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So what should I expect on my first visit?
Though you think an acupuncture office would be a bit different, one thing is true: you cannot escape the paperwork! I need a full medical history to serve you well. I will question you at length about your symptoms, medications, exercise habits, diet, evaluate your range of motion, palpate for sensitive areas, review lab work and X-rays as needed, look at your tongue, feel your pulses, and take your blood pressure. This examination is in classic Chinese style, updated to include reliable American treatment standards. The initial intake alone may take more than an hour for complicated cases.
The treatment itself will take 30-40 minutes. You will either be lying on a massage table or in a recliner. I may use moxabustion
in the affected areas, apply stationary or sliding cupping, administer electrotherapy, heat lamps, or employ Chinese massage techniques like guasha, shiatsu, or tuina.
You then lie quietly with needles in place, with soft music in the background, and lights dimmed. Many patients feel rejuvenated, energized, and calmed after a session.
Go to the video page to watch a typical treatment.
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| Moxabustion can be used to stop bleeding, treat pain that is worse with cold weather, to turn a breech baby and more |
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| Cupping is used to remove toxins, stagnation, and muscle pain. Fire cups are traditional, but my insurer prefers I use a less dangerous method. |
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How many treatments will I need?
Naturally, the more acute the problem, the fewer sessions you should require. Long standing cases, particularly when complicated by other chronic diseases, may take longer to realize results. You should start to see improvement after 4-6 sessions. You would not expect to have a miraculous recovery by seeing a physical therapist for only one visit; neither should you expect that from this form of physical medicine.
Even people who are in perfect health should get preventative medicine treatments 4 times a year at the change of seasons to de-stress and balance the immune system and hormones. At this time we stimulate the extraordinary meridians, which act as an energy reservoir. Suppose you have an energetic blockage in the neck. This could lead to headaches, tight shoulders and back, insomnia, blood pressure problems, dizziness and more. The balancing treatment will reset your 'computer' and unblock any clogged pathways.
I realize how hard you work for your money and how most people are strained from paycheck to paycheck. I definitely try to keep that in mind when scheduling follow-up sessions and prescribing herbs. Many clients can come in for the comprehensive visit initially, and follow-ups can be scheduled in the low cost clinic.
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