A few more things you may want to know about Acupuncture
1) I will spend a lot of time talking to you and asking many questions at your first consultation; a first visit, including consultation and treatment will take from 45 minutes to one and half hour.
2) You will not be turned into a pin cushion (our imagination can get us really carried away); anything between 2 to 10 needles in one acupuncture session is pretty much the norm; some specific conditions (often musculo-squelettal) or techniques may require more needle than a standard session
3) When I start inserting the acupuncture needles, you will feel a slight prickling sensation, possibly some tingling or numbness, just a mild sensation. If you experience some pain, this is wrong and you must say so immediately, it is possible that the needle may be at the wrong angle, or is causing a muscle spasm.
4) You may get acupuncture needles in acupuncture points of your hands, arms, feet and legs, (these sometime cause a stronger sensation) or on your back or front (needles in fleshy parts of the body cause less sensation)
5) Once the needles are in place, they are often left in situ for a few minutes, and you may find yourself becoming much more relaxed, even slightly sleepy or drowsy)
6) During your session, I may use other techniques such as cupping, moxibustion or electro-acupuncture as well as ear acupuncture; these are used as a support to acupuncture for specific conditions such as pain, stiffness, circulation problems
7) The response at the end of a session may vary and is difficult to anticipate; some people will feel very relaxed, even drowsy, while other may feel elated and energized; sometime there will be no obvious immediate response, and the improvement will be felt after a few hours or the next day
8) Before an acupuncture treatment you do not have to do anything in particular, but it is best to avoid a heavy meal, too strenuous exercise or drinking alcohol
9) After an acupuncture treatment, as before it, avoid a heavy meal, too strenuous exercise or drinking alcohol
10) most of the time, after an acupuncture treatment you will start feeling better; occasionally, you may find a mild aggravation of your symptoms; this is usually only temporary, but in such circumstance, call me and get some advice
