ACUPUNCTURE
What your body wants is simple; what it needs is a little more complicated.
When the body achieves homeostasis, we feel well. Then illness comes around and suddenly we’re fighting to get back up and continue with our lives. That fight becomes more complicated when you have other factors in play stress, anxiety, chronic illness, weather, less-than-optimal diet, trauma, and genetics in play.
Your body wants to be healthy, your mind wants clarity, you want to feel fulfilled; all of that is difficult when you just don’t feel well.
Acupuncture works with your system to restore and maintain equilibrium by taking your individual symptoms, finding the coming thread, and using that common thread to make a treatment that focuses on the whole.
Here in the West, acupuncture and Chinese medicine are often used to treat musculoskeletal pain. Institutions like Johns Hopkins, the University of Pennsylvania, and the National Institute for Health (NIH) regularly research and use acupuncture for this reason as it regularly out-performs the more conventional methods of pain relief like physical therapy and pharmaceuticals. Acupuncture has been shown to help reduce the need for stronger pharmaceuticals for pain relief when used together with physical therapy and less intense pain medications.
Here at Middle Earth Acupuncture, I regularly treat pain as well as muscle and joint dysfunction. But throughout my time in practice and as an intern, I have seen and treated patients with disparate and often multiple ailments like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), infertility, anxiety, depression, insomnia, thyroid disorders, and asthma. I have treated scar tissue old and new to restore function and movement to muscles and joints, and I’ve had the privilege of helping parents of all types on their journey to and through parenthood.
It is my hope to continue using and broadening my skill set to help you feel better at every stage, and to bring the wonderful healing powers of Chinese medicine to you.
What happens in the first visit?
At Middle Earth Acupuncture, we separate your initial intake from your first treatment.
Having a full 50-minute intake means we can thoroughly explore what ails you and get to the root of the issue. This allows us to come up with a plan that best suits your schedule, your needs, your budget, and your health overall. A video call also saves you a trip into the busy downtown area!
During your intake, we’ll discuss your chief complaint — why you’re seeking acupuncture in the first place — and get some background on when it started and how much it affects you. Then, we’ll get a full health history; Eastern medicine looks at the whole person — mind, body, and spirit — and requires meticulous questions and answers about every aspect of you as a person to get a full picture of you as a patient.
After your intake, we’ll schedule you for treatment in the office.
When you come into the office for your first treatment, I’ll look at your tongue and take your pulse — two vital parts of Chinese Medicine diagnosis. Your tongue tells me what’s been going on the last few months with your body, and your pulse tells me what’s going on that day.
I’ll then select acupuncture points to use. My approach for point selection is “less is best” meaning I will use the least amount of needles to get the job done for your system and for your comfort. If you have areas of your body that are inaccessible or are experiencing discomfort, just let me know and we will choose an alternate point. Communication is key and I believe in keeping it open and honest with my patients.
How many sessions will I need?
It truly depends on your case. Is your situation acute or chronic?
Acute: you strained your back for the first time ever
Chronic: you’ve strained your back for fifth time in five years
If you are in an “acute situation”, usually only a few sessions are needed. If you are in a “chronic situation”, you can expect several months worth of regular treatment. It’s important to begin treatment as soon as possible.
Whether it’s illness or injury, the sooner you seek care, the easier it is to treat your condition.
Other factors to consider:
Cumulative: Acupuncture’s effects are cumulative. This means that once treatment has started, follow-up visits are important to continue the healing process. The closer you stick to your treatment schedule, the sooner you will see positive results.
Consistency: At the end of your appointments, you will most likely be assigned homework. They can be lifestyle modifications, exercises, or diet recommendations. Patients who follow through with homework along with their regular appointments are more likely to heal faster and see longer lasting, positive results.
Check-ins: I will typically conduct a full re-evaluation every 4th or 6th appointment depending on your case. This allows me to see how you are responding to your treatments, assess any changes, determine if modifications have to be made, and possibly upgrade you to a different treatment schedule.
Before Your Appointment
New Patient Intake completed: Your New Patient Intake will be emailed to you when your first appointment is made. This questionnaire will get you fully registered in the practice records system.
Loose, comfortable clothing: Some of the major acupuncture points are located around your elbows and knees. Depending on the points chosen, we may also be using points on your back, abdomen, or chest. Loose clothing that is easily moved and adjusted will keep you comfortable and provide easy access to points without having to undress. In the event that you have to undress, gowns and drapes will be used.
Something in your stomach: It is highly recommended that you eat a snack or a small meal before your appointment. Being too hungry during your treatment can cause a headache or fainting.
Comfort items: The treatment room is a relaxing environment with low lights and white noise, but we are also in a shared medical office space which means there is a low level of chatter outside the room. You are more than welcome to bring your own headphones to listen to your own media if you think that this will impact your treatment. Additionally, you are encouraged to bring anything that will bring you comfort such as a stuffed animal, a preferred essential oil, or a small blanket.
