ACUPUNCTURE, HERBAL MEDICINE, BODY THERAPY, NUTRITION & LIFESTYLE CONSULTATION
WHAT PATIENTS CAN EXPECT
IN THE ACUPUNCTURE CLINIC
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE
FIRST VISITS are divided into two distinct parts:
-
PART 1 of your First Visit is either a virtual (video-chat) or telephone appointment and ranges between 30 - 45 minutes.
You will prepare for Part 1 of your First Visit by completing an in-depth Health History Form, so your Practitioner may review your health history before your scheduled virtual or phone appointment.
-
PART 2 of your First Visit is your in-person appointment within our clinic, and ranges between 55-75 minutes.
FOLLOW-UP VISITS are in-person clinical appointments, and range between 50-60 minutes. These visits are for established patients.
INTAKE PROCESS
PART 1 of your First Visit appointment will be conducted from the comfort of your home. During this time, you and your Practitioner will review the key points of your Health History form - discussing your primary health concerns, any preexisting conditions and your goals for treatment.
This conversation is key to the diagnostic process. It gives us a chance to thoroughly review your past Health History, to help us understand more about your current condition.
We will then review any other health or fitness goals you may have, and which might be important to your treatment plan.
Finally, we take a moment to ask if you have any questions. We want to ensure that you are completely comfortable heading into your treatment.
For PART 2 of your First Visit, we meet you in-person at our clinical location. Once you're in the treatment room, and changed into a patient gown - we begin with a physical exam as part of the diagnostic process.
As part of this process, we might utilize any number of hands-on assessments and ask additional Health History questions. This time is key to learning more about your primary health concern, and to building a foundation for successful treatment.
TREATMENT PLAN
Based on these assessments, your Health History review and our diagnosis - we will design a "treatment plan" tailored uniquely to you.
This may include a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, therapeutic bodywork or life-style and nutritional recommendations over one or more office visits.
Treatments can vary greatly, depending on your individual needs and your specific health considerations.
WHAT TO WEAR
It's best to wear clothing and shoes that are easy to remove - as you will change into a patient gown for your treatment session. You will most often remain fully covered in the patient gown during treatment.
In cases where partial disrobing is more appropriate for your treatment, or if you would prefer to partially disrobe, we use gown draping to cover sensitive areas and and mylar blankets to keep you warm.
Your comfort is our priority, and we encourage you to let us know what you need at any point.
HOW DOES IT FEEL
Once Acupuncture, or other Chinese Medicine therapies, have been applied to your body, we generally leave you to rest in the quiet of the treatment room. You may observe a "movement of energy" during this time. You may feel sleepy, or actually fall asleep on the table.
Most people look forward to this time to simply relax during an otherwise hectic day, and generally feel refreshed afterward.
EAT BEFORE TREATMENT - Not Full, Not Empty
It is best to be neither hungry nor extremely full during your treatment.
Please be sure to eat 1-2 hours before your appointment. It is also best to avoid extreme sweets, caffeine and alcohol in this same time frame.
HOW OFTEN WILL I NEED TREATMENT
& FOR HOW LONG
Your individual needs and recovery rate determine how often and for how long you will need to receive treatment.
Each person is different - acute conditions tend to resolve more quickly; and chronic, long-standing conditions tend to take more time.
We generally start New Patients with sessions up to twice weekly, and as the condition or injury stabilizes, begin to space out treatment accordingly.
As your condition improves, the frequency of your treatments will be slowly reduced to every other week, monthly or even seasonally, always moving towards a lifestyle of self-care.
WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE &
TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE
WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture is a primary treatment modality within the scope of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It involves the skilled insertion of extremely thin, solid needles into certain points on the body, with the intention of stimulating blood circulation and immune response. This has the effect of restoring function to the body’s organs and muscles, reducing inflammation and re-establishing homeostasis and balance to the body.
Clinical trials have demonstrated acupuncture’s ability to decrease pain with its analgesic effects, balance the nervous system and clear areas in the body where energy feels blocked, deficient or dysfunctional.
WHAT IS A TYPICAL ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT
Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners will begin with a full Health History review, an intake regarding your primary concerns, and include a physical exam with a tongue and pulse assessment. As part of the Health Assessment, the Practitioner will also examine your daily routines, offering recommendations on simple lifestyle and exercise adjustments - which can go a long way towards resolving a nagging injury or illness, sleep issues or reducing ongoing stress-related conditions.
WHAT IS TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a comprehensive system of healthcare which incorporates Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Nutrition, Lifestyle consultation (i.e. sleep, exercise, stress management, etc.) and various forms of hands-on Therapeutic Bodywork. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have been practiced throughout China, Japan and Korea for thousands of years, and are now prevalent throughout communities, clinics and hospitals world-wide.
WHAT ARE ACUPUNCTURE NEEDLES MADE OF
Acupuncture needles are made of high quality, medical grade surgical stainless-steel.
If you can visualize the thickness of a single cat's hair, it will give you a good idea of an average acupuncture needles' thickness and length. Needle sizes vary in gauge (thickness) and have lengths from a 1/2 inch to 2.5 inches. The TCM Practitioner decides where to place the Acupuncture needles in the body based on the nature of the injury, health condition and / or treatment goal.
Acupuncture needles are solid, they do not inject anything into the body, nor withdraw anything from the body. All needles are used only one-time during treatment, after which they are removed from the body and placed into medical Sharps containers for proper disposal.
HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE FEEL - DOES IT HURT
In general, most people find that Acupuncture is a very relaxing experience once the needles have been placed in the body. Acupuncture is most often painless, although there is frequently some mild sensation at the site of insertion (i.e. pinching, tingling, muscle sensation, warmth, etc.).
Once the needles are placed in the body, we ensure the patient is warm (i.e. light-weight covers, heat or infrared therapy), we lower the lights in the treatment room, and the patient is left to rest comfortably during their session.
Most people look forward to this time to simply relax and
restore during an otherwise hectic day and generally
feel refreshed afterward.
WHAT CAN ACUPUNCTURE TREAT
Acupuncture stimulates and guides the body’s innate healing response, so it can be used for just about anything the body is challenged with.
The efficacy of acupuncture treatment to enhance immunity, regulate internal systems (i.e. blood pressure, heart rate, hormone balance, pain relief, etc.), relieve pain and treat common health conditions has been researched extensively.
ACUPUNCTURE & TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE
COMMONLY TREAT:
-
Preventative Care – Immune System Support, Injury Prevention
-
Emotional Health & Wellness – Anxiety & Stress related conditions, Depression, Insomnia
-
Respiratory Conditions – i.e. Cold & Flu symptoms, Sinus Issues, Bronchitis
-
Digestive Conditions – Constipation, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Acid Reflux, Hemorrhoids
-
Women’s & Men's Health issues – Fertility, Menstrual & Prostate issues, PMS,
-
Pregnancy Support – Labor & Delivery Support, Nausea and vomiting
-
Orthopedic Conditions – Knee pain, Low back Pain, Sciatica, Frozen Shoulder
-
Sports Injuries – Sprained Ankle, Rotator Cuff or Meniscus tears, Turf Toe, Tennis / Golf Elbow, Trigger Finger
-
Neurological Conditions - Bell’s palsy, Vertigo, Carpal Tunnel, Morton’s Neuroma, Neuralgia
-
Headaches – Tension Headaches, Migraines, Dizziness, TMJ Headaches
Institutions such as the National Health Institute (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Harvard Medical Center and Stanford University have all lauded its impact both for both palliative and preventative care.