If you have never experienced an acupuncture treatment, it’s common to feel a little nervous.  This section is meant to help you have a clear picture on what to expect on your first visit and treatment at Redbird Nest Acupuncture, so you are more comfortable before your session.

INTAKE FORMS

If you have scheduled online, you will receive medical history and consent forms where you will share your reason(s) for seeking acupuncture care and provide the clinician permission to treat you.  You will also be asked to sign electronically a Notice of Privacy form which explains your rights on how health information can be shared.

If you scheduled by phone, you will receive these forms when you present for your treatment.  Please arrive at least 15 minutes ahead of your appointment time to complete these forms.

SHARING & DIAGNOSTICS

Next, the clinician will review your medical history form, discuss what you would like to work on, and feel pulses on both wrists and look at your tongue.  The clinician may also “palpate” or press on different acupuncture points on your abdomen, muscle areas, joints, or your back.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice, the clinician will gather information from these four steps that we call “Observation, Listening, Inquiry (Asking), and Palpation”.  All of this information helps the TCM doctor determine a TCM diagnosis to guide a treatment plan.  The treatment plan will determine what acupuncture points to needle and how often it will be recommended that you follow-up for best results for your condition.  The information gathered may also inform on other modalities that you may benefit from, like cupping, moxibustion or Chinese therapeutic massage (called Tui Na).  Time permitting, these additional modalities will be performed after the acupuncture.

GETTING COMFORTABLE

You will be given a few minutes to get comfortable on the massage table, with adjusting clothing to allow for needling hands, arms, legs, abdomen, or your back.  Sheets and towels will be used to drape you and keep you warm.  A therapeutic infrared heat lamp may also be used to warm up areas of your body, especially areas of pain, to help reduce inflammation.

YOUR TREATMENT

The acupuncture treatment will begin and the TCM doctor will insert the needles, usually anywhere between 8 to 14 needles.  Some smaller needles may be inserted on the head or in your ears.  These are “special points” that may be used to have a stronger calming effect.  While the needles are “in”, sometimes the TCM doctor may burn a moxa stick (like an herbal cigar) about an inch away from the skin, over acupuncture points, if appropriate for treating your condition. The needles will be removed after about 30-40 minutes, at which point additional modalities may be performed (ie. cupping or therapeutic massage). 

WHAT WILL IT FEEL LIKE?

Many patients on the first visit ask beforehand “will it hurt”?  You may feel a slight pinch when the needle is inserted.  You may also feel warmth or a tingling sensation in the area of the needle and/or traveling sensation along the channel.  Usually once the needles are inserted, you will hardly feel any sensations.  Most patients find they feel very relaxed while the needles are in, and some fall asleep. If anything is uncomfortable, the clinician can adjust the needles to ensure you can relax and benefit fully from the acupuncture treatment.

SESSION WRAP-UP

Once the treatment is completed, you will be guided with a recommended treatment plan of follow-up sessions (how often to repeat the acupuncture) and any additional herbal, nutritional, or lifestyle advice.  If you have any questions or concerns, the clinician will provide additional guidance at the time of the visit or before the next session by phone or email.