Your First Visit
What To Expect
Congratulations on choosing Chinese medicine for your healthcare goals! You’ve made and excellent decision to take charge of your health and wellness.
When you come in you will be evaluated by your practitioner to determine the best course of action for your unique health goals. We want you to be aware that your treatment is customized to you and there are several approaches we are likely to take.
Read more about about our treatment options below.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbal medicine consists of custom, tea blends made from time-tested ingredients in pharmaceutical-grade, convenient powdered form which is easily consumed on the go, 2-3 times per day. Chinese herbal medicine is the heart of Chinese medicine and many of the plant and mineral-based formulas we use have been in use for centuries. If you are coming to our clinic for any type of health challenge with symptoms like digestive disorders, insomnia, anxiety, depression or other “internal medicine” conditions, Chinese herbal medicine will be at the heart of your treatment plan. Studying Chinese herbal medicine requires years to complete and our herb suppliers go through rigorous Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and are tested for purity and proper identification per FDA standards. Chinese herbal medicine is extremely safe and effective when used under the direction of a licensed professional. Your practitioner will discuss dietary restrictions you may have as well as any medication you are taking prior to providing your herbal formula. It is amazing how powerful Chinese herbs can be at helping you reach your health goals.
Acupuncture
Perhaps the best known treatment in Chinese medicine, acupuncture is used for a wide variety of health challenges and is one of the most studied medical treatments in the world. If you are coming for some type of painful condition, especially muscle or joint pain, acupuncture will very likely be part of your treatment plan, in addition to herbal medicine. If you are coming for a condition which is deemed to be primarily internal medicine, then herbal medicine may be all you need and acupuncture may not be part of your plan.
Your practitioner will make a determination for which of these treatments are best for you and in what order. We look forward to seeing you at your appointment!
Important info before arriving to your first acupuncture appointment
Your first acupuncture appointment will last 60-90 minutes. Follow up appointments should take about 45-60 minutes.
Space is limited in our treatment rooms. Guests or helpers may be required to wait in the waiting room.
Be sure to eat a light meal or snack 1-2 hours before your acupuncture treatment. It's important that you feel neither hungry nor "stuffed" at your treatment.
Wear loose and comfortable clothing. If wearing pants or long sleeves, be sure that they can be rolled to the knee or elbow. Gowns are available if needed.
Take your medications at your regularly designated time as prescribed by your doctor. Never stop or change your medications without first discussing with your doctor.
Acupuncture needles are very thin and flexible like that of a cat whisker. Many people do not feel them at all, while some feel a sensation similar to that of a mosquito bite followed by a tingling, electrical, or aching sensation.
You may have a "spacey" sense, feel energized or rested, or even nothing at all after your treatment. All of these effects are normal and can vary person to person or even treatment to treatment.
You may return to work or other responsibilities after your treatment, but you should refrain from any heavy physical exertion for 12-18 hours.
Acupuncture is considered a therapy and works best when done regularly. You may notice some relief of your symptoms within hours to days after your treatment. Often, it can take 3-4 treatments to start seeing the effect. For chronic conditions, more treatments will be necessary to resolve the problem.
In less than 5% of patients, a temporary exaggeration of the condition may present itself 12-24 hours post treatment. This is also normal and can be a good sign that the treatment is working. Usually, this occurs in more sensitive individuals, those that are more "highly strung," or for those that are accustomed to suppressing negative emotions.
