New Patient Resources

How to dress: Most patients can dress in their usual clothing for treatments. If the patient’s clothing is too tight and/or inflexible, it may be necessary to change into a gown.

Time to arrive: It is suggested that patients arrive ten to fifteen minutes prior to their scheduled appointment time to fill out preliminary paperwork.

Preliminary Paperwork: Patients are required to fill out three forms before their acupuncture session can begin. The forms consist of information such as: the patient’s full name, contact info, insurance info, and medical history. There is also a form to sign regarding informed consent and other policies. Please bring your insurance card to the first treatment so that the front desk manager can obtain a copy for our records.

Treatment time: New patient appointments last approximately one hour and follow-up treatments last about 45 minutes to an hour.

Receiving the acupuncture treatment: A number of needles will be inserted into the body, depending on the patient’s condition and constitution. The needles used are very thin and a guide tube is used for insertion so that there is no pain. They are always individually packaged and disposed of after use, so that   they are NEVER reused. Depending on the patient’s condition, the acupuncture needles are left in the body for about 20-40 minutes.

Sensations felt during the acupuncture treatment: It is very rare for pain to occur from an acupuncture needle. In efforts to eliminate any discomfort that may be felt during acupuncture, our clinic uses very thin and high quality needles that are inserted swiftly and skillfully with a guide tube. If pain is felt, inform your acupuncturist and the needle can be removed. The acupuncture needles may induce various sensations such as tingling, warmth, heaviness, pressure, or soreness. All of these sensations are considered beneficial and to communicate that the body is responding well to the acupuncture treatment.

Electrical stimulation: Electrical stimulation involves a small battery-operated machine that is hooked to several acupuncture needles to create a slight movement or stimulation of the needles during the treatment. This constant stimulation of the acupuncture needle helps significantly with pain relief.

Herbal supplements: During a patient’s first or second acupuncture treatment, herbal supplements may be recommended to assist in treating the disease. Some disorders do not require herbal supplements and can be treated with acupuncture alone.

If you have a severe bleeding disorder, have a pacemaker, or you are pregnant, please let your provider know prior to treatment.