Your first visit
During the initial visit, you will fill out a detailed intake, providing me with the necessary information to assess your overall condition and current state of health. We will discuss your past medical history, as well as any therapies your have undergone or are currently receiving. This information will allow me to determine a treatment plan in which I will choose various points on your body to stimulate with acupuncture needles.
What are acupuncture needles like?
Acupuncture needles are extremely thin: much finer than any needle used in a doctor’s office. I am certified in Clean Needle Technique and use sterile, individually packaged, disposable needles.
What does acupuncture feel like?
Acupuncture causes a variety of sensations, some of which may feel foreign and unique. Patients often describe feeling heavy, achy pressure, or spreading, traveling sensations when the needles are being stimulated. If I release any active trigger points, which are constricted bands of muscle that cause pain, you will experience a muscle twitch response as the muscle hyper-contracts and then relaxes. After stimulation of a trigger point, the muscles tend to immediately feel looser, with a reduction in pain and stiffness.
How will I feel after receiving acupuncture?
After the needles have been stimulated you will be able to relax and let the treatment integrate into your body for 10–20 minutes. Many people feel deeply relaxed after treatments, while others may feel energized. It is best if you are able to take time out and rest after acupuncture to allow your body time to incorporate the treatment most effectively.
While receiving acupuncture, you may notice improvements in your sleep patterns, appetite, digestion, and emotions even if these are not symptoms involved in your chief complaint. This is an indication that your body is undergoing the healing process and improving function.
How many treatments will I need?
The benefits of acupuncture tend to be cumulative, working through layers of disharmony in order to achieve balance. I recommend one treatment a week for 3-4 weeks followed by a break for several weeks, which allows time for your body to thoroughly benefit from the series of treatments.
Many acute conditions will only need one series of treatments for the condition to be resolved. Long-standing disorders may take more time, requiring follow-up sessions to further the healing process. In these cases, we can schedule periodic maintenance treatments depending on how you feel.
Sessions may also be scheduled for preventative measures and general wellbeing.