Before Your Session
- Please fill out the patient intake forms and bring them with you to your first appointment.
- Rebecca will spend time getting to know you, reviewing your medical history and asking lots of questions. Expect your first session to last 90 minutes.
- Wear loose comfortable clothing so that Rebecca can easily lift up your sleeves and pant cuffs to reach your forearms and calves. While most patients receive acupuncture treatment lying down on a massage table, you may choose to sit up in a comfy armchair instead if that is easier for you.
- If you are receiving cosmetic acupuncture, you may want to skip caffeine before your appointment since you’ll be lying still for a while. Also, please avoid lotion or makeup on your face.
During Your Session
- Acupuncture sessions take place on a heated massage table. If for any reason you need to be sitting for the treatment, we also have comfortable chairs to sit in.
- There are many different sensations felt with acupuncture. Rebecca is a very gentle acupuncturist and oftentimes patients do not feel the needles at all. You may experience heavy, achy, pressure, warmth or tingling sensations.
- Once all the needles are in, Rebecca leaves you alone for 20-30 min to relax and allow the acupuncture and your body to do their work. This is the acu-nap time, and the best part of the treatment.
- Often acupuncture has a slightly sedating effect on the patient. While you’re lying there quietly, breathe deeply and just relax. Most people find acupuncture to be very calming and many patients drift off to sleep.
After Your Session
For several hours after your acupuncture session you may feel very relaxed, perhaps even spacey. Do not plan any activity that requires physical exertion or mental acuity for a bit after your first appointment. This will give you a chance to see how you personally respond to acupuncture so you can plan accordingly for your next sessions.