It is not unusual to feel a little anxious about coming for your first acupuncture treatment. You might be wondering if the acupuncture needles are going to hurt, or you may be worried about what clothes you may have to take off during treatment.
I sometimes forget that it can be a big step to come for acupuncture treatment the first time. Where are the needles likely to go? Will I feel anything? Will it be painful? If you have any concerns about coming for acupuncture, any fears, then please contact me. I am happy to help.
The first visit is always the most comprehensive, and for this reason, it usually takes about an hour, or a little bit longer. During this time I gather your case history and do an acupuncture treatment. If you are particularly anxious about acupuncture then I will start with a minimal treatment and get you used to some of the sensations of acupuncture. It is more important to build up a good trustful relationship that will inspire confidence in your future acupuncture treatments. Most acupuncture points are between the elbows & hands, and the knees & feet, so wear some loose clothing than can be easily rolled up. I have been in full-time acupuncture practice since 1998, and I have also been on the receiving end of a lot of acupuncture, so I know what it is like!
The type of acupuncture I practice is a blend of traditional Chinese acupuncture and what is sometimes termed ‘medical acupuncture’. To give an example, if you come in with a shoulder problem, I am less likely to be looking at the traditional Chinese meridians, I will be more focused on which muscles are not functioning correctly. However, I often find that after identifying the problematic muscles, I then look at the traversing meridians and add some extra points based on my knowledge of Chinese medicine. Combining these two systems usually gives better results.
If you have any questions before coming for acupuncture treatment, then please contact me. You are also welcome to pop into the clinic (just phone me beforehand to book a 10-15 min chat). The section on ‘FAQ’ is also worth looking at.
I look forward to meeting you.
Julian
