How long does the first visit take?      

The first visit will last 1 hour total. It will include a comprehensive intake of your past and current medical history. You will then receive a treatment that will last between 30-40 minutes.

What are the needles like?

Acupuncture needles and hypodermic needles are completely different. Acupuncture needles are solid and about the size of a strand of hair. They are pre-sterilized, individually packaged, disposable needles. The needles are only used one time to insure there is no chance of contamination or transmission of diseases.

Does it hurt?

The needles are usually painless when inserted. You could feel a small prick, similar to a mosquito bite. Any discomfort that is experienced quickly dissipates.  Once the needles are in place you may experience a dull ache, heaviness or tingling sensation that is completely normal. That is the arrival of qi at the points where the needles have been inserted.  If at any time one is uncomfortable, please let Julianne know so she can fix that.

What are acupuncture points?

Acupuncture points are located throughout the entire body along energy meridians.  They promote the body to heal itself.  There are 12 main meridians and 8 extra meridians which have specific functions and treat specific conditions.

Are there side effects?

One of the great things about Traditional Chinese Medicine is the absence of serious side effects. Very rarely small bruising can form where the needle was inserted. There are many positive side effects of receiving acupuncture. Including better sleep, feeling more relaxed, and an over sense of wellbeing.

How often should I schedule visits? 

Traditional Chinese Medicine is such an individualize form of medicine each case will be different. It will differ from patient to patient and condition to condition for normal health and restored balance to be achieved. During your initial visit we will be able to come up with a treatment plan for you. In general, most patients will feel a shift in their condition after 4 to 6 treatments.

How should I prepare for my appointment?

Please do not come to your appointment on an empty stomach. Please wear loose clothing.

What Can I Expect After A Treatment?

Some patients feel relief of symptoms after a single treatment, while for others it may take longer. Oftentimes, your symptom relief will recur within a few days, but with continued treatment the effects will last longer. The goal is to get rid of your symptoms altogether.

What are Cupping, Guasha, Moxibustion, and Auricular Acupuncture?

Cupping, Guasha, Moxibustion, and Auricular acupuncture are all modalities that are a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Cupping relieves sore, stiff, and injuried muscles and joints by aiding circulation. Cupping is also used for treating colds, flu, asthma, menstrual issues, and digestive complaints. The cup pulls on the skin and underlying tissue, thereby creating space between the skin, fascial, and muscular layer which helps increase healing. Cupping is not painful, but can leave marks that look like a hickey or bruise that go away within a few days.

Guasha or coining relieves sore and stiff muscles and joints. It is generally used on areas that cups can’t reach. It involves applying a topical to the skin to lubricate the skin and using a tool to scrape the area. You will have a red, sandy looking area after that will last for a few days. There can be some discomfort during the scraping, but the pain-relieving benefits out weight the temporary pain.

Moxibustion is a using a Chinese herb called Moxa (Artemisia argyi), commonly known as Mugwort. For external use Moxa is used directly on the skin, on the tops of needles or rolled into a cigar-shaped herbal stick. Moxa is used to create deep, penetrating heat into the body with helps create a smooth flow of qi and blood. It can be used for many different conditions including pain. A landmark study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1998 found that up to 75% of women suffering from breech presentations before childbirth had fetuses that rotated to the normal position after receiving moxibustion at an acupuncture point on the Bladder meridian. Other studies have shown that moxibustion increases the movement of the fetus in pregnant women, and may reduce the symptoms of menstrual cramps when used in conjunction with traditional acupuncture.

Auricular acupuncture is a widely used microsystem within Chinese Medicine. A microsystems is the utilization of one area of the body, in this case the ears, to treat the entire body. Auricular acupuncture is especially effective at treating mental-emotional issues, pain, and are used to aid the detox process and promote overall wellbeing.