Personalized care starts with understanding your needs.
Your first appointment begins with a conversation about what brings you in and what you'd like to improve.
1. We Start by Listening
We'll discuss your symptoms, health history, current medications, and previous treatments. We also want to understand how your concerns affect your everyday life and what you hope to achieve through acupuncture.
If you're undergoing fertility treatment or managing another medical condition, we'll take that into consideration when developing your treatment plan.
2. We Look at the Bigger Picture
Depending on your concerns, we may assess your range of motion, areas of pain or tension, and other relevant physical findings.
We may also examine your tongue and assess your pulse as part of a traditional Chinese medicine evaluation. These observations, together with your health history and symptoms, help us identify your TCM pattern and guide your treatment.
3. We Explain Your Treatment
Before beginning, we'll explain the treatment and what you can expect. We use thin, sterile, single-use acupuncture needles and position you comfortably on the treatment table.
You may feel a brief pinch, warmth, pressure, heaviness, or very little at all. Your comfort is important, and we can make adjustments throughout the session.
Once the needles are placed, you'll have time to rest and relax in a peaceful environment. At the end of your session, the needles are gently removed and safely disposed of.
4. We Make a Treatment Plan
Before you leave, we'll discuss a personalized treatment plan based on your health history, symptoms, and goals.
We'll recommend a treatment schedule, explain what improvements to look for, and monitor your progress throughout your care.
Your treatment plan may be adjusted over time depending on how you respond.
Before Your Appointment
A little preparation can help make your first visit more comfortable.
- Eat something beforehand. Have a light meal or snack and drink some water. Arriving on an empty stomach can increase the chance of feeling lightheaded during or after acupuncture.
- Dress comfortably. Loose-fitting clothing makes it easier to access common acupuncture points on the arms and legs.
- Bring relevant information. Have your medication list, insurance card, and any relevant medical records or referrals available.
- Share important health information. Let us know if you are pregnant or might be pregnant, have an implanted medical device, take blood-thinning medication, have a bleeding disorder, or are undergoing cancer treatment.
- Plan time for paperwork. Allow enough time to complete any required new-patient forms.
After Your Appointment
Most patients can return to their normal daily activities after acupuncture. Some people feel deeply relaxed or energized, while others may experience temporary fatigue, mild soreness, or tenderness around the needle sites.
We recommend staying hydrated and paying attention to how your body responds. If you feel tired, give yourself time to rest and avoid strenuous activity until you're feeling back to normal.
If you experience any unusual or persistent symptoms, please contact our office.
NEW PATIENT FORMS REQUEST YOUR FIRST VISIT
Appointment changes: Please review our Cancellation & No-Show Policy before scheduling.
Using Insurance for Your Visit
We accept eligible acupuncture insurance plans through Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare.
If you plan to use insurance, please bring your insurance card and verify your acupuncture benefits before your first appointment. Coverage varies by plan.
We can also provide an itemized superbill upon request that you may submit to your insurer for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Reimbursement is determined by your insurance plan and is not guaranteed.
