New Patient Intake Form

Consent/Arbitration Form

What to Expect

We recommend having a meal or a snack before your appointment. It isn’t necessary to have a full meal, but at least a snack can help your body have enough energy to maximize the treatment’s potential. Receiving acupuncture on an empty stomach may lead to feeling lightheaded or dizzy. It is also important to be hydrated. Try to avoid coffee right before a treatment (2hrs). Caffeine is a stimulant, who wants to be all jazzed up while relaxing on a massage table?

You don’t have to undress completely for an acupuncture treatment, most points can be accessed wearing shorts and a tank top. We suggest wearing loose clothing, or bringing a pair of shorts and a tank top to change into.

During the initial appointment, we will spend about 30 minutes going over your health history, we will ask questions and talk about your answers, we will feel your pulse, we will examine your tongue, and examine your body. The acupuncturist will come up with a treatment plan and will start the treatment. The second half takes about an hour as do follow up appointments. We will have you lay down and get comfortable on the treatment table, then we will place the needles in strategic positions on the body to address your concerns, improve blood flow, and relax the body.

The needles are made of very thin and flexible surgical grade stainless steel. The needles are very thin. About 25 acupuncture needles can fit into the head of a hypodermic needle! They only used once, never reused. Acupuncturists have other tools besides needles. We can use magnets or seeds in place of needles, but we also use infrared heat lamps, moxibustion, tui na, gua sha, and more.

FB_IMG_1508616761611.jpg

It is typical to come for a series of acupuncture treatments. Everyone reacts differently to acupuncture. Some people notice a difference right away, other people notice the next day, or later. Sometimes it takes more than one treatment to see a change. Somethings to consider is the duration of your symptoms. How long have you had your symptoms? How severe are they? Does your condition change in intensity or frequency? What other steps are you taking to address your concerns? How is your diet? What is your circulation like? All varying factors that may affect the success of your treatment.

For best results, you may not want to schedule strenuous activities after a treatment. Some people feel relaxed and rested while others may feel energized. Check in with how you respond and plan accordingly. We suggest you let the treatment settle in and let the healing process continue after you walk out the door.