Be Prepared
Before we get started, just a few words about what you should do when coming to our clinic. Dress in comfortable clothes, loose fitting pants or sweatpants that allow easy access to your lower extremities. If you are coming in for low back pain we will need to access your lower back and hips (running shorts are great for this). Sports bras for women are unnecessary (and even get in the way if we need to access your back). You should make sure you have something to eat within a few hours of coming to the clinic. Treatments can leave some people feeling a bit drained immediately afterwards and if you come on an empty stomach, this can be exacerbated. As much as possible, avoid caffeine and smoking within a few hours of your treatment.
Step One
Once you schedule your initial consultation, you will receive an email confirming your appointment. There will be a link to complete your health history forms or you can come in a few minutes early to complete them in the office.
During your consultation, we will go over your intake forms together and ask additional questions for clarification as necessary to get a full picture of not only your chief complaint but also any underlying problems that may be affecting you and contributing to your health concern.
We allow enough time during your initial visit to get a treatment if you decide to move forward.
Lay Back and Relax
Once you are checked in for your treatment you will go back to the treatment room where you will lay back on a treatment table. Needles will be inserted in specific acupuncture points. We typically only use four needles for each treatment since our diagnostic procedures enable us to hone in on areas that will provide the greatest relief. We also use points that perform several functions each and work synergistically.
Clips will then be hooked up to the needles and a very low level of micro-current will be added to the treatment. Some will feel no stimulation from this and at most, you should feel a slight buzzing or tingling sensation. More is not better in this case and even if you feel no stimulation, the current is still entering your body.
That’s it! You rest for 20 minutes and then we get you on your way. Subsequent visits only take about 20 minutes.
Boy Do I Feel Mellow
After treatment patients report a variety of feelings ranging from relaxed to feeling "lighter" and sometimes a bit fuzzy. Try to relax as much as possible for the rest of the day and drink plenty of water. Pay attention to how you feel the rest of the day and the following day especially. Pay attention not only to your chief complaint but how you feel overall. This will give us important clues as to how the treatment is progressing and when to make adjustments.