Do I Tip My Acupuncturist?

Do I tip my acupuncturist?

This can be a gray area since some acupuncturists work in spa-like settings where it is expected that you tip for most everything. I do have patients who will ask me if they are supposed to tip and I tell them the same thing, “No.”

I do not expect my patients to tip me. If you pay for your treatment with a credit or debit card, you will see an option to leave a tip when you sign during the transaction. This is built into the Point of Sale software that allows me to accept credit card payments and I’m not able to change it. I always tell patients to please ignore it. Tips are not necessary.  I find it kind when patients try to tip me, but I tell them to keep their money and go buy a cup of coffee or something special for themselves instead.

As one patient put it so nicely, “I do not tip my doctor or medical professional so I don’t tip for acupuncture.” Well stated.