What should I expect from my first acupuncture treatment?
Your first visit (1 1/2 - 2 hours) is very important. We have a thorough consultation. I'll ask you many questions about your current health and medical history. This information will help me understand both how to treat what is bothering you now and better understand your overall medical condition. In addition you will receive your first acupuncture treatment.

What are examples of some typical treatment plans?
For example, Helen came to me for her migraines and, while treatments did relieve her headache pain, both of us were more interested in what caused them and how to keep them from coming back. Chinese medicine looks at the whole body when dealing with disorders. I look at the overall climate of the body which is composed of all the body systems and how they’re functioning so while treatment effects the symptoms, there are other effects on overall health. Suzie was treated regularly for three months and returns for a "tune-up" from time to time as needed. She also returns for stress-reduction as she finds it helpful.

Joe came to me feeling very sick. He had had every available medical test but nothing conclusive was diagnosed. A detailed medical history revealed his problem and helped us set up a successful treatment plan for his irritable bowel syndrome. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a disorder not well understood or treated by western medicine. It’s causes can be complex. Chinese medicine, by looking at many different factors in one overall picture of the body, can often help resolve the problem. Joe was feeling well and happy after four months of treatment involving acupuncture, herbs and lifestyle and diet changes.

Martin was doing some heavy lifting and his back went "out" into spasm and could barely walk. He came for one treatment and was fine afterwards.

So as you can see, there is a range depending on the problem, the length of time it’s been there and the patient’s response to treatment.

Your subsequent visits should last around an hour.

What if the treatment I get has no apparent effect?
When considering all improvements of a patient under the care of a Chinese medical practitioner in China, about 70-95% such patients report a positive outcome of varying degrees. Certainly, a portion of this may be due to coincidental improvement, the "placebo effect," and other aspects of the therapeutic encounter. However, it is still expected that when these are compensated for that at least 50% of individuals will demonstrate a favorable response.

If the modern medical approach or another alternative approach does not have a clearly identified high rate of success, then Chinese medicine may offer the best chance of producing a good result. Even in the absence of obvious benefits, the lack of side effects and the potential protective and preventative effects of this treatment method are important.