Acupuncture First Appointment

What to expect during a treatment:

• During the initial consultation you fill out health history forms and answer questions related to your main complaint and general health.

• I check your eye (Iridology) your tongue, and your pulse (Chinese diagnosis). Handouts may be given out.

• I put together a treatment based on your health concerns, and any disturbances in your body’s energy flow. Your treatment method will be your choice and may depend on your comfort level

• If Acupuncture is chosen, I use new sterile, packaged acupuncture needles to stimulate certain points on your body. This is to achieve a specific goal such as to eliminate pain and improve health.

• Acupuncture needles are inserted through small guide tubes after the skin area has been cleaned with an antibacterial skin cleaner, or alcohol. All needles are disposed of after each use.

• The needles are generally painless, however there may be a slight pinching or mild sensation felt with some initially. This feeling goes away very quickly. When you are lying down during treatments you should not experience any pain. Most of the needles are not felt at all on insertion or afterwards.

• I may attach small electrodes to the needles to further move energy and clear up the problem area. This may produce a pulsating or tingly sensation, but it is not usually uncomfortable.

• I may warm above the needles with a moxi stick or heat lamp to relax muscles and tissues and improve blood flow. This method (moxi-bustion) creates a comforting, relaxing sensation.

• The needles are normally left in for 20 -30 minutes.

• Needles are removed and the area is cleaned. Sometimes a brief massage is required to further enhance relaxation of the muscles and tissues.

• Many health complaints are cleared up after a few short acupuncture treatments and others may require a series of treatments.