Your First Visit
Please plan about an hour for your first visit. Because we make our diagnosis based on a holistic paradigm it is important for us to gather as much information as we can about your medical history. Even details that seem unrelated to the condition that you are seeking treatment for could provide important clues for an accurate diagnosis.
A brief western physical assessment may follow your medical history interview. Finally, your tongue and pulses will be examined . This will provide information about the status of your organ systems. Once we reach a clear diagnosis based on the physical examinations and your medical history interview, you will be given an acupuncture treatment.
Acupuncture needles are considerably thinner than the injection needles that you may be more familiar with. In fact, several acupuncture needles can fit into the barrel of an injection needle. There may be a moment of slight discomfort as the needles are inserted, but the sensation is minimal and brief. Like many patients, you may feel extremely relaxed after the needles are placed, and may even fall asleep.
Generally, we will let you relax and let the needles do their work for about 20-30 minutes. After they are removed you may be given further treatment, such as cupping, or massage depending upon your condition.
