What to Expect

Your First Appointment

Your first visit begins with a brief consultation, where you can share your main health concerns in your own words.  This is a chance for me to really listen and help you make sense of what’s been going on, while together we clarify your health priorities. This portion typically takes about 15 minutes.

From there, we’ll step back and look at the bigger picture. I’ll outline what I’m seeing and walk you through the treatment options available and costs involved, so we can share a clear, bird’s-eye view of the possible paths forward before moving ahead.

If we decide together to proceed, I’ll then complete a comprehensive diagnostic intake. This includes a more detailed discussion of your health history, along with a physical examination that includes involves feeling the pulses at both wrists and possibly palpating areas of the body while you’re on the treatment table.

After the intake process is complete, you’ll be given a treatment if time permits.  The entire process of intake and treatment usually takes 45-60 minutes, though with complex cases it may be as much as 1-1/2 hours.

At the end of the visit, we’ll review what I’ve found, including an explanation of the underlying patterns and contributing factors involved in your health concerns. I’ll also offer clear treatment recommendations, which may include acupuncture, herbal medicine, or a combination of both.

Your Treatment

Treatment is usually conducted while lying down on a massage table, but may be done in a seated position.

Treatment is performed using acupuncture, acupressure, moxa, and/or bodywork techniques.

A typical treatment session will involve the insertion of one or more needles, depending on the condition. The length of needle retention will vary from person to person, and may range from seconds or minutes up to an hour.

Most of the time, clothing need not be removed, although it may be required to unbutton, move, or roll up clothing, depending on the part of the body being accessed.

If you feel uncomfortable in any position, or have some problem with treatment methods applied to a particular area of your body, we will be sensitive to your needs. If you are needle-sensitive or have had an unpleasant previous experience with needles or another acupuncturist, please let us know. Whatever your needs, please communicate them to us directly!

Every effort is made to ensure your comfort with and understanding of the treatment methods being used.