Treatment/Office Visit
What can I expect when I go to an Acupuncturist?
On your first visit, we will listen carefully to you in an extensive interview which provides vital clues to an overall pattern of health or disease, starting with a discussion of the main reason you are seeking Acupuncture. A detailed history of your general health will also be reviewed to help further develop an appropriate treatment plan. Diagnosis focuses on identifying the nature, location, and degree of imbalances of energy in the body and the organ system affected. It pulls together many apparently unrelated signs and symptoms to form a “pattern disharmony” that points the Acupuncturist toward a root cause for a particular problem, thereby suggesting an appropriate treatment. Each subsequent session will start with a brief review of any changes since the last treatment, to note any evolution and progression so that treatments continue to be unique to your body's needs. First time appointments are approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Follow up appointments are approximately 1 hour.
How many treatments are needed and how often?
The number of treatments varies greatly depending on the duration, severity, and nature of your complaint and is discussed on a case-by-case basis. But a majority of our patients feel a sense of relief and calmness almost immediately. Acupuncture treatments have a cumulative healing effect. Generally, the recommendation is two to three treatments per week for the first few weeks. Once a week treatment may be given after the condition has significantly improved.
How should I prepare?
There is very little that the patient needs to do. It’s advisable for people to wear comfortable clothing that gives access to the knees and elbows. It is also best to avoid being treated immediately after a big meal, or when extremely fatigued, upset, or hungry, and no alcohol or drugs (other than prescribed medications) on the day of the treatment. And drink plenty of water before and after being needled. Between visits, check in on yourself, and note any changes in areas such as sleep, digestion, energy levels, etc. These can provide input for your next visit.
How long do treatments take?
You should plan on being at the office for about 90 minutes for the first visit. This allows enough time to complete any paperwork, get a complete medical history, and to do the first Acupuncture treatment itself. Subsequent visits will be about an hour, depending on your treatment plan.
Are the needles clean?
The practice among acupuncturists in America today is to use sterilized, individually packaged, disposable needles made from surgical stainless steel. Needles are used only once and then disposed in a biowaste container for recycling. This eliminates the possibility of transmitting a communicable disease by a contaminated needle.
What happens to the needle after they are used?
We use the highest quality disposable needles, and they are placed in a biohazard container after use. Full containers are shipped to a medical waste facility for safe disposal.
What can I expect after treatment?
You may note a spot of blood at one or more of the needle sites and/or a small bruise could develop. These should not be harmful, but please talk to your practitioner if you are concerned. Patients often experience the most dramatic results after the first treatment. Some patients experience an immediate total or partial relief of their pain or other symptoms. This relief may last or some pain may return after a day or so. In a few cases, there may be no immediate relief, but patients notice the diminishment of pain over the next couple of days. Generally, you should expect to feel better, but in some small percentage of cases the treatment provokes a “healing crisis” in which the pain actually increases as a result of the treatment. This is actually a positive sign and usually indicates that relief will follow subsequent treatments.
Do you treat children?
We do not treat anyone under the age of 15. Patients under the age of 18 will need their parent’s consent and must be accompanied by a parent for at least the initial treatment session.
Can I use insurance for Acupuncture?
More insurance companies have been including coverage for Acupuncture. We are out of network providers for most insurers and will be happy to verify whether your medical plan covers Acupuncture. Please submit the form from here.
