First Acupuncture Visit: What Happens?

This video was filmed during COVID. Masks are no longer required.

[Transcription]

Considering acupuncture, most people have many questions before they decide to give it a try. What happens during a treatment? Does it hurt? And most importantly, does it work?

This video will give you an overview of what to expect from your first appointment.

The first thing I make sure people know is that all of our practitioners hold a four-year master’s degree in Chinese medicine and are fully licensed by the state of Tennessee. We are in complete compliance with CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID. Masks are required. We have a very aggressive sanitation schedule, and patients wait in the car until their treatment room is ready for them to walk right in.

We see patients from ages 5 to 95, and people from all walks of life are warmly welcomed at Appalachian Acupuncture. Some patients come strictly for pain relief or symptom relief. Others need help managing chronic conditions such as arthritis, allergies, or IBS. Some patients visit for their monthly tune-up to help with stress relief, boost immunity, and address any other issues that may have come up. The treatment is conducted in a comfortable private room. Before the treatment, we review your health history, discuss symptoms you’re experiencing, and together create a treatment plan to help you feel better as soon as possible.

Now, time for your treatment. My first step in helping a new patient be more comfortable is to introduce the needles. All of our needles are single-use sterile disposable needles. They’re about as thick as a cat whisker, very thin, so they’re not nearly as painful as an injection. Many people don’t feel the needles at all, while others may feel a tiny prick sensation or a tingling or warmth in the area. I often hear, I can tell there’s something there, but it sure doesn’t feel like a needle. After the needles are in, we dim the lights and allow you to rest. You’re given a call button in case you need us for any reason, and heat lamps and music are provided to help you enjoy your downtime even more. We make every effort to make sure you are comfortable and relaxed. About 70 % of our patients experience relief from their very first treatment. I encourage new patients to schedule 3 to 4 visits about 7 to 10 days apart for their best results. At that time, we reassess our progress and decide if future visits would be beneficial. Hopefully, this has given you a better mental image of what acupuncture treatment would be like at Appalachian Acupuncture.

If you have further questions or are ready to schedule your first visit with us, give us a call. We look forward to working with you soon.