What To Expect During an Acupuncture Treatment

If you’re new to acupuncture, you might be wondering what exactly happens during a session. At Arvada Acupuncture, our goal is to make your experience as relaxing, supportive, and healing as possible.

 

Here’s a quick guide on what to expect, and how to prepare for your appointment with us.

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• Before you arrive, we ask that you fill out your paperwork online to make the most out of your time in the treatment room and to get a good understanding of your health history. This allows us to prepare for your appointment and put together a treatment plan.

• To prevent any lightheadedness, make sure to eat a light snack or small meal about 2 hours before your appointment. Having food in your stomach will help provide your body with  nutrients and energy to heal.

• We want you to be as comfortable as possible during your session, so come in your most comfortable clothes! We recommend loose clothing that is easy to roll up above your elbows or knees.

• During your intake, we will sit down together to discuss what brings you in. In acupuncture, we want to get the full picture and look at things from a holistic perspective. We will ask about things like sleep, digestion, mood, etc.

• In Chinese medicine, we use pulse and tongue diagnosis to get an idea of what is going on inside the body. During your treatment, your acupuncturist will ask to see your tongue and will take your pulse on both wrists.

• Once we get a good understanding of what has been going on in your body, we will begin to place thin needles in your skin. Each acupuncture point that is used in your treatment will depend on your diagnosis. The goal is to restore balance back in the body to promote proper healing. Most patients find acupuncture to be relaxing, and you might even get a good nap in!

• Depending on your symptoms, we may use other modalities such as fire cupping, moxibustion, gua sha, "dry needling", or tui na (Chinese medical massage & stretching). These modalities can provide extra support to help restore your body.

 

In addition, Chinese herbs may be suggested to help manage symptoms in between appointments. Your herbal formula will be customized specifically for you and your body's needs.

 

After your first treatment, your acupuncturist will send you home with a report of findings and any lifestyle or dietary recommendations they may have.

 

The frequency of treatments will vary per patient and depends on your current state. If you're dealing with an acute concern, you may benefit from frequent sessions as close together as possible to get the best results. If you're dealing with a chronic concern (IE hormones or fertility), you will be recommended to commit to weekly or bi-weekly treatment for at least 3-6 months.

 

If you have any questions before your appointment, please reach out to us at Arvada Acupuncture! We are here to support you in your journey to heal!

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