Before Your Appointment
DO fill out your intake forms in advance of your appointment so I can learn about you and what I can help you with.
DO eat a little something before you arrive. Acupuncture works best when not on an empty stomach and not when you're too full either!
DON'T worry about what to wear. Wear whatever you want! A sheet or towel will be provided to properly drape you.
DON'T consume alcohol or stimulants before your appointment.
During Your Appointment
We'll start by talking through your health history, your current lifestyle, and your reasons for seeking out treatment. I'll do some physical assessments too, most notably looking at your tongue and feeling your radial pulses - this may seem odd for the uninitiated but it is a fundamental part of Chinese medicine diagnosis and allows me to determine what is going on inside your body and which of your systems (or Chinese medicine 'pathways') require attention.
Based on all of the information that I gather from you, I'll determine your Treatment Plan which I'll discuss with you. This will involve a combination of one or more Chinese Medicine modalities, such as:
Acupuncture
The insertion of ultra-thin, sterile needles at specific points along energy pathways to balance your body's systems and promote healing.
Moxibustion
The warming of specific points using moxa (dried mugwort) to increase circulation and stimulate healing.
Cupping
The application of glass cups to create suction on the skin, helping to release tension, improve circulation, and reduce inflammation.
Gua Sha
A gentle scraping technique that promotes circulation and releases muscle tension using a smooth-edged tool.
Tui Na
A therapeutic massage technique that targets acupressure points and energy channels to balance the body's energy.
All of these treatments are painless (even the needles!). In terms of what you will feel, each person is different but you can expect a variety of sensations that may include warmth, a pleasant heaviness or dull ache, tingling, a sense of movement throughout your body, emotional / tension release and a deep relaxation. Many people take a nap during their treatment.
At the end of your treatment, we will discuss next steps. I may give you some dietary and lifestyle recommendations for home, to align with your treatment plan and to best enhance your wellness between acupuncture visits.
We will discuss what medical care you are currently receiving (if any). If you are already seeing a doctor or medical specialist for your issue, then I will work integratively with them as part of your wellness team. I may also recommend / refer you to another medical specialist if I feel it is warranted.
I may recommend that you come back for another session or a longer course of treatment. This will depend on your particular case. Acute issues can resolve relatively quickly in 1 - 2 sessions but more chronic issues will take more time. Acupuncture works great as a preventative measure and many people continue to get treatments on a bi-weekly or monthly basis to maintain their wellbeing and manage stress.
After Your Appointment
DO drink plenty of water
DO enjoy a nourishing meal
DO take it easy
DO try to avoid drafts, and keep your body warm
DON'T hit the gym or go raving - you will want to savor your "acu zen" feeling and the relaxing effects of your treatment
