FAQ

Access to the office is by appointment only.

Patients are able to book online through JaneApp or by calling and speaking to our team. It’s important that patients complete intake forms prior to their first treatment.

We hold your appointment time just for you — here's how we handle changes: Appointments cancelled with more than 24 hours notice will not incur a charge. Patients who provide less than 24 hours notice, or miss their appointment, will be charged a cancellation fee to the card on file.

For initial appointments, a late cancellation or no-show will incur a $50 fee.

For followup appointments, late cancellation or no-shows will be charged on an increasing basis within a 12 month period beginning from the first missed appointment. The first late cancellation or no-show will not incur a charge, the second will incur a fee of $80, while the third late cancellation will incur a fee of $160.

Appointments cancelled last minute due to hazardous conditions will not be billed, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have a concern about driving in bad weather.

Laura holds a Clinical Doctorate of Acupuncture from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences University, along with a Master's degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine. She is board-certified by NCBAHM in acupuncture and herbal medicine and licensed to practice in the State of Maine.

Her doctoral research focused specifically on how integrating acupuncture into the Western medical system can improve patient outcomes — a focus that continues to shape how she practices today.

Her training includes over 1,000 clinical hours and 3,000 didactic hours across thirteen internships in a range of healthcare settings — including Boston Medical Center and the New England School of Acupuncture clinic — giving her firsthand experience with how acupuncture fits alongside conventional medical care.

She continues her education through the WPC Graduate Mentorship Program and ongoing coursework in oncology and women's health, keeping her practice current with evidence-informed approaches to care.

She is dedicated to supporting patients through evidence-based, collaborative, patient-centered care — including close coordination with the physicians and providers already treating you.

Yes. Acupuncture is designed to complement, not replace, care from your physicians and other providers. Dr. Hamill's doctoral training specifically examined how acupuncture can be integrated into Western medical care to improve patient outcomes, and her clinical training included internships in hospital settings, including Boston Medical Center.

If it's helpful to your treatment, Dr. Hamill will coordinate directly with your physicians or other providers so your care stays connected. She also has ongoing coursework in oncology and women's health, giving her additional context for patients managing more complex medical situations.

If you're navigating a specific diagnosis or treatment plan and aren't sure how acupuncture might fit in, feel free to reach out before booking — we're happy to talk it through.

Our office accepts insurance. We are currently in-network with Anthem BCBS, Aetna, Harvard Pilgrim, United Healthcare, and the VA Community Care Network.

In the case that we are an out-of-network provider, we will courtesy-bill your insurance and/or provide a super-bill that you are able to submit to your insurance company.

We accept payment from HSA/FSA accounts. 

Acupuncturists are currently unable to bill Medicare directly, but we are able to bill some Medicare Advantage Plans. Mainecare does not cover acupuncture.

Most insurance plans only cover acupuncture for pain conditions and some are restricted to particular types of pain. It is important for you to speak with your insurance company about which conditions are covered by your plan.

Refer to this guide for instructions on how to confirm your acupuncture benefits: HOW TO CHECK YOUR INSURANCE BENEFITS

Initial appointments are 80 minutes. You can expect a lengthy intake, lasting roughly half the session. We will discuss your concerns and health history in-depth, identify goals, and create a plan that includes diet and lifestyle modifications. The remainder of the session will be treatment-focused. Dr. Hamill may send you home with lifestyle modifications, therapies that extend treatment, and/or an herbal formulation. Please note, the cost of herbs is not covered by the treatment fee. 

Follow-up appointments begin with a brief intake reviewing updates since our last session. They last 50 minutes and more time is directed toward treatment rather than intake.

Please complete all patient forms prior to your first appointment.

Please be sure to have eaten something within two hours of your treatment. 

It is best to wear loose fitting clothing, like gym shorts and a tee shirt. This allows for comfort and ease of treatment. Draping is used for modesty and areas of the body are only exposed as necessary for treatment.

You may feel tired, and occasionally sore, after treatment. Whenever possible, we suggest scheduling in a more relaxed day after your treatment. 

Every modality we use — needles, cupping, gua sha, moxibustion — serves the same TCM goal: moving what's stuck and supporting what's depleted. Which tools we use, and when, depends on your specific pattern.

Acupuncture is one modality of traditional East Asian medicine. It involves the insertion of very fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body. Points are selected based on your individual presentation to support the body’s natural regulatory processes, improve circulation, calm the nervous system, and reduce pain and inflammation.

Treatment may also include additional modalities, depending on your needs:

Gua sha: a manual technique using a tool to gently stroke the skin. It promotes circulation, releases muscle tension, and helps resolve areas of tissue restriction. Temporary redness or light marking is common and typically fades within a few days.

Moxibustion: the gentle warming of specific acupuncture points using dried mugwort (moxa). The heat penetrates deeply to improve circulation and support metabolic and immune function, particularly in presentations involving coldness, fatigue, or deficiency. It is generally soothing and deeply relaxing.

Cupping: glass, silicone, or plastic cups are placed on the skin to create therapeutic suction. This technique increases local circulation, reduces muscle tension, and supports tissue recovery. Circular marks may appear temporarily and typically fade within several days.

Electroacupuncture: a modern adaptation in which a mild electrical current is applied to acupuncture needles. The stimulation enhances therapeutic effects, particularly for pain conditions, neurological concerns, and muscle recovery. The sensation is gentle and rhythmic.

Acupuncture needles are extremely thin (about the width of a hair), much thinner than the needles used for injections or blood draws. When inserted, you may feel a tiny pinch, a brief tingling, warmth, heaviness, or a dull ache — but it’s usually very mild and lasts just a few seconds.

Many patients find treatments deeply relaxing and even fall asleep during their session.

If you’re nervous about needles, let your practitioner know — treatments can always be adjusted to make you as comfortable as possible.