Initial Assessment

The first treatment is 90 minutes, allowing adequate time to discuss your chief complaint and health history plus receive a treatment. Chinese medicine considers the whole person, not just one isolated symptom. Therefore, all facets of health including sleep, emotion, nutrition and the organ systems are explored in the first visit. When put together, the myriad of signs and symptoms you are experiencing reveal patterns of disharmony and shed light on paths to improved health.

A treatment plan will be decided on in the first visit, with clear goals for progress. Your treatment plan will describe the imbalance we will be working with, a general time life for treatment, and what kinds of treatment will be involved (ex. acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, moxibustion). Dietary prescriptions, herbal prescriptions, lifestyle recommendations, and exercise or stretching guidelines may be given as part of the treatment plan. Often times the diet, exercise and lifestyle shifts are the most important facet of the treatment plan and path to optimal health.

Treatment

Follow up visits are generally 60 minutes and begin with a brief check in on symptoms and signs. Acupuncture needles are retained for 20-40 minutes depending on the nature of the issue. Most people experience a feeling of relaxation during the treatment and even fall asleep. Moxibustion and manual therapies including cupping, gua sha, massage or stretching are often used within a treatment.

After Treatment

  • Relief of pain or discomfort is often experienced after the first visit and effects build with subsequent treatments until the problem is resolved.

  • Drink water after massage or acupuncture to help hydrate the tissues and facilitate cellular detox.

  • Soreness after manual therapy may occur for up to 48 hrs.

Methods to Aid Healing following Manual Therapy

  • Warm Epsom salt bath using 1-2 cups of EPSOM SALT x 20 minutes.

  • Calcium-Magnesium supplement provides a mild muscle relaxing effect and helps with muscle soreness

  • Contrast hydrotherapy – alternating hot and cold application to targeted areas increases local circulation and speeds tissue repair. 3 minutes of heat application followed by 1 minutes of cold. Repeat 3 -5 times ending with cold.

Course of Treatment

The number of treatments will vary from person to person. The first visit we’ll design a treatment plan detailing the course for your specific condition. Acute injuries or more recent issues take fewer visits and benefit from treatment 2-3x/week in a 2 week period. More sub-acute or chronic challenges a require longer courses of treatment to make lasting change in the body. Treatment plans are created based on each person’s unique presentation and situation. Benefits are often felt immediately and should be evident within 3 visits.

Preparing for your visit

  • Please bring a current list of your medications, vitamins and supplements.

  • Bring your insurance card and an ID.

  • It is helpful to wear shorts or loose fitting pants or a sheet and blanket is used for draping.

  • It is OK to eat a little before an acupuncture treatment.

  • Intake forms are available on form page for you to print and complete ahead of time. You may email them to nichole@goodlifeacu.com or bring the completed forms to your first visit. If you’re not able to complete the forms beforehand, no worries they will be available for you in office.