What to know for my 1st appointment:
Length of Appointment:
The first visit usually runs 120 minutes.
Follow-up appointments are approximately 60 minutes.
Please let us know if you have an appointment immediately following your visit.

Arrive Early:
Please arrive a few minutes early, make sure your bathroom needs are met and begin to relax. This is your special hour! 

Please make sure you have something in your stomach; We are moving Qi, and if you have an empty stomach, we won't have much Qi to move!

What to Wear:
Loose comfortable clothing is best, as we usually need access to arms, legs, hands, and feet.  Feel free to bring shorts or loose pants to change into. 

Other Frequently Asked Questions:

What does Acupuncture Treat?
From The World Health Organization
In the hands of a well-trained practitioner, acupuncture has much broader applications beyond pain relief. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes the use of acupuncture in the treatment of a wide range of common illnesses including:2

Upper Respiratory Tract

  • Acute sinusitis

  • Acute rhinitis

  • Common cold and flu

  • Acute tonsillitis

Respiratory System

  • Acute bronchitis

  • Bronchial asthma (Most effective in children and uncomplicated conditions.)

Eye Disorders

  • Acute conjunctivitis

  • Central Retinitis Myopia (in children)

  • Cataracts (without complications)

Mouth Disorders

  • Toothache

  • Post Extraction Pain

  • Gingivitis

  • Acute and Chronic Pharyngitis

Gastrointestinal Disorders

  • Spasms of esophagus

  • Hiccough

  • Gastroptosis

  • Acute and Chronic Gastritis

  • Gastric Hyperacidity

  • Chronic Duodenal Ulcer (pain relief)

  • Acute Duodenal Ulcer (without complications)

  • Acute and Chronic Colitis

  • Acute Bacillary Dysentery

  • Constipation

  • Diarrhea

  • Paralytic Ileus

Neurologic and Musculoskeletal Disorders

  • Headache and Migraine

  • Trigeminal Neuralgias

  • Facial Palsy (early stage, i.e., within 3-6 months)

  • Pareses Following a Stroke

  • Peripheral Neuropathies

  • Sequelae of Poliomyelitis (early stage, i.e., within 6 months)

  • Meniere's Disease

  • Neurogenic Bladder Dysfunction

  • Nocturnal Enuresis (bedwetting)

  • Intercostal Neuralgia

  • Cervicobrachial Syndrome

  • Frozen Shoulder

  • Tennis Elbow

  • Sciatica

  • Low Back Pain

  • Osteoarthritis

  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

  • Back and Knee Pain

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Chronic Fatigue

  • Sports Injuries and Pains

Reproductive & Gynecological Conditions

  • Premenstrual Syndrome

  • Dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps)

  • Spotting and Excessive Bleeding

  • Amenorrhea (Loss of Menstrual Period)

  • Impotence

  • Infertility

  • Incontinence

  • Prostatis

Mental & Emotional Problems

  • Stress

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Insomnia

The World Health Organization Interregional Seminar compiled the above list of illnesses that may benefit from acupuncture treatment. The list is only a partial list and is based on clinical experience, and not necessarily on controlled clinical research. The inclusion of specific diseases are not meant to indicate the extent of acupuncture's efficacy in treatment, since all conditions may vary in severity and response.

Sources:
1. NIH, Acupuncture, Nov. 3-5, 1997, Vol. 15, No. 5, View the full Consensus.
2. World Health Organization. Viewpoint on Acupuncture. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization, 1979.

 

Does Acupuncture hurt?
The needles we use are very thin, similar to the thickness of human hair. Acupuncture are nothing like the hypodermic needles used during a shot.  In fact, 18-25 Acupuncture needles can fit into one hypodermic needle! Patients may feel an initial prick at the insertion of the needle. Once the needle is inserted, a patient may experience sensations around the needle or in the body, such as tingling or an aching sensation; these sensations are not painful and are normal.
And in case you are wondering, the needles used are always sterile and single use!

How does Acupuncture work?
Acupuncture uses fine needles inserted into specific acupuncture points. These acupoints are used to stimulate blood flow, reduces stress, release your body's natural painkillers, and stimulate the body's natural ability to heal itself. These are just a few ways acupuncture works to help you feel better. For a great article that explains more about how acupuncture works click here → http://chriskresser.com/chinese-medicine-demystified-part-iv-how-acupuncture-works/

How many treatments will I need?
This depends on you! On average, we say between 6 and 12 treatments, but that depends on the issue and the chronicity. If you have been suffering for many years, you will most likely need a longer period of treatment. If your sciatic pain just started acting up a few days ago, probably just a few treatments. Don't forget that YOU also need to be READY FOR CHANGE! It helps to envision your optimal state of being; What does healthy look like to you? Begin to explore what the general statement “feel better” means to you. During the treatments is a great time to begin envisioning your ideal healthy state. Working together, we will set up a treatment plan and program. If you have concerns about the treatment period, don't hesitate to share these concerns with your practitioner.