Your First Visit

 

Our goal is to make your visit as relaxing and healing as possible. Ideally, you will leave your acupuncture appointment feeling rested and refreshed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During your visit

 

Generally, your first appointment, typically 90-120 minutes, will last longer than follow-up visits. You will be asked to complete a questionnaire so that we can review your medical history, current health concerns, and goals for treatment. Please bring a list of current medications, including any prescriptions, herbal supplements, and vitamins. Additionally, it is helpful to bring the results of any medical tests relevant to your condition. This data, along with a few simple diagnostic procedures, will allow us to tailor a treatment plan specifically for you. You may be asked a wide range of questions about your eating, sleeping habits, emotional state and anything that may offer insight into your health.

 

We use TCM diagnostic tools including observing your tongue and taking your pulse. This will help us assess your constitutional pattern and create the most effective TCM treatment plan that is customized just for you. At this point, we will discuss diagnostic impressions and recommend a course of treatment. Based on your diagnosis and treatment goals, the initial treatment will generally focus on 3-10 points. The needles are hair thin, sterile and disposable. Usually, the patient feels little or no discomfort. Most patients feel pleasantly relaxed during this time. The acupuncture needles we use are approximately 100 times smaller than typical needles used for injections. Needles will be retained about 20-30 minutes depending upon the diagnosis.

 

The needles make contact with lines of energy. For the practitioner, this contact feels like a fish gently tugging on a line. Patients often report a similar, painless tug. It’s helpful for you to report this experience, as well as any additional sensations, from a tiny tap or pinch to a dull soreness, as these sensations can further help your practitioner diagnose energy blocks and flows. Patients are generally surprised by the gentleness of insertion, but needles that cause discomfort can be adjusted or removed at any time.

 

Once the needles have been placed, you will rest comfortably for 20-30 minutes. To promote the body’s healing, it’s helpful to refrain from talking, reading, and cell phone interaction during this time. Most patients experience a deep sense of restfulness and well-being. It’s not uncommon to fall asleep, and in fact, a short nap is beneficial to the flow of Qi.

 

When your acupuncture therapy is complete, we will gently remove and dispose the needles. We may check your pulse and ask how you are feeling in order to evaluate the body’s response to treatment.

 

After your treatment we will discuss your TCM wellness plan. We will provide a customized herbal medicine options for you. In addition, we will make nutritional and lifestyle recommendations based on your constitutional diagnosis.

 

After your visit

 

Immediate Reactions After Acupuncture (the first 24-48 hours)

 

Pain Relief: Acupuncture is known for its instant pain relief. If you were treating acute pain or injuries,  you may experience a long-lasting pain relief after acupuncture. However, if you were treating chronic pain, you may notice the pain easing during the treatment session, but the pain comes back after a few hours or even return with a revenge. Thus, if the pain is worse after acupuncture, do not panic or worry, but take some sensible steps to help calm the pain, like resting, or take some painkillers if needed. It is important for the patient to give the doctor the feedback on how long the pain relief lasted and if any changes in the pattern or site of the pain.

 

Relaxation: You may feel deeply relaxed which can last for hours or even for a day. As modern medical researchers have noticed a higher amount of endorphins (body’s natural morphine in the brain) is secreted after the acupuncture treatment, that may explain why you may experience a natural high after acupuncture. The best thing you can do in this situation is rest. Please try to avoid any vigorous activity immediately afterwards. Your body heals faster when you spend more time in a deep sleep state.

 

Elimination: Some patients experience detox symptoms such as increased urination after the acupuncture session, increased frequency of bowel movements, increased volume, or stronger odor. Both are good indications that the body has increased the level of metabolism, resulting in better energy flow in kidney and spleen meridians.

 

Emotions: Some patients may become more emotionally sensitive for a short period of time, such as crying without reason, grieving for something that happened long ago. It is healthy to release your emotions from time to time, like emptying an emotional bucket. You might use this opportunity to start an in-depth emotional conversation with friends. After this period of emotional liberation -usually two or three days – you will feel lighter and more content with your life.

 

Long-term Reactions After Acupuncture (2 – 4 weeks)

 

Running nose, sore throat and some cold symptoms may appear during the second or third week of an acupuncture treatment. In Chinese medicine, an unresolved cold or flu was the underlying cause of many health problems, like poor circulation, stiff neck and back and migraine. These symptoms usually last for a week. Some Chinese herbs may promote faster healing.

 

Some patients may notice a recurrence of other previously resolved symptoms. This can be attributed to increased body energy expelling underlying ailments. This recurrence usually produces symptoms milder than what is normally experienced. Please let us know if you experience any change in your symptoms or severity. A reassessment of the patient's condition will be necessary in order to correctly modify the treatment plan.

 

 

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns after your treatment.

 

 

Prior your visit

 

To enhance the relaxation benefits of acupuncture, it’s helpful to avoid scheduling an appointment directly before or after strenuous or stressful activities. In advance of your treatment, prepare your body for relaxation. Please wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing. Commonly used acupuncture points tend to be located between the wrists and elbows and the ankles and knees, so it’s helpful to wear clothing that can be comfortably rolled up to your elbows and knees. If you’re coming from work, you can bring a change of clothes, such as athletic shorts. We recommend that you eat a little snack/meal about 1-2 hours prior to your treatment so that your stomach is not too empty or too full.