First, you will meet privately with the acupuncturist for a brief consultation (about 5-10 minutes). Next, you will go into our community room, sit in a recliner, and the acupuncturist will insert needles in specific points depending on what you are coming in for. You are then free to relax and take a nap for as long as you like, usually about 45-60 minutes. The acupuncturist will check on the community room every 5-10 minutes and will remove your needles when your treatment is over.
The community room is an open space, so here are a few suggestions for keeping it a comfortable space for everyone:
- Please turn off your cell phone
- Please leave your shoes and coat in the waiting area
- Please whisper while in the community room
- Feel free to bring in your own soft music or earplugs
- When you enter the community room, go ahead and grab things you know will make you more comfortable such as a blanket or a pillow. Feel free to bring in your own. Then make yourself comfortable in one of our relaxing chairs.
For your first community acupuncture visit, please come 10-15 minutes early to fill out the appropriate forms. You can also print, fill out the packet, and bring it into your appointment.
Download the New Patient Intake Packet.
What should I wear?
For your appointment, make sure to wear loose comfortable clothing. It is best if we can access your knees, feet, elbows and hands easily.
How often should I come for acupuncture?
The frequency with which one gets acupuncture depends on a person’s individual health concern and progress. However, acupuncture tends to have an accumulative effect, and it is helpful to get regular treatments often especially at the onset of a health concern. The following table may help you understand the length of treatment recommended for your individual concern:
Being TreatedFor: | Example ofConditions | Treatmentfrequency | For how long: |
Very Severe Discomfort | Acute back sprain,Daily migraines | Daily until change incondition | For severaldays |
SeriousDiscomfort | Sprained ankle, acutedigestive distress | Every other day untilchange in condition | A week or two |
ModerateDiscomfort | Knee pain whilerunning, poor sleep | Twice weekly untilchange in condition | Over severalweeks |
Working on aHealth milestone | Trying to get pregnantovercoming allergies | Twice weekly untilchange in condition | Over severalweeks |
Ongoing EpisodicCondition | Occasional insomniaPMS | Weekly + as-neededfor acute pain | Over a fewmonths |
Support forchronic issues | Stress, work-relatedIssues, chronic illness | Weekly | Ongoing/as needed |
General health | Life! | Weekly or bimonthly | Ongoing/ as needed |