First Acupuncture Visit - What to expect?
health history
When you first arrive, you will fill out paperwork describing what health concerns you would like to address. You then have a brief consultation with the acupuncturist.
treatment
After your consultation, your acupuncturist will take you into the treatment room where you get comfortable in a reclining chair or on a massage table. You then take off your socks and shoes and roll up your pant legs to just below your knees. Your acupuncturist will spend 5-10 minutes inserting needles into acupuncture points on your arms and legs. Now just relax.
Patients retain their needles for 50 minutes.
Post treatment
After the needles are removed, you are free to move around and leave the treatment room. Your acupuncturist will then discuss their treatment plan for you and you can schedule your next appointment.
Expectations and acupuncture frequency
In most cases, it takes more than one acupuncture treatment to resolve a complaint. Frequent treatments over a short period of time will resolve an issue more quickly than treatments spaced out over a long period of time.
Common questions
Do the needles hurt? You may feel the needle being inserted, but it is typically nothing more than a pinch. If there's something that's keeping you from being able to relax, just let the practitioner know. Needles can always be re-inserted, or just taken out for the remainder of the treatment.
How many treatments will I need? The number of treatments varies with each individual. It is determined by how severe the compliant is, how long it has been a problem, and how you respond to acupuncture. You will have a much better idea of the needed commitment by the end of your first session.
Treatment tips
Wear comfortable clothes that are easy to roll to knees/elbows.
Don't arrive really hungry. It's best to have something in your stomach.
Go to the restroom beforehand.