Acupuncture Services & Appointment Options
New Patients: First Acupuncture Appointment FAQs
- Plan for your first appointment to last about 90 minutes.
- Please arrive at least 10 minutes before your appointment for check-in and to fill out our clinical forms.
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes (athletic wear or sweats) that can adjust to reveal your knee, abdomen, or back. Layers are welcome. If you forget, disposable gowns are available.
- Bring any recent lab or medical reports related to your chief complaint and the primary reason for scheduling.
- Bring a current, comprehensive list of medications and supplements you’re taking.
- Eat a small snack before your appointment. We don’t recommend acupuncture on an empty stomach.
Please bring all your questions to your appointment! An open dialogue is essential.
All Initial Acupuncture Appointments Include:
- Time to learn your history and health concerns
- Set treatment goals and expectations
- Conduct a short, non-invasive physical exam
- Take your pulse
- Inspect your tongue
- Palpate your abdomen
- Test for specific complaints and conditions
What Will My First Acupuncture Appointment Be Like?
Your session begins by getting comfortable lying on the table. Acupuncture needles are as thin as a strand of human hair, and most patients report little to no pain. However, some soreness, bruising, and possibly a slight “pinch” are common side effects for some people. So we’ll take it slow, checking in as we go to make sure you’re comfortable.
Now it’s time to relax. This rest period is when healing begins as the body responds to stimulation. You might even fall asleep! A “needle nap” happens as acupuncture stimulates the body’s parasympathetic system, or the “rest and relax” button of our body. Acupuncture helps the brain, and the body reset and rebalance.
The next step is a care plan designed to reach your healthcare goals. We suggest that patients commit to a minimum of three treatments as more than one visit is needed to evaluate their body’s response accurately. We’ll monitor your results during these visits and change the treatment plan depending on your healing response.
Acupuncture Appointment Options
Your first step might be a complimentary 30-minute phone consultation with one of our licensed acupuncturists. Then, you can ask questions, and we’ll help you determine if acupuncture is right for specific healthcare goals.
Initial patient visits include a health intake, exam, and treatment. Extra time is added to the first visit so that we can gain a thorough understanding of your current health state and both your short- and long-term healthcare goals. It also gives us the opportunity to answer any questions you may have about acupuncture, East Asian medicine, or our integrative care model.
Follow-up treatment sessions include a short health intake to make sure we are progressing towards your health goals along with a full treatment.
Your initial Fertility Support appointment includes a comprehensive health intake and discussion about your unique fertility journey, an acupuncture treatment, and the creation of a Fertility Support Plan that is unique to you and your fertility needs. Your Fertility Support Plan will cover recommendations for acupuncture, functional nutrition support, medical herbal therapy, and lifestyle modifications. We tailor our plans to work with any assisted reproductive calendars and treatment schedules so you are maintaining optimal health during your course of care. This appointment is appropriate if you are seeking support for natural fertility, assisted reproduction such as IUI or IVF, or if you have an underlying reproductive issue that is impacting your fertility such as fibroids, endometriosis, PCOS, etc.
Your initial Fertility Support appointment includes a comprehensive health intake and discussion about your specific situation and reproductive health goals. Male fertility support focuses on stress management, anxiety, and optimal sperm health. Optimal sperm health includes addressing issues such as the number of sperm, shape, and motility. Male fertility support also addresses prostate issues and any erectile concerns. We create a custom Male Fertility Support Plan that discusses recommendations for acupuncture, functional nutrition support, medical herbal therapy, and lifestyle modifications.
Labor Support Treatments include a short health intake along with a full treatment. This appointment is to support you in your labor plan by preparing the body for labor and encouraging labor to start once your due date has come. Labor support treatments can begin around week 36 and are often scheduled weekly leading up to your due date, as needed.
Follow-up treatment sessions include a short health intake to make sure we are progressing towards your health goals along with a full treatment.
Treatments for Breech Baby include a brief health history intake as well as a full treatment. These treatments are designed specifically to help your body support the baby turning into a proper head-down position for labor preparation. Breech baby support is generally recommended as a daily or every-other-day treatment, depending on your due date.
Treatments for Breech Baby include a brief health history intake as well as a full treatment. These treatments are designed specifically to help your body support the baby turning into a proper head-down position for labor preparation. Breech baby support is generally recommended as a daily or every-other-day treatment, depending on your due date.
Book Breech Baby Support Follow Up.
Massage and Cupping Treatments
Choose between Relaxation or Deep Tissue massage techniques at the time of your appointment.
Relaxation massage will help calm the mind and soothe the body. This massage consists of gentle to medium pressure to help promote relaxation and calm the whole body. Relaxation massage is the best choice for stress relief.
Deep Tissue massage is a more intense, targeted form of massage that aims to release the body’s myofascial (connective tissue) restrictions. This type of massage relieves chronic tension and increases the range of motion. Deep tissue massage is best when deep, targeted, and more intense bodywork is needed.
Cupping, hot stones, and essential oils can be added to your experience at no additional cost.
Gratuity is not accepted; however, our massage therapists welcome reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations.
Choose between Relaxation or Deep Tissue massage techniques at the time of your appointment.
Relaxation massage will help calm the mind and soothe the body. This massage consists of gentle to medium pressure to help promote relaxation and calm the whole body. Relaxation massage is the best choice for stress relief.
Deep Tissue massage is a more intense, targeted form of massage that aims to release the body’s myofascial (connective tissue) restrictions. This type of massage relieves chronic tension and increases the range of motion. Deep tissue massage is best when deep, targeted, and more intense bodywork is needed.
Cupping, hot stones, and essential oils can be added to your experience at no additional cost.
Gratuity is not accepted; however, our massage therapists welcome reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations.
Maya Abdominal massage therapy is a deeply relaxing form of massage that focuses on the low back, pelvis, and abdomen. It is non-invasive and focuses on increasing blood circulation and organ position while breaking up adhesions, scar tissue, and stagnation in the lower pelvic area. Most often used for women’s health issues, this form of therapy can be used by men or women for almost any pelvic related issues.
Maya Abdominal massage therapy is a deeply relaxing form of massage that focuses on the low back, pelvis, and abdomen. It is non-invasive and focuses on increasing blood circulation and organ position while breaking up adhesions, scar tissue, and stagnation in the lower pelvic area. Most often used for women’s health issues, this form of therapy can be used by men or women for almost any pelvic related issues.
Herbal Medicine Appointments
Initial herbal consultations include a full health intake, herb-drug interaction check, and a custom herbal recommendation for your specific ailment. The cost of your herbal formula is not included.
Follow-up conversation to discuss your progression and make any modifications to your prescription, as needed.
Functional Medicine Appointments
Initial functional medicine consultations include a full health intake and identification of health goals along with the creation of a custom care plan based on your specific health goals. Functional nutrition recommendations, supplements, herbal therapies, acupuncture, and lifestyle changes will all be incorporated into your care plan.
Follow-up conversation to discuss your progression and make any modifications to your plan, as needed. Does not include recommended therapies, supplements, or herbs.
CranioSacral Therapy (CST) Appointments
A CranioSacral Therapy treatment is similar to getting a massage, but the patient will remain fully clothed. The patient will lie on the table and the practitioner will use gentle pressure techniques to encourage fascial release throughout the body.
This includes a health history intake to identify problem areas and then a full CST treatment.
