Acupuncture needles are extremely fine, so most people are surprised by how little they actually feel. You may notice a brief prick, pressure, warmth, tingling or a subtle sensation as the needle is placed. Once the needles are in place, many people settle into a deep state of relaxation and some even fall asleep during their treatment.

Your comfort is always important to us. We work at your pace and can adjust the treatment if anything feels uncomfortable. Acupuncture should never be something you feel you have to “push through.”

Your first appointment is about getting to know you. We'll talk through your current concerns, health history, symptoms, patterns and anything else that may help us understand the bigger picture.

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, we look at how different systems in the body are functioning together rather than focusing only on the symptom that brought you in. Your practitioner may look at your tongue, feel your pulse and ask questions that might seem unrelated at first, but all help us understand your individual pattern.

We'll then create a treatment plan based on what we find, and you'll receive your first treatment if appropriate. There is plenty of time for questions, and you should leave with a clearer understanding of what we're seeing and where we can go from there

There isn't a set number of treatments that works for everyone. It depends on what you're coming in for, how long you've been experiencing it, your overall health, and how your body responds to treatment.

For some concerns, you may notice changes fairly quickly. For others, especially chronic or longstanding patterns, it can take more time and consistency to create lasting change.

We usually begin with a treatment plan based on your individual needs and reassess as we go. As things improve and become more stable, treatments can often be spaced further apart or shifted into maintenance care.

Acupuncture can be a gentle and supportive treatment during pregnancy when it is provided by a properly trained practitioner who understands the changes and considerations of pregnancy. We adapt your treatment throughout each stage of pregnancy and take your individual health and pregnancy history into account.

Your acupuncture care is complementary to, rather than a replacement for, the care you receive from your midwife, family doctor or obstetrician.

If you have a high-risk pregnancy or a specific medical concern, we'll work with you and your medical care team to make sure treatment is appropriate.

We recommend having something to eat beforehand rather than arriving on an empty stomach, drinking some water, and wearing comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the areas being treated.

After your treatment, we encourage you to slow down and give your body some space to settle. Rather than rushing back into your day, take a little time to relax and let the message from the needles soak in. Drink some water, and when possible, keep the rest of your day a little lighter.

You can generally return to your normal activities, but if we’ve treated an area for pain or injury, keep things gentle afterward and avoid sudden movements, strenuous activity, or pushing the affected area too hard.

Many extended health benefit plans include acupuncture as a paramedical service.

Coverage varies between plans, including the amount covered per treatment, annual limits and whether your plan requires treatment from a registered practitioner. We recommend checking your individual benefits before your first appointment. We offer direct billing to many insurance providers, making it easy to use your coverage at the time of your appointment.