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What To Expect
Before your treatment:
Be sure to wear loose, comfortable clothes that can be pulled up to allow access to the lower leg and forearm. It's also a good idea to have something to eat a few hours before your treatment. Also, part of the diagnosis involves looking at your tongue and complexion, so if you brush your tongue or wear make-up, try to skip it the day of your treatment to allow a more realistic assessment. Try to arrive a few minutes early to relax and check in.
When you arrive:
Take a deep breath and relax. Visit the restroom if you need to. Remove your shoes at the bench in the hallway and come on in. Once you enter the community space, you'll find the check-in table with your little red payment envelope (your name will be on it). Put your payment in the envelope and leave it on the table. Be sure to let us know if you need change. When you're all done, go find a comfortable chair and relax until your acupuncturist arrives to do a short intake.
Your first visit:
This is the opportunity for your acupuncturist to meet you and discuss your health. We'll do an entire health history and talk about your current condition. The intake is rather extensive as it covers every aspect of your physical, mental and emotional well being. You'll be asked to stick out your tongue and we'll check your pulses at both wrists as it is traditionally done in Asia. Afterwards, I'll discuss my findings with you and we'll work out a treatment plan. There is usually time for a short acupuncture treatment too. The initial visit can last anywhere between 60 to 90 minutes.
On your return visits:
Once you have made it into the community room, found your red envelope and paid, choose any available recliner and have a seat. Go ahead and roll up your pant and shirt sleeves if necessary. Your acupuncturist will greet you and discreetly ask about your health and the progress of your condition. Next we'll check your pulse and look at your tongue, after which the treatment will begin. At South Park Community Acupuncture we use only sterile, disposable needles that are used once and thrown away. Once all the points are in, we'll make sure you are comfortable and warm enough before we leave you to rest and let the needles do their job. Your whole session will last about an hour.
Sensations:
At the needle site you may feel a dull ache, a warm tingling sensation, or electrical impulses that travel up and down the body. This means that the point is being activated and is not only normal, but expected. Most sensations will subside quickly and you may even forget that the needles are there! Pain, on the other hand, is NOT part of the therapeutic response. If you feel a sharp or poking sensation let us know. It's common during insertion to feel a very slight prick that subsides quickly, but occasionally the needle will enter a hair follicle. This may feel like a pinch or a mosquito bite. In this rare case, the needle will be removed, and we'll try that point again later in the treatment. Your comfort is important to us, so please communicate what is going on.
Possible reactions:
After your acupuncturist removes the needles, take your time getting up and composing yourself to re-enter the outside world. Some people feel rejuvenated and energized, others report a 'spacey, blissed out feeling' after acupuncture. It's not uncommon to feel tired after the treatment so plan your day accordingly. Bruising at the needle site happens every once in a while and occasionally a point may ache a little following the treatment. These are all normal reactions, but take note of how you respond to acupuncture and give your acupuncturist feedback on any positive or adverse reactions.
Be sure to wear loose, comfortable clothes that can be pulled up to allow access to the lower leg and forearm. It's also a good idea to have something to eat a few hours before your treatment. Also, part of the diagnosis involves looking at your tongue and complexion, so if you brush your tongue or wear make-up, try to skip it the day of your treatment to allow a more realistic assessment. Try to arrive a few minutes early to relax and check in.
When you arrive:
Take a deep breath and relax. Visit the restroom if you need to. Remove your shoes at the bench in the hallway and come on in. Once you enter the community space, you'll find the check-in table with your little red payment envelope (your name will be on it). Put your payment in the envelope and leave it on the table. Be sure to let us know if you need change. When you're all done, go find a comfortable chair and relax until your acupuncturist arrives to do a short intake.
Your first visit:
This is the opportunity for your acupuncturist to meet you and discuss your health. We'll do an entire health history and talk about your current condition. The intake is rather extensive as it covers every aspect of your physical, mental and emotional well being. You'll be asked to stick out your tongue and we'll check your pulses at both wrists as it is traditionally done in Asia. Afterwards, I'll discuss my findings with you and we'll work out a treatment plan. There is usually time for a short acupuncture treatment too. The initial visit can last anywhere between 60 to 90 minutes.
On your return visits:
Once you have made it into the community room, found your red envelope and paid, choose any available recliner and have a seat. Go ahead and roll up your pant and shirt sleeves if necessary. Your acupuncturist will greet you and discreetly ask about your health and the progress of your condition. Next we'll check your pulse and look at your tongue, after which the treatment will begin. At South Park Community Acupuncture we use only sterile, disposable needles that are used once and thrown away. Once all the points are in, we'll make sure you are comfortable and warm enough before we leave you to rest and let the needles do their job. Your whole session will last about an hour.
Sensations:
At the needle site you may feel a dull ache, a warm tingling sensation, or electrical impulses that travel up and down the body. This means that the point is being activated and is not only normal, but expected. Most sensations will subside quickly and you may even forget that the needles are there! Pain, on the other hand, is NOT part of the therapeutic response. If you feel a sharp or poking sensation let us know. It's common during insertion to feel a very slight prick that subsides quickly, but occasionally the needle will enter a hair follicle. This may feel like a pinch or a mosquito bite. In this rare case, the needle will be removed, and we'll try that point again later in the treatment. Your comfort is important to us, so please communicate what is going on.
Possible reactions:
After your acupuncturist removes the needles, take your time getting up and composing yourself to re-enter the outside world. Some people feel rejuvenated and energized, others report a 'spacey, blissed out feeling' after acupuncture. It's not uncommon to feel tired after the treatment so plan your day accordingly. Bruising at the needle site happens every once in a while and occasionally a point may ache a little following the treatment. These are all normal reactions, but take note of how you respond to acupuncture and give your acupuncturist feedback on any positive or adverse reactions.
"It was great to find Miles Thomas and Community Acupuncture. I can afford to be treated now in a way that heals my whole body." -Veronica Moore