NEW PATIENTS

What will my first session be like?

During your first appointment, we will of course discuss your main concern that made you make an appointment in the first place, discuss your health history in great detail, and develop your specific treatment plan. The style of acupuncture practiced at Vivir takes into consideration past surgeries, as they disrupt the flow of the acupuncture channels used to treat you, any major illnesses, anything that has been passed on genetically, etc. Besides acute injuries, often it is the factors in the health history that reveal the “root” of the disharmony.

During your physical exam there will be three aspects that will likely be new to you if you have never had acupuncture before:

• Pulse Diagnosis: On each wrist there are three pulse positions that your practitioner will feel to assess what is going on systemically and also to determine the state of your internal organs.

• Tongue Observation: Your practitioner will ask you to gently stick out your tongue so that they can observe its appearance. This aspect has the same purpose as the pulse diagnosis. Together with the pulse, these tools allow the practitioner confirm the patient’s current state of health.

• Abdominal Palpation: Your practitioner will press on various spots on your stomach looking for locations that are uncomfortable, “weird feeling”, tight, possibly a little painful, etc. The spots that are reactive are diagnostic and correspond to various disharmonies. After identifying reactive locations, points on the body will be pressed to determine if they relieve the feeling on the stomach to not only establish what points are appropriate to treat, but it also provides as a feedback system that often reveals the “root” of the current problem. This method of diagnosis also allows for the prevention of future disharmonies by providing a window to where the body is out of balance and correcting it before it physically manifests! This is preventative medicine at its best!

The first appointment is the longest one, as we have a lot to discuss. Depending on the extent of your health history and how many reactive locations on your abdomen there are, the intake and physical examination can last anywhere from 45-60 minutes. After the needles are inserted you will rest with them in for 20-30 minutes. This means your appointment can be anywhere from roughly 65 to 90 minutes, so please plan accordingly.

At your follow-up appointments we will check in on how you are feeling, answer any questions that you might have, and discuss any concerns you may have about your individual treatment strategy (i.e. diet, lifestyle, herbal medicine, etc.). These appointments are typically 60 minutes.

After your treatment patients generally feel more relaxed. Occasionally, patients may experience side effects such as slight dizziness, light headedness, sleepiness or bruising. Staying hydrated after your treatment will usually cause these side effects to go away. If you experience any of these feelings for more than a short period of time, please do not hesitate to contact us!

How many treatments will I need?

The answer to this question will vary from patient to patient. If you are suffering from an acute situation, you may only need a few treatments to find the relief you are looking for. If you have a chronic condition, you may need several months of weekly treatments to reach your health goals.

Acupuncture treatments build on each other. You can view treatments like this:

Your acupuncturist works on the “channels” in your body. The channels can be compared to streams. If a stream gets plugged up with leaves and other debris the stream will not flow smoothly. If you take one swipe at the debris, the water will flow smoother. If you take 4 or 5 swipes, the stream will really be moving then!

Your channels are the “streams” of your body. Depending on how “clogged” your streams are, determines how many treatments your practitioner will recommend for you.

The more diligent you are about following your treatment strategy developed by your practitioner, the quicker you will see results, and will require fewer treatments. After patients reach their health goals, they often come back  in once a month or so to maintain the progress that they have made.

How can I prepare?

• Please email your preliminary paperwork to us before your appointment so that the practitioner can estimate how long your appointment may last, and how to best prepare for your session. This is especially important with lengthly health histories.

• Please bring a list of your current medications and supplements. Include the brand and the dosage.

• Please bring in any copies of your most recent lab work or any other relevant medical reports.

• Do not be too full or too hungry during your visit.

• Please do not brush your tongue for 24 hours before your treatment for an accurate tongue diagnosis

• Please avoid dark sugary snacks and drinks before your appointment, as they alter the appearance of your tongue

• If possible avoid caffeine and any other stimulating substances before your treatment for an accurate pulse reading

• Wear loose, comfortable clothing

• If you are needing special accommodations please let us know so that we can make your appointment as comfortable and convenient as possible.