"The secret of patient care is caring for the patient."

Your First Visit

Preparing for Your Appointment

Before Your First Visit

Spend some time thinking about what you would like to achieve from your acupuncture treatment. What are your expectations? What questions or concerns do you have about acupuncture? Jot down a few notes to bring with you to your first visit. The more openly we can communicate, the better we can help you.

Be realistic. If you have several conditions or symptoms you would like to address, please rank them. On your first visit, we will focus primarily on your chief complaint. Secondary issues will be noted and addressed as treatment progresses.

Start noticing how you feel each day and make a few notes. With respect to your chief complaint, try to answer these questions:

• When did this condition first appear? Is this a new condition or a recurring illness?
• What brought it on? What triggers it?
• Is your condition getting worse?
• To what degree does it interfere with your daily routine, work or sleep?
• What aggravates it? What provides relief?
• What time of day does it bother you the most? the least?

Be as descriptive and specific as possible. For example, “pain” and “discomfort” are very general words. Chinese Medicine recognizes subtle distinctions in different types of pain. Burning pain is not the same as pain that has a stabbing sensation. Listed below are some words you might use to distinguish your particular pain.

• Sharp
• Dull and achy
• Constant
• Burning
• Contracting/Tight
• Heavy
• Radiating (from where?)
• Intermittent
• Stabbing
• Distending
• Numb
• Pins & needles
• No feeling
• Wandering
• Pounding

If none of these are appropriate, try coming up with your own words. If you are having difficulty describing your pain in words, try visualizing it or drawing a picture, and then describe what you see.

On the Day of Your Appointment

The following suggestions are provided to help you have a safe and relaxing experience with acupuncture.

• Bring your notes and a list of current medications.
• Eat a light meal 2 hours prior to your visit.
• Acupuncture is not performed on individuals who are fasting. Being over-hungry increases the risk of nausea or dizziness.  Also, please do not overeat or eat any foods that cause your
  stomach to be upset.
• Avoid alcohol on the day of your treatment.  Acupuncture is not performed on intoxicated individuals.  It is also not advisable to become intoxicated shortly after treatment.
• Avoid exertion immediately before and after treatment (i.e. within 2 hours).
• Set aside enough time so that you are not rushing to and from your visit. Please schedule your activities on the day of your visit accordingly.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing that can be rolled up to your elbows or knees.