During your first visit, you will have the opportunity to tell us what you would like to address with acupuncture and/or Chinese herbs. Many times just telling your story will help us both understand you better and your needs.

Occasionally, we will have time for a short treatment during the first visit, but more commonly we begin to use needles with the second visit.

The first session differs from subsequent treatments in that a thorough diagnostic interview is conducted in order to evaluate a patient’s needs and to determine a diagnosis and treatment plan specifically suited to that individual.

This interview is usually from 1 1/2 –2 hours.

A brief physical exam is also conducted in order to gather as much information as possible and note any physical imbalances present.

We use several methods of observation in order to best meet the needs of each individual including pulse and tongue diagnosis.

Subsequent sessions usually last from 45-75 minutes and are usually done with the patient lying on the treatment table in their own clothes or a robe provided.

A treatment usually consists of the use of warming moxa (an herb sometimes used to nourish and prepare the point for needling) and the insertion of acupuncture needles into specific points chosen for this particular individual.