TIPS
recommendations for your first appointment
Many acupuncture points are on the upper back, the lower legs and on the arms below the elbows. This means skinny jeans and tight, long sleeved shirts and sports bras will likely interfere with treatment.
If you’re being treated for a specific injury, your acupuncturist will want to examine the affected area and likely treat it locally. When clothing is adjusted or removed, I will ensure you are comfortable throughout treatment.
Acupuncture is a holistic therapy. This means in addition to details about your specific concerns, Acupuncturists are also interested in how the body functions as a whole. Therefore, the more detailed information about your history + current health as well as your lifestyle, the more an informed decision regarding treatment can be made. This information is used to create an individualized treatment plan for you. As your treatments progress, you will find Acupuncture helping you in ways you may not have expected. Patients often notice improvements in sleep, digestion, and stress (to name a few).
It is not recommended for patients to have treatment on an empty stomach. Although not typical, you may feel light headed or dizzy after treatment. To optimize healing, eat just enough that you’re not hungry, but not so much that you’re full.
Traditional Chinese Medicine uses many diagnostic techniques, tongue diagnosis being one. Observing the coat on your tongue is important to validate other forms of diagnosis. Its shape, quality, color, and coating are all taken into account. For this reason, it’s best not to drink coffee, eat colored candy, or any food that will stain your tongue
Acupuncture needles are about as fine as the hair on your head. You can fit 20+ needles in the same width as the hypodermic needles you are accustomed to at the doctor’s office. While some patients occasionally feel a slight pinch at insertion, Acupuncture is not a painful experience. Our needles are single use, sterile, & hypoallergenic.
While acupuncture is more like a medical office visit rather than a spa appointment, it is very relaxing. After the pins have been inserted in the acupuncture points, you will relax on the table for around 15 minutes. This is a great time to clear your mind, meditate, or take a nap. Most people go into a deep state of relaxation–this is a state where profound healing occurs.
During & after your sessions, pay attention to how you feel. This information will help continue to tailor your treatment to fit your needs and provides a great foundation during times of reevaluation.