Mission Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

On Your First Visit

What to expect on your first visit:

• Your initial appointment will generally last 1 ½ hours.
  
• It is best if you do not come to your appointment on an empty stomach.
  
• As a new patient you have 2 options for paperwork:
       o   You can arrive approximately 30 minutes early for your appointment and fill it out in the waiting room
       o   You can download forms from our website and fill them out before your appointment.
• The New Patient paperwork includes 4 legal forms and 5 medical intake forms that should be read and filled out, and 2 privacy forms that only need to be read.
• After checking in for your appointment, your acupuncturist will follow up on the information you provided in your intake forms during a 20-25 minute consultation. He/She may ask you a series of detailed questions about any health problems or symptoms you might be having.
• In addition to your paperwork and consultation, your practitioner will also examine your tongue and feel your pulse in both wrists in order to arrive at a traditional Chinese medical diagnosis. 
• If you are taking any medication or herbal supplements please let your acupuncturist know or bring in a list for your first visit.
• After the initial consultation, you may be asked to remove your shoes and socks and lie down. Depending on the area to receive treatment, you may be asked to remove other articles of clothing. For your comfort and convenience we offer clean medical gowns that can be worn during your treatment. 
• After swabbing the various acupuncture sites with alcohol, your practitioner will insert very thin, sterile, disposable needles. Although some points are more sensitive than others, the patient will usually feel little to no sensation or discomfort.
  
• The needles will be left in for approximately 25-35 minutes. During this time the practitioner will check on you several times, and a finger bell will be available should you need to contact your acupuncturist for any reason. Most people find acupuncture to be very relaxing; however, should you experience any pain or discomfort, please alert your practitioner right away so adjustments can be made. 
• If your practitioner thinks it would be beneficial to your treatment, he/she might make recommendations for traditional Chinese herbs, dietary and/or exercise changes as part of his/her suggested treatment plan. 
• After your treatment you will have the opportunity to schedule your next appointment.

After your visit:

• Plan to take it easy after your treatment. 
• Sometimes after receiving an acupuncture treatment you may feel a little lightheaded or “woozy.” If that is the case, please sit for a while in our waiting area. In a few minutes you’ll be relaxed and clear-headed.
  
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• Herbal prescriptions are intended only for the person for whom they were prescribed. Do not give herbal formulas to anyone else.
  
• Very rarely, symptoms may become worse after an acupuncture treatment. This is often a sign that preciously dormant conditions are being awakened so that complete healing may occur. This should pass quickly. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the clinic.