WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT
Before Your Session
● Please eat a light meal or snack with protein within 2 hours of your appointment and
come well hydrated. Low blood sugar or dehydration may increase sensitivity or
lightheadedness during treatment.
● Limiting caffeine beforehand may help you feel more grounded and receptive to
treatment.
● Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Pants that can easily roll above the knees are
ideal. Sheets are available for draping if needed.
● Please complete your new patient paperwork prior to your appointment.
● If possible, avoid brushing or scraping your tongue or eating foods that stain it (such
as coffee, berries, or beets) before your visit, as tongue observation is part of
assessment.
During Your Session
● Arrive, settle and receive. Please silence your phone before entering the treatment room so you can fully relax and be present.
● Your initial appointment includes a detailed conversation about your health history, symptoms, lifestyle, and goals for treatment. This portion typically takes 30–45 minutes.
● Traditional Chinese Medicine uses pulse and tongue observation as tools to better understand patterns within the body. Both the pulse and tongue serve as maps of the internal organ systems, offering insight into what may be in or out of balance. These diagnostic tools help guide treatment to support your whole system and address the root of imbalance, not just symptoms.
● Most patients find acupuncture deeply relaxing. Needle insertion is typically very gentle, with minimal or brief sensation. Needles are usually retained for 15–40 minutes while you rest. Depending on your needs, treatment may also include modalities such as moxa, cupping, gua sha and e-stim.
● Please feel free to ask questions during your visit. I love educating clients on Chinese Medicine and helping you better understand the patterns showing up in your body and what they may be communicating.
After Your Session
We encourage you to drink plenty of water and take it easy for the remainder of the day.
Gentle movement is welcome, though strenuous exercise is often best saved for before
treatment. Please eat healthy, nourishing foods and try to avoid heavy, fried foods, alcohol
and caffeine.
It is normal to feel:
● Deeply relaxed or “spacey” — Some people feel calm, grounded, or sleepy afterward.
Eating some protein afterward can help bring you back to earth, especially if you need
to jump back into the rest of your day.
● Energized and clear-headed — others leave feeling refreshed and focused.
● Mild soreness or tenderness — slight tenderness at needle sites or treated areas can
occasionally occur and typically resolves within 24 hours.
Treatment Plan
Following your first appointment, you will receive personalized recommendations to support
your healing process, including lifestyle practices, nutrition, supplements and/or herbal
support.
Common Responses to Acupuncture
● Emotional release or increased sensitivity
● Tingling, warmth, or sensation in other areas of the body
● Feeling deeply relaxed or mildly “foggy”
● Changes in digestion or elimination
● Temporary fatigue
● Mild muscle twitching or soreness
These responses are generally short-lived and part of the body’s adjustment process. If
anything feels concerning after treatment, please don’t hesitate to reach out
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