Your first session will be a full inquiry into your symptoms and lifestyle – including diet, work/life balance and stress factors. Because acupuncture looks at the body in a holistic way, symptoms are not seen in isolation but rather as part of an integrated approach. Diagnosis is made by evaluating your history, symptoms and emotional wellbeing, together with taking your pulse (it is believed to reflect the strength and balance of energies in all of your organs) and observing your tongue (the color and texture of the tongue can show how the body is functioning).  Depending on what is found, a selection of points will be made. At the end of your first session you will have your first treatment, and we will discuss your ongoing treatment plan.

As well as acupuncture, your treatment plan may also include deep relaxation exercises, bodywork (i.e. chinese tui na massage), and food therapy to support your healing.

Only disposable, single-use, sterile needles are used. Acupuncture needles are regulated and approved by the FDA, indicating that acupuncture is a safe and effective medical treatment.  The needles are as fine as a human hair and are tapped in through a tiny tube.  Most patients do not feel anything except the relaxation of the treatment.  They are left in for 20-45 minutes during which time you relax under a heat lamp while soft music plays.  Many patients fall asleep due to the deep relaxation induced by the body’s release of endorphins.

If you wish not to treat with needles, optional treatment is offerred with acupressure, chinese tui na massage and/or cupping therapy, which are completely non-invasive.

A treatment program consists of about 4-10 sessions, depending on your individual medical needs and treatment response and results.  Each treatment program is then re-evaluated based on your progress.  Sessions are usually weekly or bi-weekly.  As symptoms improve we lengthen the time between visits transitioning to a maintenance program.

The number and frequency of treatments will vary from patient to patient. Some patients feel relieve from their symptoms after the first session, while others may need more.  Your body constitution, your particular condition, the length of time that you have had your condition, and your commitment and consistency to treatment all play a part in this.

Acupuncture treatment often leads to a new sense of balance and relaxation in the body and mind as well as a growing sense of wellbeing.  It is my belief that this sense is the key to healing, and symptoms will lessen and disappear as treatment progresses.

To simply maintain good health, you may come in for a “tune-up” when the seasons change or monthly if you have a tendency towards health problems or need to rejuvenate and revitalize your mind, body, and soul.