First, the practitioner will have you, the patient, fill out an intake form that includes your current and past medical history and you will also need to sign a consent form, allowing the acupuncturist to begin the consultation and treatment. You will be asked a range of questions regarding your main health concern and relevant symptoms as well as an assortment of other health related questions. The practitioner will feel the pulses on both of your wrists and potentially look at your tongue (the tongue check may be skipped due to masks and COVID, but typically the tongue is ALWAYS checked). The practitioner will conduct an appropriate physical examination based on your concerns and palpate certain areas, regions, and points on the body. With all this information, the acupuncturist will then establish a diagnosis for treatment based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This diagnosis is very specific to you and relates to your overall health and specific health condition(s). After the diagnosis has been made, the acupuncturist will choose acupuncture points according to the diagnosis and based on the individual’s needs. The patient usually lies in a comfortable position, either on the stomach, on the back, or side. Occasionally the patient may sit in a chair. The acupuncture needles are then inserted into specific acupuncture points. Upon needling, one may feel absolutely nothing, to a small pinch, or discomfort similar to a mosquito bite. The needle can be manipulated to create sensations such as dullness, achiness, heaviness, numbness, and/ or tingling. Needles stay inserted for ten minutes to an hour, depending on the condition or conditions being treated. The needles are removed and thrown away in a special container called a Sharps container. Many acupuncturists also include modalities such as tui na (a form of manual bodywork), cupping, and moxibustion, to a session. It is advised to hydrate well after an acupuncture session to help improve circulation and help flush out toxins. After an acupuncture treatment, some patients feel energized; some feel deeply relaxed; and some people may feel a bit sleepy- it can all depend on what points are used and the overall goal of a session.
