Discover the Balance Within

It is understandable to be apprehensive about the insertion of needles. Acupuncture needles cause minimal to no pain. They are very different than the hypodermic needles used at the doctor’s office to vaccinate or draw blood. Acupuncture needles are hair-thin, sterile and disposable. Nothing is injected into the body from acupuncture needles. You may feel a slight stinging sensation upon insertion of the needles. After insertion, patients often report sensations of tingling, warmth, or heaviness, but rarely pain. Many patients report feeling a sense of deep relaxation or increased energy after a treatment. Sometimes the therapeutic changes are not felt until hours or days after the treatment.

Acupuncture is extremely safe when administered by a qualified and licensed professional. In fact, when practiced correctly, acupuncture is associated with very minimal side-effects and iatrogenic (doctor-caused) diseases. Thin, sterile needles are used and disposed of after each use so there is minimal risk of infection. The needles are inserted into the skin, fat, or muscle layers. They are never inserted into any internal organs or blood vessels.

It is best to arrive 10-15 minutes early to your first appointment so that you can fill out the necessary paperwork before beginning your session. Please allow between ninety minutes to two hours for your first treatment. The session begins with a discussion of your main complaint and a comprehensive health history. This is followed by an examination of your tongue and pulse, both of which are diagnostic tools used to assess your health condition. Physical examination may also be necessary, which may include palpation of certain areas of the body or certain acupoints. After the consultation, acupuncture and/or other modalities will be administered. Your acupuncturist will discuss with you the treatment protocol and any other recommendations regarding diet, exercise, and/or lifestyle.

The number of treatments varies depending on the severity and duration of the condition as well as the strength and constitution of the patient. In general, acute conditions may take just a few treatments while chronic conditions may take longer to treat. Many patients report feeling changes after one acupuncture treatment, however, it is not uncommon for patients to feel minimal to no changes, or for their conditions to worsen before improvements are seen. Weekly treatments are advised although some acute cases may require 2-3 treatments a week at the beginning of a course of treatment. It is highly encouraged that treatments be regular and consistent in order to achieve optimal results.

Acupuncture has a cumulative effect. Once symptoms improve and overall harmony and balance are reached, treatments are gradually reduced to once every other week and eventually once a month or less to maintain health and prevent reoccurrence. After the completion of your first visit, the recommended length of treatment will be discussed with you.

• Wear loose and comfortable clothing for easy access to acupuncture points. Often, it may be necessary to remove clothing for the treatment.
• Don’t eat large meals just before or after your visit. However, you should eat a light meal prior to treatment. You should avoid coming to a treatment on an empty stomach.
• Refrain from overexertion or the use of alcohol for up to 24 hours after your first visit.
• After your treatment, avoid stressful situations. Avoid swimming or excessive outdoor activities. Instead, make time to relax.
• Between visits, make notes of any changes in your body that may have occurred. Such as, the alleviation of pain or pain moving to a different area, changes in the frequency and/or type of problem, etc. This information will be important to share with your acupuncturist on your next visit.