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What to expect for your first visit?
During your first acupuncture visit, you’ll begin with a detailed consultation and review of your health history, discuss your main concerns, and ask questions about your symptoms, lifestyle, and overall well-being. This may be followed by a physical assessment, which can include pulse and tongue diagnosis, as well as orthopedic testing if appropriate. Once the assessment is complete, you’ll receive a personalized acupuncture treatment. Most people find the experience relaxing. The session typically lasts 60 to 90 minutes, and a treatment plan may be discussed based on your individual needs. .
How to Prepare for Your Acupuncture Treatment
Preparing for your acupuncture session can help you feel more comfortable and support the effectiveness of your treatment.
It’s best to eat a light meal or snack about one to two hours beforehand—coming in on an empty stomach or feeling overly full may affect how you feel during the session.
Staying well-hydrated before and after your treatment also supports your body’s natural healing response.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows easy access to areas like the arms, legs, and back; gowns or appropriate draping will be provided if needed.
Try to avoid caffeine and intense physical activity just before your appointment, and if possible, allow yourself some time to rest or take it easy afterward.
These small steps can make a big difference in how your body responds to acupuncture.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Does acupuncture hurt?
A common question many first-time patients ask is whether acupuncture hurts. The good news is that acupuncture needles are extremely thin—about the width of a human hair—and are nothing like the needles used for injections or blood draws. Most people experience little to no pain during insertion. You may feel a brief, mild sensation such as a light pinch, a dull ache, or a tingling or warm sensation, all of which are normal and often indicate that the body is responding to the treatment. In fact, many patients find acupuncture deeply relaxing and even fall asleep during their session. Everyone’s sensitivity is different, and your comfort is always a top priority. We take time to check in with you throughout your treatment and can adjust as needed to ensure a calm and positive experience.
What am I supposed to feel?
What am I supposed to feel?
A sense of relaxation or energy shift
A dull ache or pressure at the needle site
Warmth or tingling in the area or along a limb
A heavy, spreading, or pulling sensation
Mild throbbing or pulsation
A brief prick or pinch at insertion
Muscle twitch or brief jump (especially with motor points)
What am I NOT supposed to feel?
What am I NOT supposed to feel?
Sharp or stabbing pain
Burning sensation
Intense or increasing pain during treatment
Numbness or prolonged discomfort
Electric shock-like pain (beyond a mild nerve tap)
Severe muscle cramping or sustained spasm
How many treatments do I need?
How many treatments do I need?
How many treatments you’ll need really depends on what we’re working on together. Acute issues—like a recent injury—often respond fairly quickly, sometimes within just a few sessions. Chronic conditions usually take more time and consistency, as we work to address deeper, long-standing imbalances. I’ll always create a treatment plan tailored to your needs and check in with you along the way to adjust as your body responds.
What kind of needles do I use?
What kind of needles do I use?
Acupuncture needles are ultra-fine, sterile, and single-use tools made of surgical-grade stainless steel. Unlike hypodermic needles, they are solid and incredibly thin—often as fine as a human hair—designed to gently stimulate specific points on the body without injecting any substance. Most people feel little to no pain upon insertion, and many describe the sensation as a mild tingling, warmth, or a dull ache. In Canada, acupuncture needles are regulated as Class II medical devices, ensuring strict safety and quality standards. After each treatment, needles are safely disposed of to maintain hygiene and patient safety.
Can acupuncture heal everything?
Can acupuncture heal everything?
Acupuncture is a highly effective form of complementary medicine, but it isn’t a cure-all. While it can support a wide range of conditions—from chronic pain and stress to digestive issues and hormonal imbalances—it doesn’t replace emergency care or treat serious infections and structural diseases. Instead, acupuncture works by promoting the body’s natural healing processes, making it an excellent tool for symptom relief, recovery support, and overall wellness when used alongside conventional care
What is Electro-Acupuncture?
What is Electro-Acupuncture?
Electro-acupuncture is a modern enhancement of traditional acupuncture that involves attaching a gentle electrical current to acupuncture needles. This low-level stimulation helps amplify the effects of treatment, especially in cases involving pain, muscle tension, nerve conditions, or stubborn injuries.
By continuously activating the acupuncture points, electro-acupuncture can promote deeper circulation, encourage natural healing, reduce inflammation, and relieve chronic or acute pain more efficiently. It is commonly used for conditions such as sciatica, arthritis, sports injuries, neuropathy, and muscle spasms. Patients typically feel a mild pulsing or tapping sensation and often find treatments both relaxing and highly effective.
What is Motion Style Acupuncture Therapy vs Sports Acupuncture
What is Motion Style Acupuncture Therapy vs Sports Acupuncture
While all acupuncture works to restore balance and promote healing, sports acupuncture is a more targeted approach designed for injury recovery, performance enhancement, and musculoskeletal health. Traditional acupuncture follows the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), using the meridian system to support the body’s overall function—addressing both symptoms and root imbalances. Sports acupuncture integrates these TCM principles with modern orthopedic assessment, functional testing, and motor point needling to address specific injuries, movement restrictions, and muscular imbalances. It is commonly used to treat acute injuries, chronic pain, and to support recovery for athletes and active individuals. Whether you’re dealing with back pain from daily posture or recovering from a sports-related injury, both approaches are effective—sports acupuncture simply offers a more structurally focused treatment for physical performance and rehabilitation.
What is Laser Acupuncture?
What is Laser Acupuncture?
Laser acupuncture is a modern, needle-free technique that uses low-level laser light to stimulate specific acupuncture points on the body. Instead of penetrating the skin, the laser delivers gentle, concentrated energy to help reduce pain, inflammation, and promote tissue healing. It’s especially useful for those who are sensitive to needles or treating areas that are difficult to needle. While research is still evolving, clinical studies and patient experiences suggest laser acupuncture can be effective for pain relief, soft tissue injuries, and even nerve-related conditions—with the added benefit of being completely non-invasive and painless.
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