What to Expect

Prior your visit 

• Fill out New Patient Forms  to expedite the discovery process

• Eat a light meal a few hours prior to your visit.   Acupuncture is not performed on individuals who are fasting.  Being overly hungry increases the risk of nausea or dizziness. At the same time, please do not overeat or eat foods that may cause upset stomach.

• Wear loose, comfortable clothing.  Acupuncture points are located all over the body.  Many commonly used acupuncture points are located between the wrists, elbows, ankles and knees.  You will be more comfortable if your clothing can be easily rolled up to your elbows and knees.

Your First Visit 

Your first visit will begin with an in-depth assessment of your condition and an initial acupuncture treatment.  The intake and treatment may take up from 45 minutes to one hour, depending on your condition.  Typical follow-up treatments last approximately 30-45 minutes.

During the assessment, you may be asked about things that you might not think are connected to your primary complaint, such as your emotions, sleep patterns, and eating habits.  Chinese medicine considers the whole person, not just one isolated symptom.  When put together, the myriad of symptoms and signs you are experiencing reveal patterns of disharmony.  Although treatment will focus on your primary complaint, your whole being must be considered in order to develop the most appropriate course of treatment.

Needles are typically retained for about 30 minutes and every patient has different sensations.  You may feel sore, numbness, warmth or swelling; but many feel relaxed when the needle is inserted beneath their skin. Most doctors commonly use eight to ten needles during treatment. Sometimes more than 20 needles will be inserted, if a patient comes in with multiple symptoms at the same time.  In addition to acupuncture, treatments may also include gua sha, cupping, infrared therapy, herbal prescriptions.

Individual response to treatment varies.  It is typical that a patient finds relief after the first treatment.  It can be a few hours later or the next day.  The relief may last for a few hours on the first visit and then last longer with each subsequent treatment.

Side effects are rare, but may include the following: feeling lightheaded, dizziness, sleepiness, euphoria, nausea, slight bruising, and residual muscle aches.  Any of these side effects should only last a short time.  Staying hydrated after your treatment will help to minimize these side effects,  as will resting after your treatment.   Any side effects should be reported at your next visit.

On rare occasions, one’s original symptoms may briefly get worse, or “flare-up,” after a treatment.  It usually indicates your body’s quick response to the acupuncture needle’s wake up call.  A body must fully expel a pathogen in order for healing to occur.  A flare-up typically occurs later on in the day of your treatment and should only last for a few hours.  After a flare-up, your symptoms should begin to improve.

Follow-Up Visits

Acupuncture is designed to serve as a complement to any other health related solutions that you have decided to take advantage of.  This may entail setting up a follow-up appointment, recommending herbal supplements, or simple coaching on relaxation & meditation techniques.  In general, acute conditions may only require three to five treatments.  Chronic conditions usually require more treatments.  One visit a week is suggested after the initial treatment in order to find relief.  It is normal that your relief may plateau after the initial few treatments.  It is important to follow through on the treatments.  The more consistent you are, the better the likelihood of results.  With your persistence, you will find your recovery is remarkable.