How often do I need treatment?

The frequency of needed treatment depends on your state of health when you walk in, the duration of symptoms that you may have and how you wish to use acupuncture for your health. Generally, it is suggested that you come in weekly for the first few weeks and then as you feel better, move out to every other week, then monthly. Long standing clients who use acupuncture as a piece to their wellness receive treatment on a regular basis decided by them.

What are some other benefits of receiving acupuncture?

Most clients notice a change in their overall ability to deal with the stresses of day to day life. People also report having more energy, being more optimistic, feeling more personal joy, and getting sick less often.

How can I get acupuncture if I don’t like needles?

Most people are familiar with hypodermic syringe type needles and not acupuncture needles, which are much thinner. While hypodermic needles are used to draw blood acupuncture needed are used to move your energy not draw your blood. Acupuncture needles are hair thin and flexible. Clients who were once reluctant to try acupuncture because of the needles report that the needles are of little concern and that the benefits they receive outweigh this small concern.

Will it hurt?

Mostly no. Some people say they feel a pinch at first then nothing after. While the needles are in, many people do report feeling relaxing waves of movement through their bodies.

Are there negative side effects?

Bruising is a small possibility and resolves in a few days. Application of arnica helps immensely. The positive side effects outweigh possible bruising. So many people report feeling relaxed, calm and more even after treatment. People come in for one health concern and begin to see positive shifts in other aspects of their life.

What should I expect from an acupuncture session?

The first session can last anywhere from 90 to 120 minutes. This first session gives you the opportunity to tell me what is going on with you. My job is to listen and ask more in depth questions. I want to know about your general health history, how you sleep, what you crave, how are/were your menses (if you are a woman of course), your social life and history, how you respond to cold, heat, the different seasons, what you love about your life, what you don’t like so much, etc. After we talk, I do a Chinese medical physical where I look at your tongue, take your pulses, palpate certain areas along the truck of the body, look at any particular area that is bothering you and then give you a treatment. The other sessions are an hour long. We generally talk for 15 minutes about how things are shifting and you receive a treatment. Then you lie on the massage table, I take your pulses, maybe look at your tongue and then give you a treatment.

How do you know where to put the needles and how deep do they go?

After taking your pulses, listening to your health concerns, looking at your tongue and being in your presence, I use this collected information to guide me to which meridian or meridians need to be touched. Along each meridian are acupuncture points that lie between your muscles and bones. I choose certain points based on what is needed for you. The needles go in about ¼ inch to 3 inches depending on where the pin is placed. A needle in your hip is able to go in deep while a needle on your hand can only go in so deep.

What are meridians and acupuncture points?

Meridians can be viewed as rivers of energy flowing to and from your organs. They run from the top of your head down to your pinky toe. There are 12 main meridians that correspond to 12 main organ systems. They are the Large Intestine, Lung, Spleen, Stomach, Heart, Small Intestine, Bladder, Kidney, Pericardium, Triple Heater, Liver, and Gall Bladder. There are also deeper channels that connect these 12 main meridians.

Along the meridians are designated points, or acupuncture points, that are used to regulate and access the qi of the meridian. Each meridian has, for example, a Xi Cleft Point, which is a point along the meridian where accumulation tends to happen. Xi Cleft points are used to release stagnation and accumulation causing emotional or physical pain.

How quick will I see results?

This depends on how long you have had your health issue, how strong you are to help overcome it, your health, and your lifestyle. Often acute situations can be relieved faster than chronic or very old health issues. Some people have good results after the first treatment, or after five, or ten. Most people start feeling better after a few sessions. Ongoing treatment yield better and long lasting results. It is important to mention that you play a role in your improvement. If you make positive lifestyle changes you will also see better results.

What forms of payment do you accept?

Cash and credit cards (including flex spending accounts) are accepted for payment. Insurance plans are also accepted. Each plan is different and will need my pre-approval.