During the initial exam a full health history is taken. Questions are asked regarding health, symptoms and lifestyle. An appropriate physical exam is conducted, including pulse and tongue diagnosis.
Gathering this information enables me to effectively diagnose and detect any specific imbalances of Qi that may have contributed to your issues.
For best treatment results:
Caffeine: try not to drink caffeine before your first visit. It stays in your system and alters your pulse. Pulse diagnosis is an integral aspect of Asian Medicine.
Tongue: Please do not brush or scrape your tongue before your appointment. The coating provides important diagnostic information. Also, please avoid anything that may stain your tongue prior to your visit.
Eat: Acupuncture treatments are calming to the nervous system and lowers your blood pressure so you may feel light headed afterwards. IF you eat alight meal or snack prior to treatment, your blood sugar stays level and you are less prone to this. If you do feel light headed, drinking some water usually alleviates it.
Other ways to enhance your treatment:
- Drink plenty of water before and after
- Avoid strenuous activities before and after
- No hot baths of hot tubs for 24 hours after
- Avoid heavy meals and spicy foods within 24 hours
- Eat nourishing organic food and schedule the rest of your day to be as serene as possible.
Safety Notes:
- All needles are sterile and safely disposed after their one and only use.
- Glass cups are sterilized between treatments
- Occasionally you may get a small bruise after an acupuncture needle is removed. This is not cause for concern. It will go away in a few days.
During an acupuncture treatment very fine sterile needles are inserted at specific acupoints along meridian pathways. This safe and painless insertion of the needles can unblock the obstruction and balance Qi where it has become unbalanced. Once this is done, Qi can freely circulate throughout the body, providing adequate nourishment to cells, organs, glands, tissues and muscles. This can eliminate pain and restore balance and harmony, as well as the body’s ability to heal itself—ultimately leading to optimal health and well-being.
If you have any questions before or after treatment, please feel free to ask. If you feel discomfort – physically, emotionally, or in any other way, please know I will adjust the treatment to your needs.
