FAQ
What to expect from your first visit?
Step 1: Sign Patient Consent Form
For the first consultation, you will be requested to read and sign the patient consent form, which is one of the requirements from NZASA (NZ Acupuncture Standards Authority).
Step 2: Collect patient information and observation
Then, the practitioner will start the consultation by asking you a list of questions (i.e. energy level, appetite, bowel movement, sleep, emotion, lifestyle and etc.), then observe your tongue colour, check your pulse pattern.
Step 3: Treatment plan explanation
After that, the practitioner will make a syndrome diagnosis based on the all the information given, then form a treatment plan which will be explained to you. The treatment plan covers treatment methods involved, number of treatment requires, therapeutic results to be expected. Moxabustion, cupping, guasha or ear seeding may be performed within the same treatment time depends on individual conditions.
Step 4: Treatment time
You will be treated in a private, clean and safe room where you will be asked to lie down. Usually about 2 to 10 points are selected for needling depends on individual conditions.
Does it hurt?
Needle insertion is relatively painless. Once the needle is in place there may be a mild tingling, numbness or ache at the needle site. Sometimes there may be cramping, heaviness, distension or an “electric” sensation either around the needle or traveling up or down the affected acupuncture meridian. This sensation is called “needle sensation” or “Qi sensation” which is the indication of the point has been stimulated and the Qi is activated.
First time fear?
Response to treatment is individual where the mild most people found the mild pain feeling is acceptable, for first timer, we care about your response and will consider to needle less point or use Abdominal Acupuncture method.
How long does it takes?
The needle retention time is about 20 – 30 minutes where you will feel relaxed and most people fall in sleep instead. The total time requires for the first visit is about 1 hour.
What else do I need to know before the treatment?
- You should not have alcohol at least 2 hours before the treatment.
- You may feel calm or sleepy following the treatment, most people are fine.
- You should not be feeling hungry or too full during the treatment as it may lead to needling fainting if you are too hungry or uncomfortable to lie on your stomach if you are too full.
What to expect from the follow up visit?
For follow up treatment, step 2 – 4 will be repeated. The total time requires is about 30 - 60 minutes.
