Acupuncture works by improving the body’s function and balance by promoting natural self-healing processes.  During a Private Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment one can expect a combination of TCM modalities chosen specifically to treat each unique individual and their particular ailments. Treatment plans often include a combination of traditional needling prescriptions, Tuina/Acupressure Massage, Cupping Therapy, Moxibustion/Heat Therapy, Gua sha/Scraping, and/or Laser Acupuncture.  Each of these modalities is explained in greater detail below.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING TREATMENT: 

Prior to your initial visit, your Acupuncturist will require you to fill out an in depth online health history form.  With this information she can begin developing a thorough understanding of the way in which your body and mind function, as well as the unique tendencies and ailments that it may have developed along the way.  During your initial consultation, your Acupuncturist will review some of these facts with you and most often dive a little deeper with additional specific questions regarding your main complaint(s).  Together you will discuss and develop a treatment plan that will best suit your recovery and be tailored to your lifestyle and unique goals. During your initial visit you will receive your first Acupuncture/TCM treatment and be asked to monitor your body’s response and progress in the days following.  For this first appointment and all follow-up care appointments you can expect to be in the clinic for approximately 75 minutes.  This time frame ensures that each patient always has access to optimal needle retention times as well as all TCM manual treatment therapies indicated for their condition (ie. cupping, moxibustion, tuina massage, acupressure, guasha scraping etc).  This is designed to strive for the best possible outcomes, treatment efficacy and longest lasting results with each visit.   

Treatments are carried out in a private treatment room with a relaxing atmosphere.  Treatments require disrobing to your comfort level and being under the sheets in a combination of prone (face-down) and supine (face-up) laying positions for the insertion of needles and administration of other manual treatment modalities.  Not dissimilar from a massage treatment, your practitioner will leave you the space and time required to undress, provide guidance about your required starting posture, and will use professional draping techniques to uncover areas of treatment importance throughout the session.  Acupuncture needles require time to sit in place to be optimally effective, and during these intervals your practitioner will leave the room in order to facilitate deep relaxation and healing focus.  

Most people feel no or very minimal discomfort with the insertion of needles, often accompanied by the arrival of “Qi” or energy which can look different for each individual and often varies depending on the area of the body, underlying conditions, longevity of injuries/illness, hormonal fluctuations etc.  Words often used to describe this sensation include tingling, deep ache, pressure, connection, movement, flow, spark, an intensity that then resolves or an activated feeling.  Often  patients report feeling an accuracy of intent which feels like “getting right to the point” of what is bothersome. Your Acupuncturist will maintain open communication with you throughout the treatment, checking in often with you to ensure your comfort.  Generally speaking, needles remain in place for about 20 minutes to be optimally effective.  During and after treatment most people report achieving an incredible sense of deep relaxation, calm and tranquility.  Common side effects following treatment include this “zen” mindset as well as a few nights of really deep quality sleep.   

The frequency and number of treatments recommended differs from person to person, and on the severity and duration with which they have been suffering from this particular concern.  Many patients often experience dramatic relief in the first treatment.  Acupuncture as a medicine is very “cumulative” in its effects which means that with each treatment relief/results tend to last longer and longer as the body moves toward creating permanent change.  Generally speaking acute problems often require only a few treatments before resolving and settling down in their intensity, and these are often best provided in a narrower time frame.  In contrast, chronic conditions often require a longer term of spread out treatments that gradually become less frequent as symptoms or pain are alleviated for longer intervals.  Observing patterns in your own body is often the best indicator and predictor for what your treatment plan requires.  Your Acupuncturist will help you to analyze these results and make a treatment plan that reflects your unique needs.