GENERAL GUIDELINES

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Here are some general guidelines when preparing for an acupuncture treatment. These recommendations tend to improve the treatment experience and outcome for most people.

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• Make a list of all your symptoms and major life events before you go to the appointment.

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• If possible, please wear loose fitting clothing to your appointment.   This will give us better access to places where needles may need to be placed as dictated by the treatment plan. 

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• Eat a light meal at least two hours prior to your treatment and make sure to eat a light meal after your treatment. If you have not eaten on the day of your appointment, we may need to reschedule your treatment.

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• Please avoid drinking coffee, alcohol, and sugar prior to your acupuncture appointment. Each of these will affect your nervous system accordingly interfering with our attempt to shift your nervous system into parasympathetic mode (rest/digest/heal) so that healing may begin. Additionally, it will affect your pulse and tongue making it difficult to accurately diagnose pulse and tongue.

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• Turn off technology. Your treatment time is the time to concentrate on yourself. The world outside can wait. It’s your time to care for yourself. So whenever possible, turn off your cell phones and any other technical devices during your appointment.

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• Don’t go swimming in cold water, avoid drafts, wear a scarf and eat warm food before and after acupuncture treatments. Wind can make you vulnerable to external invasions and cold can cause pain. Always protect yourself from the elements whether you are inside or outside.

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• Avoid the application of ice after acupuncture. Acupuncture moves and circulates qi and blood. Cold contracts and slows things down. If ice is needed in your treatment apply it a few hours after your acupuncture treatment. Why? Because it takes hours for your qi (energy) to settle into its new, healthier way of being.

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• Avoid taking pain killers before the treatment. Pain killers block out the ability to feel qi making your treatment less effective. You won’t be able to sense any subtle changes afterwards.

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• Drink warm water soon after your treatment. Not only will this quench your thirst but the warmth of the water will also assist in qi movement.

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• If after an acupuncture treatment you feel light-headed, please sit down for a few minutes. In a few minutes, you will feel relaxed and clear-headed.

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• Herbal prescriptions are intended ONLY for you, the person for whom they are prescribed.

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• Advise us if you are sleep deprived, exceptionally stressed or overworked. This will help us decide what treatment is best for you at that time. Everything is considered during the treatment planning.