Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is
wholistic, meaning that the person's entire state
of health, and not just the symptoms that bring the patient
to the office, are relevant.
Symptoms are viewed as a result of an
imbalance in the overall state of health, rather than arising
spontaneously.
For this reason, practitioners take
the time to ask a lot of questions of the patient. For example,
in our first appointment we'll ask about your quality of sleep,
digestion, energy level, health history, diet, etc., in order
to formulate a treatment plan (a series of treatments) that
will bring your body back into balance again (alleviating
symptoms).
We will also feel the pulse on both
wrists and look at your tongue.
The feel of your pulse and the look
of your tongue (you'd be amazed at the variations among patients!)
give us more information about what is happening internally
and, used together with your answers to our questions, confirm
the diagnosis.
All the information taken together enables
us to make the decision as to what points to use and how many
treatments it will take to get a good result.
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Consumer studies have determined
that the main reason people don't go to
an acupuncturist is that they're afraid
of the needles.
The (mis)perception is that
acupuncture needles are like the hyperdermic
needles used for shots, and will hurt.
This could not be further from the truth.
Acupuncture needles are
nearly as thin as a human hair, and most
insertions are completely painless (patients
sometimes don't even know we've placed
the needle).
At times there is a slight
pinch if we needle a point in an area
where the skin is thinner (the inside
of the arm, as compared to the back).
But even that sensation is very mild and
only lasts a moment.
Children all over China
and Japan receive acupuncture every day,
and have done so for two thousand years.
It is a myth that acupuncture
treatments are painful or uncomfortable.
The truth is they are relaxing and restorative.
We take our time during treatments, and
go at a pace that feels comfortable for
you. We tell you exactly what we're going
to do, so you are never surprised or uncertain
about what we are doing and why we're
doing it.
All needles are sterilized
and disposable, used only once--on you.
We follow all the protocols for the health
and safety of our patients recommended
by the National Commission for Acupuncture
and Oriental Medicine and all our practitioners
have passed the national exam for Clean
Needle Technique.
Some people feel proud of
themselves that they pushed past their
fears and tried acupuncture; and they're
glad they did! It is only the perceived
fear that is the challenge here, not the
actual treatment. If you would like to
have a conversation with us about your
concerns, please feel free to call.
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We've made it possible for you to save
time on your first visit, by filling out our First
Time Patient and Brief
Health History forms on your computer and printing them
out.
Just click on the links above, fill
in the forms, then print them out and bring them with you.
Alternatively, you can come 10 minutes early for your first
visit, and fill them out at the clinic.
Without leaving your seat, you can now
book your first appointment right from your computer. Just
read on...
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