A visit to the Acupuncture clinic begins by filling out some forms to provide important background information. After this is completed, during the initial interview you will be given an opportunity to discuss your health problem in depth. Because Oriental Medicine addresses the entire body and not just individual symptoms, you will be asked a number of different questions that may not seem related to your condition but will help to form an overall picture of how your entire body system is functioning.

A sample of some questions you will be asked include how hot or cold you normally feel, your energy level, your emotions/mood, the presence of any sweating, state of digestion, any aches or pains, bowel movements, urination, and sleep. The interview will also include an examination of the pulse and tongue, and may include palpation (gentle pressing) of the abdomen.

The Pulse and Tongue

The pulse and tongue examinations are two pillars of Oriental Medicine diagnosis. The pulse is measured not only for rate but also for strength, depth, and quality. Traditionally there are 28 different pulse types, and many of these can be present in combination. The pulse provides deep insight into how the body is functioning. The tongue also reflects the internal state of the body's organs. The tongue shape and size, color, coat, and presence of any irregularities are all closely noted to gain greater understanding of how your body is functioning.

After this information is collected, an Oriental Medicine diagnosis is formed and a treatment plan decided. This dictates which body points are selected for Acupuncture and which herbs will be prescribed in an herbal formula. Both Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine aim to correct the imbalance of energy in the body. Ultimately, all diagnoses can be broken down to an imbalance of Yin and Yang in the body.

The Treatment

An Acupuncture treatment is usually performed with the patient lying either face up or face down on a massage table. A typical Chinese style treatment will include about eight to twelve points for needling, but may include less or more depending on your circumstances. The needles are retained for about 20 to 30 minutes, during which time you will be given a chance to relax and allow the needles to take effect. In a Japanese style treatment, a greater number of points are needled over the entire body, but the needles can be barely felt. A Japanese style treatment will typically last about 60 minutes, and the practitioner remains with the patient for the entire time, gently palpating and needling different body points.

After the Treatment

Acupuncture treatment elicits a state of calm and relaxation that many people compare to receiving a massage. After receiving a treatment, many people express they feel a sense of well being that is difficult to describe in words. You may also feel slightly tired as though you have just had a massage.

Herbal Prescription

After the Acupuncture session is finished, you will be given an herbal prescription. The prescription will typically consist of three packets of herbs, which is enough to make one week's worth of herbal tea. The herbs are prepared by decocting (boiling) them in a special clay pot until a strong cup of tea remains. One cup of tea is typically taken per day. (Click here for more information on custom herbal prescriptions.)

How Many Treatments?

You can typically expect your first visit to require about 90 minutes, and follow-up visits to require about one hour. Usually one to two treatments per week is optimal, with ten treatments constituting one course of treatment. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may need anywhere from one treatment to multiple courses of treatments. This will be discussed on your initial visit. As a general rule, acute problems can generally be treated with fewer visits, while chronic problems may require one month of treatment for every year the problem has persisted. However, every person has a different set of circumstances, so these should be discussed in detail to get a better idea of the treatment schedule.

Back to top