Should I do anything special to prepare for my first appointment?
Give yourself plenty of time to fill out your medical history
forms. This will be your longest opportunity to discuss the
details of your condition; the more thorough you can be the
better, and all the more reason to arrive on time!
If you are suffering digestive complaints or want nutritional
counseling it may be helpful to bring a diet journal of three
consecutive days.
Two major diagnostic tools are pulse and tongue
examination. Please try to avoid caffeine on the day of your
appointment for an accurate assessment of pulse rate, and
please refrain from brushing your tongue for an accurate
assessment of tongue coating.
Please wear loose, comfortable clothing to your appointment if
at all possible. Most treatments can be done fully clothed
unless there is binding clothing which must be removed.
What should I expect on my first visit?
At your initial intake expect a complete and thorough review
of your medical history, a diagnostic examination which
includes checking pulses and tongue presentation and possibly
abdominal palpation or palpation of other areas of the
body. You may be given recommendations for dietary changes,
fluid intake, exercises, meditation, herbal medicine,
etc. (There is a lot to take in and you may feel like you are
floating as you leave the treatment room. Feel free to ask for
a list to remind you of what recommendations were made.)
It is helpful if you remember any changes that occur after
your treatment and report back at the following session, or
via email if there are questions or concerns.
Acupuncture – First Time
Does it hurt?
The needles used are extremely thin and are rarely felt upon
insertion. Upon resting with needles in it’s common to feel
tranquil, even euphoric as endorphins are released throughout
the body and energy is flowing freely.
There is a sensation at each acupuncture point, each with its
own unique qualities, which is very different from being
‘poked by a needle.’ We call it the ‘qi’ of the point and it
indicates the mind and body have been engaged in the process
of directing energy. We try to describe the feeling in advance
so you know what to expect and identify when it comes: heavy,
achy, electrical, etc. And we encourage and model deep breaths
throughout the process.
What if I’m needle-phobic?
If you are open enough to even consider acupuncture therapy,
you will likely be fine. Having someone describe what will be
done and where and how it will feel helps relieve anxiety and
so does helping you work with your breath to relax into the
treatment. Most people are surprised at how gentle it is after
so much anticipation.
If the fear is very strong, we may decide to begin with
acupressure or massage, and wait to move into acupuncture when
you feel ready. It’s important you feel safe, comfortable, and
have a trusting relationship with your practitioner in
vulnerable situations. It is possible to have powerful
treatment using touch, herbal medicine, nutritional therapy,
and many other modalities and bypass needles entirely.
Is it appropriate for children , pregnant women , patients on
blood thinners or with compromised immunity?
Yes. If you have concerns, speak with your practitioner about
them so you can begin treatment with confidence.
Acupuncture – Theory
How does it work?
Conduits of energy called ‘meridians ’ traverse the body within
the most exterior layer of skin and sinew to the most internal
layer of organs and bone marrow and everywhere in between. They
are like a roadmap of communication and transmission that
maintain balance throughout the different systems. Acupoints are
areas along the meridians which can be accessed through
pressure, resonance, and clarity of intention (all facets of
needling).
When your practitioner makes a diagnosis and treatment plan for
you she selects which meridian systems will best address your
needs and chooses which points along each best support the
objective. The combination of points used, the needling
technique, and the order in which needles are inserted all
determine which messages are relayed to the system.
Frequency of Care
How often should I receive treatments?
For very acute conditions, 2 or 3 times a week yields the most
successful outcomes. (This is when you are so incapacitated by
your condition that it impairs your ability to simply get
through the day and/or night.)
For chronic conditions, once a week for a period of time tends
to work well for most. Some meridians (luo and divergent
channels) are best engaged on more frequent basis. We can
discuss self care options such as self-application of
essential oils on acupoints in the interim between treatments
if it’s not possible to come in more often.
Why not stagger treatments?
The most effective treatments are done in relatively close
succession, so they can build on one another and you can most
effectively maintain your focus and consistency with dietary,
herbal and other lifestyle recommendations.
Intakes can get disproportionately long when too much time has
lapsed between sessions, and that means less time on the
treatment table.
Acute conditions can arise when visits are infrequent which
can detract from working on a root or constitutional
condition. Sessions then become more about ‘putting out fires’
than restoring balance at a deeper level.
Schedules can change and if you need to cancel or reschedule
already staggered appointments, the distance between
treatments grows even further.
If I am sick on the day of my appointment, should I cancel?
Only if you are too sick to get out of bed and make your way
over! Otherwise, receiving treatment is a wonderful way to
speed recovery and reduce further development of the
condition.
Please remember that all care is geared toward your overall
health and balance, even if you present with different
symptoms each time. This is a ‘living’ medicine and treatment
plans change to accommodate your changing
presentations. Frequency of treatment always reinforces your
body’s ability to gain equilibrium more quickly and
efficiently.
Duration of care/Course of treatment
How long will I need to come before I am better?
This is such an individual question it is truly impossible to
answer with any level of certainty. There are many elements
that can speed or slow your healing process—psychological
factors, sleep, diet, chronicity and severity of condition,
concurrent conditions and pharmaceutical side effects, immune
and constitutional integrity, receptivity to treatment,
detoxification/healing crisis (which is actually a great
indicator of improvement but can feel like the opposite).
It’s best to discuss your case and expectations personally
with your care provider after your initial meeting and
diagnosis.
