Q: How should I prepare for my first appointment?

Please be sure to complete the new patient forms. Wear loose, comfortable clothing, or bring shorts to change into. Don't come on an empty stomach; eat something before. At the start of your first appointment, I will review your health history and your current condition and health goals.

Q: What does acupuncture feel like? Does it hurt?

Acupuncture uses filiform needles that are significantly thinner than a hypodermic needle. While patients experience a range of sensations, the effect is one of relaxation. A sense of heaviness, pressure, pulsing or tingling are all normal responses at the sight of acupuncture points. We are trying to send your body a signal, and this kind of response is good! While these sensations might be strange at first, most are temporary and patients usually drift off into a half-sleep ("Acu-nap") or a deep state of relaxation during the treatment. 

Q: How many treatments do I need?

As with most aspects of Chinese medicine, this depends on your individual case.  While acute pain conditions might respond in a couple sessions, chronic or recurrent conditions will require longer and more regular treatment. Recurrent conditions, for example throwing your back out twice a year or monthly migraines, will benefit from treatment during a flare-up, but especially from preventive treatments when you are symptom-free. Long term gynecological conditions, and fertility especially, often require treatment over the course of 3 months or cycles, as it takes 3-6 months for follicles to develop before ovulation. The frequency of treatment also depends on your response. For many patients, weekly may be enough to manage symptoms, but twice weekly will get to the root, and prevent future symptoms. The effect of acupuncture treatments is cumulative, and my goal is to get you to a point where it can maintain balance and health on your own!