Appointment Overview

Prior to Arrival

Arrival

Please be on time for appointments! This is a one practitioner clinic with no staff so if you are not greeted when you come in the door please make yourself at home. Hot water and tea is available, help yourself. Take a seat and the practitioner will be out shortly.

Treatment

When it is time for your treatment the practitioner will check you in and take you back to the treatment room.

Your treatment will take place in one of the two rooms in the clinic. If it is your first treatment you and the practitioner will go over all necessary information and paperwork, medical history, medications and questions you have prior to starting the intake. Next, together you will go over a detailed comprehensive intake from which the practitioner will develop your treatment and treatment plan.

After the intake has finished if the appointment is for acupuncture or cupping you will get comfortable on the treatment table and the treatment will begin. Always feel free to communicate with the practitioner about how your feeling. It is your treatment and we want you to feel safe and comfortable for the duration.

Questions

Q: Does Acupuncture Hurt ?

A: Acupuncture Should not be painful. The practitioner will walk you through what is an acceptable sensation. Generally the initial poke is felt but sometimes it is not. The desired sensation is often described as heaviness or a deep ache that is not painful; in Traditional Chinese Medicine this is called Da Qi or great qi. This sensation is not painful, only tells us that we have stimulated the nervous system effectively. Rarely patients can experience increased pain after treatment. If this happens please reach out to your practitioner.

Q: Does Cupping Hurt, what about the marks it leaves?

A: Cupping is not painful when done correctly. A skilled practitioner can vary the suction to very strong or very light. When cupping is applied with strong suction the patient may get a slightly pinching sensation that usually resolves in a few seconds. Cupping leaves marks on the body, but they are not bruises and should not be tender. These marks result from the suction of cupping drawing blood to the area. This is how cupping can help aid in tissue recovery and reduce pain. Cupping is also great at aiding lymph and fluid drainage in the body, which in turn can be a great immune booster when you are just getting sick. Wear your cupping marks with pride, they are a symbol of prioritizing your health!