What to Expect During an Acupuncture Visit
What clients say ...
you I've never had
anything like this. She
deals with you holistically.
She has helped me a lot."
-- Halina St. James
Your first acupuncture visit may take up to an hour but subsequent visits will be about 30 minutes. The cost is $80 + tax ($55 + tax for students) per visit. Acupuncture is not currently covered by MSI but many health insurance plans (purchased privately or through your employer) cover some or all of the cost. Contact your health insurance provider to see if you're covered.
How to Prepare
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to your appointment.
About the Examination
The examination begins with a series of questions regarding your symptoms, the treatments you've received, your medical history, diet, digestive system, sleeping patterns and emotional state. You will also be asked about your medications (if any) as these may affect your response to the acupuncture treatment.
Your pulses will be taken on both wrists. The quality, rhythm and strength of your pulses will indicate how the energies are flowing in your body. Next, the structure, colour and coating of your tongue will be examined to assess your physical health.
By examing your pulses and tongue I will be able to feel the energy of 12 different organs in your body and notice the quality and balance between them. This information will enable me to determine the likely causes of your problems and select the most appropriate treatment for you.
About the Treatment
There are about 500 acupuncture points on the body of which about 100 are commonly used. Stimulating specific points affects the energetic functioning of certain organs in the body. These acupuncture points won't necessarily be close to the parts of the body where you feel your symptoms. For example, if you suffer from headaches, needles may be inserted in your hand or foot.
During the treatment, you will lie down on a massage table and when you're comfortable I will place the needles on the acupuncture points that relate to your specific condition. The acupuncture needles I use are very thin, sterile and made of stainless steel. The needles will be left in place anywhere between 1 or 2 seconds to 20 minutes. Moxa, a smouldering herb, may be used to warm the acupuncture points and encourage your body's energy to flow smoothly.
How You'll Feel During the Treatment
Most people feel little or no pain when receiving acupuncture treatment. If you feel any pain at all, it will be minimal; the sensation is often described as tingling or a dull ache. Patients commonly experience a heaviness in the limbs or a pleasant feeling of relaxation. I will ensure that you remain comfortable and at peace throughout the treatment.
How You'll Feel After the Treatment
When the treatment ends, you may feel rather relaxed and calm. If the treatment has been particularly strong you could feel quite tired or drowsy for a few hours and you should take this into account if you are planning to drive. Occasionally there may be a short-term flair-up of your symptoms as your Qi clears and resettles itself.
Often, other symptoms will disappear before your main symptom. For example, you may feel an increased sense of well-being, sleep better, have more energy or experience fewer sugar cravings. However, if your problem is long-standing or emerged as a result of adrenal exhaustion, you may feel more tired temporarily before a different type of energy manifests.
Follow-up Treatments
Each person is unique and therefore the number of treatments depends on the individual. Some change is usually felt after 5 treatments. Sometimes the effects of treatment are dramatic and only 1 or 2 treatments are required. Other patients experience more subtle effects and may need treatment over several months. Once your main problem has cleared up, I recommend a treatment every 4 to 8 weeks depending on your general health.
Payment Methods
Payment can be made in cash or by cheque but must be made in full immediately following your appointment. Patients covered by insurance can submit their receipt(s) to their insurance provider for reimbursement.
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Find out more about Louise Corello.
Contact Louise to make an appointment or ask a question.