Does it hurt?
People experience acupuncture differently the majority of people do not find acupuncture painful, as the needles are very thin. Many describe it as relaxing and some people may even fall asleep during treatment. Most patients feel the initial insertion described as a slight pinch similar to a mosquito bite without the itch. After the needles are inserted you may feel various sensations ranging from: nothing at all, a vague numbness, heaviness, dull ache, or slight tingling.

What kinds of needles are used?
We always use sterilized, one-use disposable, surgical-grade stainless steel needles. These needles come in a pre-sterilized sealed package and are discarded after every use.

How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments varies from person to person. Acute problems usually respond quickly with treatment and can often be resolved in a single session. With chronic conditions, significant results can be seen within 4-6 treatments. The total number of treatments depends on:
Severity of a person’s condition
How long the condition has existed
The overall health, energy & motivation of the patient

How long is an acupuncture visit?
In order to complete a health history and receive a treatment, typically the first visit is the longest and can last from 1-1.5 hours. Follow-up visits are shorter, usually 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the needs of the patient. After a complete diagnosis has been taken, other therapies, such as moxibustion, acupressure/massage and complimentary exercises may be incorporated with the acupuncture treatment.

What problems can be treated using Acupuncture/TCM?
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is commonly used for fertility, preventing disease, strengthening the immune system, controlling pain, alleviating anxiety and depression, reducing stress, regulating endocrine and digestive function, optimizing women’s health and treating childhood illness. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions regarding treatment.

Can I get acupuncture while I am pregnant?
Absolutely, prenatal acupuncture is a great drug-free way to provide relief from many of the discomforts associated with pregnancy, such as nausea, severe vomiting, fatigue, anxiety, stress, insomnia, bleeding, heartburn, hemorrhoids, pain (back, joint, and pelvic girdle), edema/swelling, sciatica, elevated blood pressure, urinary incontinence, headaches/migraines, constipation, and itching. Acupuncture is an excellent way to prepare the mother and baby for labour and can be used to correct breach position (up to 34 weeks).

Are there side effects to acupuncture?
Acupuncture is safe and effective, free from adverse or addictive side effects. Quite often, a sense of relaxation and calm occurs during and after treatments. While undergoing therapy for one ailment, other problems may resolve concurrently. This is a common side benefit that again demonstrates the value of balancing the quality and quantity of “vital energy” within the entire person.

Are there side effects to using Chinese herbal medicine?
Herbal formulas are carefully designed to meet your specific needs and realign your individual imbalances. Side effects from the herbal remedies are rare as each body part receives a particular and desired effect through gentle influences on the body systems. The most common side effect from using herbal therapy is stomach upset, which is easily remedied by taking the herbal formula with meals or reducing the dosage for a short period of time until the body has had time to adapt to the formula.

How will I feel after a treatment?
Many people describe the feeling as being deeply relaxed. Although the majority of people feel relaxed and a bit sleepy after a treatment, some people may feel an energy surge. Similar to a course of exercise, some people experience an achy feeling for up to 24 hours after the first acupuncture session.. It is important to note that everyone may not experience this feeling, but it is completely normal and nothing to be concerned about.