What to expect when you get an Acupuncture treatment

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 The 1st time appointment requires an in-depth intake form, medical history & experiences, reason for the appointment & your health objectives. A diagnosis is created by observation of the tongue, taking the pulses on both wrists & palpation. Then a treatment plan is formed and carried out.

 There is a series of questions that will be asked:

• temperature
• sweats
• appetite & digestion
• thirst & urination
• bowels
• pain
• sleep & memory
• energy
• emotions
• menstruation* if necessary
• male & female reproduction *if necessary  

Receiving an Acupuncture treatment on a massage table or a reclined chair. The very thin needles (pins) are inserted into specific points. Often you feel them getting inserted through the skin layers followed by a dull and heavy sensation this might allow your body to relax, sleep, be relieved of pain and re-energized. The pins are left in for a range of 10-45 minutes all depending on the constitution of the patient and the reason for treatment.

Acupuncture needles are about 10X smaller than a medical needle and are more like a sewing pin than a needle. You will feel the pins go in but most of the time they do not hurt and when they do it can be due to a stagnation or blockage. The sensation often eases off and the patient relaxes. If a pin hurts and you can't handle it, I will take it out and move on to the next point. You are the agent of your health care and I respect that. 

Sometimes one Acupuncture treatment can be helpful in relieving the condition. Often a set of treatments are needed to correct imbalances and alleviate chronic or serious conditions. Acute conditions can be helped with several treatments in one week. Long standing and complex conditions need consistent regular treatment.