Your initial visit will usually last sixty to ninety minutes, and a lot of this time will be spent getting to know you. The first visit starts with a conversation about your health concerns, and also includes a medical questionnaire and a Traditional Eastern Medicine exam. This will be followed by a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan.
In an acupuncture treatment, fine, sterile needles are inserted at specific points along the meridian pathways. These points are carefully chosen, based on your health issues and symptoms. Adjunctive therapies may be incorporated as needed.
Here are some things we would like to suggest for you to get the most out of your treatments:
- Please bring the list of medications and supplements you are currently taking
- Eat a light meal prior to your acupuncture session
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing
- Avoid consuming any alcohol on the day of your treatment
- After your treatment, drink plenty of water
- Refrain from overexertion on the day of your treatment
- Keep your appointments, as each visit builds upon the previous ones
- Follow your treatment plan between visits
The number of treatments will vary from person to person based upon individual needs. As part of your first visit, an appropriate course of treatments for your specific condition will be discussed. In general, acute conditions of recent onset may only require two or three treatments. Chronic conditions usually require more treatments to achieve sustained results. You will often feel markedly better in a short amount of time, but more significant improvements often occur incrementally. Please remember that your actions are a key component in the effectiveness of your treatment plan.