Preparing for Your First Acupuncture Visit
While your experience may differ depending on your acupuncturist, here are some common tips to know when visiting an acupuncture clinic for the first time.
1. Acupuncture is Holistic
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine therapy that has been around since 5,000 years ago. It takes a holistic approach towards your health, meaning it focuses on individuals as a whole not only considering their symptoms. Acupuncture takes into account the root of your health concerns and prepares a customized treatment plan that embodies factors like your emotional and mental state as well as your lifestyle.
2. Prepare for Thorough Assessment, Including Tongue Diagnosis
In order to understand your health concerns, your acupuncturist will perform an assessment and go through a series of questions to better figure out about the root of your health issues. During acupuncture therapy at Zahra Health & Wellness, the acupuncturist will check your pulse and tongue, perform a physical exam and ask questions about your eating habits, exercise routine, sleep, bowel habits, family history of diseases, mental states and anything that offers insight into your health.
3. Acupuncture Therapy is Customized
After collecting enough information about your health, the acupuncturist will discuss the specific diagnosis and treatment plan with you. He or she should explain about the specific treatment options that would work best for you, including acupuncture needles, cupping, moxibustion, electrical stimulation and Chinese herbs.
4. Needles are Disposable and Single-Use Only
The needles your acupuncturist uses on you are stainless steel, disposable needles that have not been used on any other patients before. Since they are single-use only, there is no risk of contracting a disease from your acupuncture treatment.
5. Show Up Early to Your Appointment
Initial visits generally last from 30 minutes to 60 minutes.
At Zahra Health & Wellness, it is important for you to show up 10 minutes earlier than your appointment time and fill out the patient intake form, which includes your personal health information. There is also an “Informed Consent Form” that you need to sign in order to receive the treatment. This form includes a brief explanation of acupuncture and how it works. In addition, it includes other modalities that could be used along with the acupuncture needles.
6. Don’t Go On an Empty Stomach
Make sure that you eat something one hour before you come for a treatment; avoid large meals before the visit. Receiving acupuncture on an empty stomach can increase the chance of experiencing lightheadedness and dizziness following the treatment. At Zahra Health & Wellness, Dr. Zahra always make sure that her patients have had something to eat before the treatment; otherwise, she will provide a light snack.
7. Dress Comfortably
It is better for you to wear loose, and comfortable clothes in order to make easier for your acupuncturist to do the treatment.
8. Avoid Alcohol, Drugs and Overexertion After Treatment
For at least six hours after receiving your acupuncture treatment, avoid overexertion, drugs or alcohol. It is important for you to stay hydrated after acupuncture since it has detoxifying effects. Alcohol causes dehydration; therefore, it is best to avoid it for a few hours.
9. Refrain from Showering Right After Treatment
Refrain from taking a shower for one hour following an acupuncture treatment.
10. One Treatment Is Often Not Enough
Acupuncture treatment has a cumulative effect. Therefore, keep all of your appointments to achieve the best benefits from them. In addition, follow your acupuncturist treatment plan and instructions between visits.
Prepare your questions and concerns beforehand so you can discuss them with your acupuncturist.
Our Acupuncture Clinic
If you would like to learn more, Zahra will be happy to assist you and answer any questions you may have. Book a consultation now to learn whether this acupuncture treatment is suitable for you.
Our Downtown Vancouver acupuncture clinic is conveniently located and our acupuncture treatments are covered by extended health benefits.
