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Orientation to Five Element Acupuncture If it’s your first time seeing an acupuncture practitioner, or if you’ve never experienced Five Element Acupuncture before, you might have some questions. What do I wear? How long will it take? What will it cost? And probably, most importantly, will I feel the needles? Here are a few things to know ahead of time before your first acupuncture session so you feel at ease and excited to aheal your body in a new way.
1. What is the Intake Appointment like, and what’s involved? Just like the standard questions most Western doctors ask — allergies, medications, alcohol consumption, family medical history — I will ask the same, and then some. I’ll want to learn more about your chief complaint — the reason you booked the appointment — followed by additional questions you might not expect, or that may feel irrelevant. These can range from sleeping patterns to your sex life, with digestive issues, urinary function, menstruation cycles, family history and stress all in the mix. While it may feel unrelated, I will ask these questions because many conditions can manifest from seemingly unrelated systems in the body/mind and spirit. Do your best to answer them as accurately as possible to help me give the best diagnosis, and create a treatment plan that serves you the most. Some people report that the experience of sharing information during this intake feels almost like a treatment in itself.
2. Will I be treated with needles at my first appointment? Rest assured, you will receive a treatment, in some form (acupuncture or acupressure) at your first appointment. Depending on the length of our intake interview and the Chinese Medical Examination, your first appointment may or may not include a treatment with needles. It is likely (and most common) to save the first needle treatment for your next appointment, after I have had time to reflect on your intake and create a good treatment plan for you. Regardless, at the very least, you will receive a balancing acupressure session. Because there’s so much to do, typically your first appointment will be about 2 1/2 hours long.
3. Does acupuncture treat just one symptom at a time? Acupuncture focuses on the whole-being with all of its complex interconnections, so you might be surprised to find that you recieve benefits you weren’t even looking for! Even if you’re feeling “okay,” acupuncture can make you feel great. Often, people will come in for neck, shoulder, or back pain, and then experience release in other areas of the body. Or they may come in for some other physical symptom, but experience mental, emotional or spiritual clarity from their session. Many people experience relief in one area, but then return for more sessions to address other needs or to maintain the deep sense of well-being they get from treatment!
4. Is there anything I need to do before coming for treatment? Make sure to drink lots of water and have something in your stomach a few hours before your appointment. Having enough energy in the body will help avoid any lightheadedness, dizziness, or risk of fainting during or after the session. A pretty standard guideline is to eat about two hours before your appointment. Try not to show up super full, and avoid heavy, fried, or spicy food, too. Also, I won’t be able to treat you if you have used cannabis or alcohol in the past 4-6 hours before your appointment as it can mask the subtle qualities of your energy and lead to a treatment that isn’t actually appropriate for you.
5. Will I be required to undress for acupuncture treatment? Unlike a massage, you will never be fully undressed for your session. You will be asked to remove any large jewlry items. I will provide a hospital-like gown to wear in order to easily access your back and any other part of the body necessary. I will only uncover the area of they body where I am working, and I will always inform you about what I’m doing as we go along. It’s all very modest and relaxed.
6. How are the sessions structured? When you first arrive, we will sit together and talk for a bit before you lie down on the massage table. After I check your pulses I will take a few moments to create a treatment plan that is specially tailored to address your needs on that day. I will mark all of the acupoints for the treatment with a light, washable marker and will typically begin with moxa (a warming herb) on each point, before needling. If you’ve had acupuncture before, your practitioner may have inserted the needles and then left you alone in the treatment room to allow the points to “cook” for a while. In Five Element Acupuncture, this practice is a bit different. I will always stay right with you during your session and will typically not leave the needles in for longer periods of time---except for specific occasions.
7. Are the needles really painful? Even if you’re typically afraid of needles, you need not be alarmed when it comes to acupuncture! As far as size goes, the needles acupuncturists use are about the width of a few strands of hair. Most people are typically surprised by how little they feel the needle, both when it’s inserted into the body and after its in place. You might feel a tiny prick when it enters the skin, especially if inserted in certain areas like the shins and feet, and then you will typically feel a second sensation as the energy of the point is engaged. This is desirable, as it indicates that the treatment is working well! I will ask you to tell me what you’re experiencing as we go along.
8. Is it possible to receive more than one therapeutic modality during a session? After more than 20 years as a licensed massage therapist and Asian bodywork therapist, I have lots of tools in my kit. So, although you may initially come in for acupuncture, we may include additional therapies, as needed. These may include gua sha, shiatsu, massage, cupping, or acupressure.
9. Do you take insurance? I look forward to a day when every health insurance provider allows (and encourages) people to get acupuncture. Unfortunately, this is not yet the case. It is especially surprising, and disappointing that acupuncturists are not in network with Medicare. If you have questions about this, please contact me directly. At this time Source Point Institute is in-network with Carefirst Blue Cross/Blue Shield---but coverage depends on your individual plan.
10. How often will I need to come for treatment? The answer to this question is different for each client. The greatest benefits of acupuncture are cumulative over time. When you first being treatment we will need to work together more frequently (weekly if possible). Once we establish a clear treatment plan, and the benefits from your treatments are holding well between visits, we can begin scheduling less frequently. It will become clear to both of us when this time comes, and we will adjust accordingly.
11. What are your rates, and do you offer discounts? My rates are as follows: Intake Appointment: $150.00 | 60 Minute Session: $100.00 | 90 Minute Session: $150.00 If these rates are not feasible for you, but you really want/need treatment, please reach out. I am willing to create a payment plan on a case-by-case basis. |
