Before your treatment: Be sure to wear loose, comfortable clothes that can pull up and allow access to the lower leg and forearm. It’s also a good idea to have something to eat in the few hours before your treatment and use the bathroom ahead of time. Try to arrive a few minutes early to relax and check in. If it’s your first visit, there’s some paperwork to fill out Bring the completed forms with you If you’re able to print them out at home. Otherwise, plan to arrive a little early to fill them out at the office. At the check-in station outside you’ll find hand sanitizer and a NEW CLIENT clipboard with a Health History and Consent forms (double-sided).

When you arrive: Come on in after putting on your mask (if you forget we have some just inside the door). We’ll do a quick screening and the receptionist will take your payment. We’re not using red envelopes for now, payment goes on a little tray and if you’re using a card we’ll sanitize it before handing it back. Be sure to let us know how much you are paying and if you need change. We encourage you to use the bathroom before your visit, so arrive early enough to be settled in a recliner by your appointment time.

Your first visit: Bring the completed forms with you If you’re able to print them out at home. Otherwise, plan to arrive a little early to fill them out at the office. The receptionist will briefly orient you to the clinic and take your payment on a little tray (we accept cash, check and will sanitize your card after use). The Acupuncturist will chat with you briefly before ushering you to a clean recliner in the treatment room. Now is the time to find out what brings you to our clinic. The practitioner will ask questions about your symptoms in a hushed voice and after gathering enough information, we’ll instruct you to roll up your pants & sleeves, pull the handle to recline the chair and get settled. We’ll let you know what to expect as we start the treatment and insert the points. It only takes a minute or so and after checking that you’re comfortable we’ll let you rest and take a nap if you like.When the relaxation begins to fade, you feel alert and ready to get going, just open your eyes and give us a glance. Let us know if there’s a time you need to be up otherwise we try not to disturb you until we need to clean the chair. The initial visit lasts about and hour and a half.

On your return visits: After the Receptionist is done checking you in, the Acupuncturist will open the treatment room door and escort you to a clean recliner. Take a seat, remove your shoes, roll up your pant legs and sleeves. After a brief intake about your symptoms, pull the chair handle and get cozy in your clean blanket from home (we can provide blankets if you forget). The practitioner will insert the acupuncture points and make sure you’re comfortable before leaving you to relax and let the needles do their job. We’re trying to let folks rest as long as we can, but may have to get you up after an hour so we have time to clean the chair before the next client. Let us know if you need to be woken at a certain time, otherwise just give us a glance when you’re feeling ready to go or if you need attention during your session.

On your way out: After we remove your needles and you get up to leave, peek through the glass door to check that the lobby is clear before exiting. Use your elbow or foot to push open the door. Staff may direct you to wait or step aside to maintain social distancing. Remember to use the hand sanitizer one more time before you leave.

Sensations: At the needle site you may feel a dull ache, a warm tingling sensation, or electrical impulses that may travel up or down the body. This means that the point is being activated and is not only normal, but expected. Most sensations will subside quickly and you may even forget that the needles are there!
Pain on the other hand, is not a part of the therapeutic response. If you feel a sharp or poking sensation let us know. It’s common during insertion to feel very slight prick that will subside quickly, but occasionally the needle will enter a hair follicle. This may feel like a pinch or a mosquito bite. In this rare case, the needle will be removed, and we’ll try that point again later in the treatment. Your comfort is important to us, so please communicate what’s going on.

Possible reactions: After your acupuncturist removes the needles, take your time getting up and composing yourself to re-enter the outside world. Some people feel rejuvenated & energized, others report a ‘spacey, blissed out feeling’ after acupuncture. It’s not uncommon to feel tired after the treatment, so plan your day accordingly. Bruising at the needle site happens every once in a while and occasionally a point may ache a little following treatment. These are all normal reactions, but take note of how you respond to acupuncture and give your acupuncturist feedback on any positive or adverse reactions.

[TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE] Stop smoking / ear treatments: If you want to quit smoking, acupuncture can help to reduce cravings, manage withdrawal symptoms, calm stress and improve respiratory health. The treatment is simple, 5 points on each ear every day for about a week until the cravings become manageable. Check out our Stop Smoking Special.