Frequently Asked Questions
What will happen during my first visit?
Your initial visit will be in two parts. The first is a virtual visit, where we go over your health history form. I’ll ask you about your health goals, current and past symptoms, stress levels, nutrition and lifestyle. This will take 30-45 minutes and can be scheduled through the Booksy online scheduler “Initial Visit Part 1”.
The second half of your initial visit is in-person. At the clinic, I will check your pulses, look at your tongue and may conduct a physical exam especially if there is pain. You will then receive acupuncture and rest for 25 minutes. In total this will take 55 minutes and can be scheduled through the Booksy online scheduler as “Initial Visit Part 2”.
These two visit together will help me to form a Chinese medicine diagnosis for your areas of imbalance and will determine the number and frequency of visits that I think are required to meet your treatment goals along with practitioner and modality referrals, a supplement list, Chinese herbal formulations, and traditional Chinese nutritional theory and lifestyle practices to address your areas of imbalance.
How can I prepare for my acupuncture treatment?
Please come to all acupuncture appointments haven eaten beforehand. We can’t move energy if you lack energy. If you schedule acupuncture before a major meal, before lunch for example, a small snack before your treatment is ideal. Don’t worry about dressing differently for your appointment. You will always have a table sheet to cover you should you need to remove clothing to access acupuncture points or areas of pain. It is best not to schedule strenuous exercise directly after your appointment until you know how your body will respond. The relaxation effect of acupuncture can be felt by most clients can last for a couple hours.
Do the acupuncture needles hurt?
The sensation caused by acupuncture varies. Some people feel a little pinch, zing or dull ache as the needles are placed, but most people feel no pain at all. The needles are tiny, just a little larger than a cat’s whisker or a human hair. I have various sizes of acupuncture needles- some I use on infants and nervous adults alike. My standard needle is a very thin and highly polished, so it is extremely comfortable. The benefits of acupuncture will outweigh any pain you may feel from the needles.
How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments will vary from person to person. Some people experience immediate relief; others may take months to achieve results. Chronic conditions usually take longer to resolve than acute ones. Plan on a minimum of a month or 4 treatments to see significant changes.
Treatment frequency depends on a variety of factors: your constitution (weakness and strength), the severity and duration of the problem and the quality and quantity of your Qi as well as your health goals and personal timeline. I may suggest one or two treatments per week, monthly visits for health maintenance or seasonal “tune ups.” For more detail see the chart below.
2 visits per week; Acute injuries, acute emotional distress, labor and delivery preparation, smoking cessation, fertility support prior to IVF or IUI, etc.
1 visit per week; Chronic conditions, fertility support, menstrual irregularities, seasonal allergies, immunity support, the first trimester and the last month of pregnancy, etc. Moving from acute treatment to support for long standing chronic conditions.
2 visits per month; Moving from treatment goals to health maintenance
1 visit per month; Check-in balance treatments for health maintenance
Do I have to “believe” in acupuncture for it to work?
Acupuncture is not a faith-based practice. It has been proven an effected treatment in blinded placebo-controlled studies. Based on clinical research, The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture as an effective treatment for over two hundred disorders. In fact, animal acupuncture has been repeatedly proven effective and you could argue that “belief” isn’t possible in that population.
Do you accept insurance?
I do accept and bill your insurance company directly for your acupuncture. To see if you have coverage for acupuncture please contact me so that I can verify your benefits.
Is acupuncture safe?
Yes! I use pre-packaged, single-use sterilized needles that are carefully discarded after each treatment. I am specially trained in clean needle technique and clinical asepsis. In addition, please see the extra precautions I am taking for covid safety.
Do you offer free phone consultations?
Yes, please contact me to schedule a free 15-minute call with any questions you may have.