therapy, traction and nothing helped. Thanks troy acupuncture … I will be a regular customer.

The first time I went here was due to a Groupon and genuine curiosity regarding acupuncture. I must say, the needles really don’t hurt at all, (probably a 1 or 2 out of 10, if any), and the service I received was very friendly and professional. I regularly receive cupping therapy here now, as it has improved the symptoms of my fibromyalgia, etc.
While the doctor herself is very professional, I am deducting a star due to some of the massage therapists’ lack of English (and thus, overall inability to communicate with the patron due to the obvious language barrier). This is especially troubling when a masseuse is going to get the needles out of your body and (if he/​she forgets a needle, you won’t really be able to tell them!) (This particular situation did not happen to me, but it did happen to someone I know that I bought an additional Groupon for acupuncture here).
This sort of variability in one’s acupuncture session is obviously not going to inspire relaxation, or trust toward a practice that is already looked upon with hesitant scrutiny in the West. However, I would recommend this place regardless, and ask that anyone who is receiving acupuncture for the first time to do their own research so they know what to expect, and don’t suffer in silence if something is genuinely bothering you, like some of the other reviewers here did.

I had acupuncture for the first time today using a Groupon. After reading the reviews (which I read after I purchased the Groupon), I went not expecting much. I even looked up the translation to «it hurts» in Chinese per one of the other reviews. There was no need for translation. The doctor and I communicated just fine.

Dr Xu has been extremely patient and worked very hard to help me. She is knowledgeable and committed. Some have mentioned about a language barrier, yes she is from China, but I wanted someone that was well trained on the ancient art of acupuncture in a country where it has been practiced for over 2000 years. I am very pleased!

My husband went to this place because of Groupon for acupuncture. Once he got there, he specifically told the staff he wanted to see if acupuncture would work on his bad shoulder and that he did not want anything else done. While he was hooked up to needles, he was pressures again and again (I am counting close to 10 times) to get other work done. When he got tired of saying no, he finally gave in and agreed to cupping session as well. This was especially frustrating because, now we don’t know if the acupuncture worked or if it was the cupping. The lady who was doing the work did not speak English very well and it was a huge disappointment when you go somewhere and try to relax. She was not professional at all and he felt like he was at a local market getting pressured to buy things instead of at a medical place/​spa.
When he left the place, he was ASKED to tip! Being the nice guy he is, gave her a tip but it had been me, I would have chewed her out.
AVOID!!!

Going to the Troy Acupuncture Center was my first experience with acupuncture and I had excellent results. I decided to try acupuncture to complement drug therapy for treating atrial fibrillation (aka A-​Fib). I first met with the director of the center to discuss how acupuncture might help and to give her summaries of recent studies that suggested acupuncture could reduce the number and severity of A-​Fib episodes. After listening to her reactions and suggestions, I decided to go once-​a-​week for two months followed by bi-​weekly or monthly treatments only if the initial acupuncture program was effective which it was. I’m now going every other week and the results have been dramatic – many fewer and less severe A-​Fib episodes than in the past.
In contrast to another reviewer’s comments about difficulties communicating with the director and her staff, I haven’t had any problems. Yes, Chinese is their native language and at times it’s a challenge to be understood or understand. However, I’ve found the director willing to listen as well as express herself differently if repetition is needed.
FYI I can hardly feel when the very acupuncture needles are inserted or removed. And when I do, a second or two later, there is absolutely no discomfort at all.

I bought a Groupon in January and was excited to try acupuncture for the first time. I could tell from speaking with the receptionist on the phone that there was going to be a language barrier but I had no idea how serious it was until I walked in and recognized that I was the only white, native English speaker there. This is usually a good sign for the quality/​authenticity of the business but not so much if you’re trying to tell someone to remove the pulsing needle from your eyebrow and they can’t understand you (see below). Anyway, I was instructed to fill out some paperwork and go to room 3. When the doctor came in (I assume this is who it was, she never introduced herself) she barked at me to «take off my pants» and «relax,» two sentences that don’t usually go together in the same breath. I let her know that it was my first time doing acupuncture and I wasn’t sure what to do. She seemed to understand me but made no effort to reassure or explain, instead she just turned her head while I began undressing. As I was pulling my pant leg off, her assistant barged in and got a good look at my half naked body. Let’s just say, there was no polite knocking so wear your cute underwear.
Round two: I was told to lie on the bed (it looked like a massage table) and «the doctor» took my pulse and asked what my ailment was (sinus headaches). The website states that the pulse will be taken on both sides and the tongue will be examined. This lady listened to my pulse for two seconds then immediately started sticking needles in my head. There was no warning «Okay, take a deep breath, I’m going to begin piercing your skin with needles» she just jumped right in.
If you’re wondering how painful acupuncture is, I’d say it’s about a 5 out of 10 but lasts for 1 – 2 seconds for each «insertion.» That is, unless she pushes it in too hard or hits some kind of nerve (again, nothing was explained) and a few points around my nose/​eyebrow and leg were very uncomfortable. Her assistant spoke even less English so just smiled and began attaching the needles to some electric current generator so that they would pulse on my face. When she turned up the current too strong, I asked «That hurts, can you turn it down?» This is when the language barrier really came into play… she didn’t seem to understand me and wasn’t adjusting the buzzing so I spent a good 30 – 45 seconds gesturing frantically that I was in pain and could she please turn the knob down. This delightful miscommunication happened 3 – 4 times.
After the electric pulsater was adjusted to a manageable amount of pain, I was left alone in the room for (what felt like) 10 minutes. The whole experience was super uncomfortable, mostly because I had no idea what was happening and one particular needle felt like a hammer pounding on my eyebrow. I eventually had to ask the assistant to remove it when she came back in because my deep breathing yoga exercises weren’t cutting it and I felt woozy. Surprise, she had no idea what I was saying so had to go get the doctor, which took a few minutes more, and when SHE arrived she seemed visibly annoyed that I had requested her and literally grabbed some needles out of my head (I think 8) then made an off handed remark about «it’s not pain, it’s pressure, pressure is good… let’s see if you can handle it.»
Another 5 – 10 minutes passed then her assistant returned and pulled the remaining needles out. No warning, no explanation, just some needle grabbing and gesturing to redress. I guess massage was an option afterwards, which would have been awesome, but the left side of my head was literally pounding so I got out of there as soon as my pants were back on. Needless to say, they didn’t get a big tip from me.
I write this lengthy review to warn any first timers about this particular establishment (I still believe acupuncture can work, it just wasn’t happening here for me) and if you have a Groupon, at least you’ll know what to expect. Prior to going, I would consider learning the Chinese words for «ouch, can you turn it down/​pull it out» [insert crude joke here].