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FAQ'S ABOUT ACUPUNCTURE

What does acupuncture feel like?

How often will I need treatment?

What will happen on my first visit?

Should my doctor know?

What if I am already seeing another practitioner?

WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON MY FIRST VISIT?

Your first consultation will be longer than subsequent sessions. The acupuncturist needs to assess your general state of health in order to identify the underlying pattern of disharmony. You will be asked about your current symptoms and what treatment you have received so far, your medical history and that of your close family, your diet, digestive system, sleeping patterns and emotional state. To discover how the energies are flowing in your body, the acupuncturist will feel your pulses on both wrists, noting their quality, rhythm and strength. The structure, color and coating of your tongue also give a good guide to your physical health. Once enough information has been gathered to determine the likely causes of your problems, the practitioner can select the most appropriate treatment.

There are around 500 recognized acupuncture points on the body, of which about 100 are most commonly used. Stimulation of specific areas affects the functioning of certain organs in the body. However, those areas may not be close to the part of the body where the problem is experienced. For example, although you may suffer from headaches, needles may be inserted in your foot or hand. The acupuncturist may supplement the needle treatment with moxa, a smoldering herb used to warm acupuncture points to encourage the body’s Qi to flow smoothly.