What can you expect during your first treatment?

• Intake/diagnosis
  In the first session, a thorough medical history is taken, in order to assess the nature of your condition (disharmony). Observation, asking, listening, and touch (most commonly taking the pulse) are central to obtaining a diagnosis (Get Intake Form).
• Treatment
  The acupuncture treatment consists of insertion of hair-thin sterile needles just below skin level (generally 4-15 needles, but will vary). Patients are often surprised that they do not feel pain and generally have a feeling of well being after the needles have been placed. Occasionally there can be a sharp or dull ache, but this feeling quickly subsides. The needles are retained for 10-30 minutes. For some conditions, herbal medication or massage is recommended. 
• Follow up
  A treatment plan will be designed. Sometimes only one or two treatments are needed, but long- term conditions often require weeks or months to resolve. 
• Expect to spend at least 1.5 hours for the initial intake and treatment