The Basics
Your first acupuncture appointment will last about two hours and will consist of a health history and your first treatment. During this time the main focus is to get to know you and to understand your health concerns so that Marni can focus treatment on your needs. The first hour will be spent discussing your symptoms, how your symptoms effect your life, and your health history. After this, Marni will listen to your pulse. Pulses Pulse taking is one of the main diagnostic tools for acupuncture practitioners. In Chinese Medicine, there are twelve pulses, six on each wrist. Each of these corresponds to a different functional system. The strength and quality of each of the pulses will be noted at the beginning and end of each treatment. After she listens to your pulses, Marni will guide you through your first acupuncture treatment. Treatment The treatment portion of the initial session will constitute the second hour of your appointment. Subsequent treatments will only last one hour. Acupuncture treatments consist of placing a small number of needles on various acupuncture points on the body. These needles are then retained for ten to twenty minutes while you relax. You have the option of sitting quietly or listening to peaceful music during this time. Marni will remove the needles after the appropriate period of time has passed, and then repeat this process two or three times. Overall, acupuncture treatments are very relaxing, and many people fall asleep during them. If you are wary of the idea of needles, Marni will take extra time to talk you through your first treatment, ensuring a comfortable and positive experience. If you're concerned about whether acupuncture will hurt (spoiler: it doesn't), take a look at Does Acupuncture Hurt? If you're concerned about the safety of acupuncture, you can read about Is Acupuncture Safe? or Are Acupuncturists Legitimate Professionals? If you have any other questions or concerns that you would like to address before scheduling your initial visit, take a look at the rest of our FAQ, or feel free to Contact Us. Marni is happy to answer any questions you may have, and will get back to you within one business day. Scheduling To schedule your first appointment, you can now use our Online Scheduler. |