AI receptionist for acupuncture clinics: how it works

Why do acupuncture clinics miss calls?

Treatments need your full attention, and many acupuncturists work alone or with a small team. When the phone rings mid-session, it usually goes unanswered, and a new patient may call another clinic. An AI receptionist answers every call, 24/7, and books the patient while they're still on the line.

What can an AI receptionist do for an acupuncture clinic?

• Book the right appointment type: initial consultation and treatment, follow-up treatment or a package visit, each with the right length.
• Book with the practitioner the patient asks for, or the next available one.
• Move and cancel appointments in your practice software.
• Answer admin questions from your own information: prices, packages, how long a first visit takes, what to wear, parking and your cancellation policy.
• Take a deposit or payment on the call if you take them, and sell gift cards.
• Fill gaps with waitlist texts when a slot opens, and send a text back to any call you miss.

Which booking systems does it work with?

CallPad books in real time with a named practitioner into Cliniko, including your appointment types, and into Setmore, Zoho Bookings, Google Calendar, Square Appointments, Mindbody and the other systems on the booking systems CallPad works with. CallPad doesn't book into Jane yet; see Does Jane App have an AI receptionist?. For Cliniko details, read CallPad with Cliniko.

How should it handle clinical questions?

An AI receptionist shouldn't say whether acupuncture will help a condition or whether it's safe for someone. Tell it which questions to pass on, such as health conditions, pregnancy, medication, needle concerns or how someone feels after treatment. CallPad transfers those calls to your team or takes a message, and your team gets an email saying what the caller wanted. We also recommend your instructions tell anyone describing an emergency to contact emergency services.

What about patient privacy?

Ask any provider how it stores call recordings and patient details, and who can access them. CallPad keeps treatment details out of reminder and confirmation texts. For US clinics, CallPad offers a BAA. In Australia, CallPad complies with the Australian Privacy Act. This is general information, not legal advice.

How do you set it up?

• Connect your booking or practice software so the AI sees your appointment types, lengths and practitioners.
• Add your prices, policies and the questions it should pass on.
• Forward your calls, either all of them or only the ones your team misses. Your number stays the same.
• Make test calls for a new client, a reschedule and a clinical question, check the bookings, then go live.

With CallPad, setup takes about 10 minutes.

How CallPad helps

CallPad is an AI receptionist for salons, spas, med spas and clinics in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. It answers every call 24/7, handles several calls at once and screens out spam calls. It answers questions from your own information, including your prices, and speaks several languages. It books, moves and cancels appointments in real time with a named stylist or practitioner on the booking systems CallPad works with, including multi-service bookings, and can take a deposit or payment on the call or sell a gift card. If you have more than one location, it asks which one the caller wants and books into that location's calendar. It also replies to texts and can book by text, sends missed-call text-backs and texts clients on your waitlist when a slot opens up. When a caller needs a person, it transfers the call to your team or takes a message, and your team gets an email saying what the caller wanted. Setup takes about 10 minutes. For clinical questions, it hands the call to your team rather than answering itself.

Related guides

• Does Cliniko have an AI receptionist?
• AI receptionist for physiotherapy clinics
• AI receptionist for osteopaths
• AI receptionist for massage therapists

Frequently asked questions

Can an AI receptionist book acupuncture appointments?

Yes. CallPad books, moves and cancels appointments in real time with the practitioner the patient asks for, using your appointment types, such as an initial consultation or a follow-up treatment. It works with Cliniko and the other systems on its list.

Will it tell callers whether acupuncture can help them?

No. CallPad doesn't answer clinical questions. Questions about conditions, suitability, pregnancy, medication or side effects go to your team: it transfers the call or takes a message, and your team gets an email saying what the caller wanted.

Does CallPad work with Jane App?

Not yet. Jane isn't one of CallPad's live integrations. CallPad books into Cliniko, Setmore, Zoho Bookings, Google Calendar and the other systems on its list.

Can it sell treatment packages and gift cards?

CallPad answers questions about your packages and prices from your own information, can take a payment or deposit on the call and sells gift cards.

Does CallPad offer a BAA for US acupuncture clinics?

CallPad offers a BAA. Ask any provider how it stores call recordings and patient details, and check your own obligations with your adviser.

Try CallPad

Ask us about your clinic, or hear CallPad answer a booking call.