You will meet with your practitioner for an in-depth conversation about your signs and symptoms and your comprehensive health history. You may be asked some questions about your diet, exercise, and lifestyle. Depending on your condition, your practitioner may ask you to lie down on a treatment table and any insertion sites will be cleaned with alcohol. After inserting the needles we leave you to rest for 15 to 30 minutes, but may return for occasional adjustment of the needles. You may receive other treatments such as gua sha or moxibustion at the same time as acupuncture. Undressing is seldom necessary for acupuncture treatments but you should wear loose, comfortable clothes that provide easy access to your knees and elbows.
If you are receiving an herbal formula, your practitioner will explain the formula to you, ask you questions about food and medication allergies, and explain the different pricing options.
At the end of the treatment, your practioner will discuss your treatment plan, which includes any herbal formulas you may receive, nutritional advice, and the plan for your continuing acupuncture treatments.