WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON MY FIRST VISIT?
The acupuncturist will assess your general health in your initial consultation. Be prepared to share about your current symptoms, treatment you’ve received, information about your medical history, your diet, digestive health, sleeping patterns and emotional state. The information will help the acupuncturist form a personalized treatment for your overall vitality.
You will receive your first acupuncture treatment on your first visit. Specific points on the body will be treated according to your symptoms. The points may change in your next visits to target your most current condition. Other modalities like Cupping or Gua Sha may be applied and Chinese herbal medicine may be prescribed.
WHAT SHOULD I DO BEFORE TREATMENT?
Try your best to come relaxed. We recommend wearing loose, comfortable clothing to your acupuncture treatments. The acupuncturist may need to access points on your back, torso, arms and legs. Removing jewelry, scented fragrances and your cell phone will help free your treatment from distractions.
Avoid
- Eating a big meal within one hour of your appointment
- Fasting for more than six hours before your appointment
- Alcohol, tobacco, food or drinks that color your tongue (such as coffee) immediately prior to treatment and following a treatment
- Vigorous exercise within the hour before treatment
WHAT DOES ACUPUNCTURE FEEL LIKE?
First time patients may feel nervous about the needles. Rest assured the needles are very thin and when inserted in the right place, there is no pain. Normal sensations of Traditional Acupuncture are a heavy, achy pressure on the treated point or a surge of energy through the treated meridian.
Trigger Point Acupuncture is more aggressive and normally feels like an electrical sensation causing an involuntary twitch in the muscle. These sensations may feel awkward at first, but ultimately feel deeply satisfying as the area is treated and released of the blockage that is causing unwanted symptoms. Depending on your sensitivity, you may feel more or less sensation than others. Communicate with the acupuncturist to make sure they know how you are feeling.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?
The number of treatments will depend on your symptoms and condition. Typically, a series of treatments that begin with twice a week and decrease to once a week after several weeks is necessary to achieve the maximum benefit. Being a consistent patient and complying to the acupuncturist’s recommendations inside and outside of the clinic may help speed up your recovery process. Even as symptoms are no longer present, work with your acupuncturist to boost your source of energy and your entire well-being to keep unwanted symptoms from resurfacing.
HOW LONG DO APPOINTMENTS LAST?
Your first visit may take longer, but each treatment runs approximately 30 minutes.
HOW WILL I FEEL AFTER ACUPUNCTURE?
Patients feel relaxed and calm. On the rare case you feel dizzy, sit down and drink some water to gather yourself before leaving the clinic. Depending on the type of treatment you received, there will be different side effects. Refer to our services page for specific side effects. After a session, avoid big meals, unhealthy substances and strenuous exercise.
