+ New Patient Forms

Before you come in for your first treatment, you'll need to fill out personal information on our Online Booking System linked at the "Book Now" button on the bottom of this page. Please fill out all information completely otherwise we will need to go over this on your first visit. The forms are used for me to learn about you and why you're coming in for treatment. The forms also include insurance information so that we can verify your insurance before you come in for treatment.

+ Consultation

For new patients, the consultation is a 30-45 minute time period where we talk about your chief complaint, or reason for coming in to receive treatment. We go over your complete history, both family and personal medical history. During this time, we'll both get a feel for whether or not we would be a good fit working together.

+ Treatment

For new patients, the initial intake will include taking vitals such as height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, etc. Then we will go through the TCM Diagnosis process which will include asking more in depth questions about your condition(s), looking at the tongue and feeling the pulse. Then we will use TCM modalities such as acupuncture, herbs, cupping, etc. to address your condition. Treatment with needles for first time patients is usually around 30-45 minutes where as cupping is around 20 minutes.

+ Treatment Plan and Personalized Homework

Unique to modern medicine, we will often prescribe personalized homework for our patients. For instance, we would recommend or give medical advice that includes dietary changes or therapeutic exercises to help in addressing your condition. During this time we will also go over the treatment plan and make future appointments when necessary.

+ Does Acupuncture Work?

There is a lot of research that shows that acupuncture is particularly effective for musculoskeletal conditions for acute and chronic pain, headaches and migraines, insomnia, digestive disorders as well as symptoms associated with post-operative and post-chemo radiation like nausea and loss of appetite.

Ultimately the effectiveness of any treatment relies on the compliance of the patient. Without the compliance of the patient, any treatment may fail but the symptoms of the chief complaint may be reduced.

It should also be noted that the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment in particular is compounding. Meaning that the closer you receive your treatments together, the more effective the results will be and the more likely your condition will subside or fade away. In China, for acute conditions acupuncture treatments are spaced out almost every day or every other day for until the patient sees improvement. For chronic conditions, patients usually are seen at least 2-3 times a week for 4-5 weeks.

Even after the chief complaint dissipates many patients will receive acupuncture on a preventive basis to ensure that their symptoms don't come back and that the root of the problem is ultimately addressed.

+ Does Acupuncture Hurt?

The truth is... it can. Any needle insertion into the body may cause slight discomfort especially if the patient is feeling anxious or is particularly hypersensitive to pain. However, different areas of the body are less reactive than others and some are generally more reactive. For instance, areas on the trunk, back, outer thigh upper arms and lower legs are generally the least reactive to pain. Areas on the hand, feet, and face can be more reactive.

That being said, the needles that we use are so thin that the likelihood for them hurting are minimal. Many patients are surprised at how little these needles are and are even more surprised when the insertion of the needle is painless.

After the needle is insert, your acupuncturist may manipulate the needle to elicit a response from your body and/or the local area. Some sensations we are looking for are feelings of warmth, numbing sensation, or even a slight twitch especially if our aim is to release a tight muscle. You should never feel a sharp sensation lasting more than a few seconds. If so, please let your acupuncturist know.

+ Are your treatments safe?

All of the needles that are used in our clinic are disposable, sterile, filiform metal needles that disposed of after use into a sharps container. Acupuncture is a very safe treatment modality especially when done by a licensed acupuncturist. However, some side effects of acupuncture may include fainting, bruising in the affected area, a sensation of heaviness after the treatment in the local area that may last up to a few hours, or even general soreness of the affected area. Fainting is usually caused by anxiety about being needled or not eating/drinking before your treatment.

+ What is Qi?

In the Traditional Chinese Medicine Sense, "Qi" is translated as energy. It, like any other system in Western Medicine has a form and function and travels throughout the body in distinct pathways called meridians. The points on the meridians are the same Acupuncture Points that we study and use throughout treatment. By affecting Qi with needles, medical qigong, cupping, and herbal therapy, we can ensure that our patient's qi flows normally.

In modern terms, "Qi" is likened to the nervous system. There is no doubt that some of the major points that we use in TCM hover over major nerves. Stimulation of these nerves has profound effects on the body from reliving digestive distress, chronic pain, depression, and even anxiety or heart palpitations. However, there are many more points that are effective that are not even remotely near a major nerve.

+ How many treatments will I need?

This depends on your condition. For acute cases, we recommend that patients come in as many times in a week that they are able to do so in order to prevent the body from forming a lasting adaptation to the condition. If you think about it this way, if you stub your right toe on your bed post, you will more than likely limp for the next week or so. While you're limping, the muscles on the left side of your body are becoming tight and forming a pattern to help cope with the pain in your right toe. If this goes on for 2-3 weeks, your posture may be compromised and we will need to address not only the pain in your right toe, but also the tightness of the muscles on the left side of your body.

On the flip side, if you've had a chronic condition for more than 3 months and haven't addressed it before coming to our clinic, your body has already created a pattern of avoidance to cope with your pain or condition. It will often take just as long to move your body out of this pattern and bring it back to your normal function.

In general, for acute conditions, we suggest at least 3-5 treatments closer together, meaning every other day if possible.

For chronic conditions at least once a week for about 7-10 treatments may be necessary to see an improvement in your condition.