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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost?

Service and rates are all listed here. Any discounts apply to services only but excludes all other products.

What do I need to prepare for my first appointment?

Not much, just a few things to take note of:

  1. Wear loose, comfortable clothing.

  2. Try not to scrape or brush your tongue the day of your appointment.

  3. Eat a little food at least 30 minutes before your appointment and make sure to hydrate.

Do the needles hurt?

No. Acupuncture is not meant to be painful, the needles used in acupuncture are solid filament needles that are hair-thin – very, very different from the needles people associate with the doctor’s office. Acupuncture does not feel anything like getting a shot or getting blood drawn, at most you may feel a small pinch on insertion, like a bug bite.

How long is a session?

The initial treatment lasts up to 90 minutes. Return treatments last up to 60 minutes.

Do acupuncture and herbs work?

Yes. But Chinese medicine does not work like conventional medicine, acupuncture and herbs are a cumulative process. It takes patience and consistency.

How many sessions does it take?

I get this question a lot. Everybody is unique and so everyone responds a bit differently to acupuncture. On average, most patients start to see differences in 8-10 sessions. Again, this is an average, it depends on the responsiveness of the patient, the nature (severity, duration, etc.) of the complaint, and the compliance of the patient during the treatment period.

How does Chinese medicine work?

The textbook answer is that these hair-thin needles are inserted into acupuncture points to stimulate the central nervous system and regulate Qi in order to help relieve pain and cause biochemical changes. I view symptoms as imbalance or stagnation in the body. I think of herbs and acupuncture as traffic lights. Your body know what it needs to do, you just may not have enough energy, or your energy is not flowing correctly, for your body to heal itself. The goal is to get traffic jams moving along and replenish your reserves so that your body is strong enough to take care of imbalances that occur. Chinese medicine requires rebalancing and maintenance.

Can I itch my nose?

Yes! It may not be a question you thought about before, but you will. Lots of patients have jokingly complained their nose always itches after all the needles are in. This is a good sign, though inconvenient. The needles are not meant to freeze you in place (no matter what you see on TV). You are able and allowed to move around to get comfortable and itch if you need to.

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