Does acupuncture hurt?

Acupuncture needles are thin, solid and flexible, so not at all what you get with a blood draw or injection. You might feel a light pinch or brief sting that passes quickly, but most of the time you’ll feel nothing at all. After the needles are placed, most patients feel calm, relaxed and possibly sleepy.

What does acupuncture treat?

Almost anything that you wouldn’t go to urgent care for, including allergies, stress, anxiety, depression, hormone regulation, poor sleep, digestive disorders, muscle pain, nerve pain, stroke recovery, Bell’s Palsy, etc. Feel free to inquire about your specific needs and I’ll do my best to provide an honest assessment.

What can I expect at my first session?

Wear loose comfortable clothes that provide access to your knees and elbows or other areas that might need to be treated. Refrain from tongue scraping and food or drink that might stain the tongue before the session. We’ll go over your health history and chief concerns. I may palpate your abdomen, feel your pulses and look at your tongue before providing the acupuncture and other modalities as needed. Allow at least 1.5 hours for the first session.

How many treatments will I need?

It depends on the severity and how long you’ve had your condition. More chronic conditions may require maintenance and regular visits while acute things may be addressed more swiftly. A course of 6-8 treatments is often sufficient to address a single complaint at a frequency of one to two sessions per week. This will be assessed based on your individual needs.