Preparing for Your First Visit

Please complete all the new patient forms that you receive prior to your scheduled appointment.  The questions may seem endless and totally unrelated to your health concern, however they are necessary to make a proper evaluation based on Oriental medicine which approaches health concerns by treating the individual person rather than the specific ailment.  Certainly the focus of treatment will be on your chief complaints, but a complete health picture is necessary to make proper acupuncture point and herb selections.

Please also spend some time thinking about what you would like to achieve from your treatment. What are your expectations? What questions or concerns do you have? The more openly we communicate the better and more quickly I can help you. 

Be as descriptive and specific as possible when describing your chief complaint. For example, "pain" and "discomfort" are very general words. Oriental medicine recognizes subtle distinctions in different types of pain. The cause of burning pain is not the same as pain that has a stabbing sensation. Listed below are some words you might use to describe your particular pain.

• Sharp
• Dull and achy
• Constant
• Burning
• Contracting/Tight
• Heavy
• Radiating (from where?)
• Intermittent
• Stabbing
• Distending
• Numb
• Pins & needles
• No feeling
• Wandering
• Pounding

On the Day of Your Appointment

The following suggestions are provided to help you have a safe and relaxing experience.   I ask that patients adhere to certain precautions. Please read this section carefully. If you have any questions, please contact me prior to your first visit.

• Bring the completed patient forms, any notes you have and a list of all current medications and supplements. Please use a separate sheet if there is not enough space on the Patient Health History form.

• Eat a light meal a couple of hours prior to your visit.  Acupuncture is not performed on individuals who are fasting. Being over-hungry increases the risk of nausea or dizziness.  At the same time, please do not overeat or eat any foods that cause your stomach to be upset (for example, rich, greasy, fried, or extremely spicy foods).

• Avoid alcohol on the day of your treatment.  Acupuncture is not performed on intoxicated individuals due to the increased risk of shock. It is also not advisable to become intoxicated shortly after treatment.

• Avoid heavy exertion (including sexual activity) immediately before and after treatment (i.e. within 2 hours).  Physical strain immediately before or after acupuncture can impede the flow of qi and weaken your body.

• Set aside enough time so that you are not rushing to and from your appointment. Please schedule your activities on the day of your visit accordingly (for example, do not schedule your appointment right before you referee a soccer match or go to the gym).

• Wear loose, comfortable clothing that can be rolled up to your elbows or knees.  Acupuncture points are located all over the body. Many of the acupuncture points that are commonly used are below the elbows and knees. You will be more comfortable if your clothing can be easily rolled up past these joints. Women should not wear one-piece dresses. If necessary, a sheet can be provided.

• Be on time for your appointment so that you may benefit fully. When you make an appointment, please understand that time has been reserved for you. There will be a charge for missed appointments without 24 hours prior notice.

Request a Free Initial Consultation

Once again I urge you to take the first step toward better health and contact me  for a free phone consultation or to schedule an appointment.

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