For your first visit:

• Please complete your pre-appointment paperwork before your visit. Include a complete list of all prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, herbs, supplements, and vitamins you currently take, as well as any relevant laboratory results and your primary care physician’s contact information, if available.

• Please disclose any pre-existing health conditions so your practitioner can provide the safest and most appropriate care for your individual needs.

• Please do not brush or scrape your tongue before treatment, as examining the tongue is an important diagnostic tool used to assess your overall health.

• Most acupuncture needles are placed on the forearms, lower legs, and abdomen. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing that can be easily rolled above the elbows and knees. If you are receiving treatment for your back, hips, thighs, or abdomen, choose clothing—such as a T-shirt, sweatpants, or shorts—that allows easy access to the affected area.

• Please eat a light meal or snack before your appointment—or make sure you have eaten recently—to help prevent a hypoglycemic event caused by low blood sugar.

Your first visit will last approximately 90 minutes. During this appointment, we will review any documents you provide, assess your overall health, develop a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your needs, and provide your initial acupuncture treatment.

Because our approach is holistic, we will also ask about your emotional well-being, diet, digestion, and sleep patterns, as these factors can significantly influence your physical health. The information gathered during this visit will help us better understand your overall condition and identify patterns of imbalance that may be contributing to your symptoms.

Your comfort is important to us. Before beginning treatment, we will explain each procedure and ensure that you feel relaxed and at ease. Soothing music and simple breathing techniques may be used to help reduce anxiety, and we will make sure that all inserted needles feel comfortable. The needles are typically retained for 20–45 minutes, and many patients become so relaxed that they fall asleep during treatment.

Depending on your individual treatment plan, your visit may also include cupping, gua sha, moxibustion, electrical stimulation, and/or tui na.

Treatment results vary from person to person depending on the nature and severity of each condition. Many patients experience immediate relief that may last anywhere from several hours to several days. The benefits of acupuncture are often cumulative, with each treatment building upon the progress achieved during previous visits. To enhance your results and support your long-term health, we may also recommend Chinese herbal medicine, dietary adjustments, or lifestyle changes tailored to your individual needs.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine often require time and a series of treatments to support the body’s healing process. The number of treatments needed varies depending on your overall health, the nature and severity of your condition, and how long it has been present.

Although lasting improvement may take several treatments, many patients report feeling better and more relaxed after their first visit. Mild or recent conditions may begin to show meaningful, lasting improvement within four to six treatments, while more severe or long-standing conditions may require 10 or more treatments.

Because the effects of acupuncture are cumulative, each treatment builds upon the progress of the previous one. To achieve the best results, two or more treatments per week may initially be recommended. If you are unsure what to expect, we are happy to discuss your health concerns, answer your questions, and recommend an appropriate treatment schedule.

Side effects from acupuncture are uncommon and generally mild. Some patients may temporarily experience dizziness, fatigue, nausea, a sense of euphoria, mild soreness around the needle insertion sites, or minor bruising. These effects typically resolve quickly. Following the recommendations outlined in “Preparing for Your First Visit” can help reduce the likelihood of experiencing them.