What to Expect When You Visit
The first visit consists of an initial evaluation and an acupuncture treatment. The initial evaluation lasts about 15 to 20 minutes, and includes a tongue and pulse diagnosis (a TCM way of diagnosing the energy status of the individual’s organs and overall health) as well as a discussion of one’s health history. Also, during this initial evaluation, the patient engages in an in-depth question and answer session where the practitioner seeks other relevant information about the individual. Often the healing process begins during this initial evaluation. This evaluation will determine the practitioner’s treatment strategy for each patient’s particular case. At its conclusion, the practitioner will prescribe a customized treatment plan that estimates the number of sessions expected for an individual to achieve a particular goal. For more information on what to expect from the initial evaluation, read about The TrueMind Promise.
A follow-up treatment session typically lasts 45 minutes. It will include acupuncture, and perhaps a unique combination of other TCM modalities as recommended by the practitioner. Children under the age of nine and patients who have a fear of needles can have acupressure or TuiNa performed in lieu of acupuncture needles.
The other natural TCM modalities that may be used are:
Custom Chinese Herbal Formulas - Custom blended herbs work with acupuncture to speed up the healing process, and reduce the frequency of sessions needed. Click here to learn more.
Cupping - Heat-vacuumed glass jars are applied to the muscle to release toxins and tension, and enhance circulation.
Moxibustion - "Moxa" herb is placed on the exposed end of a needle and burned to release essential oils.
Electro Acupuncture - One or two pairs of needles are connected to a very low voltage electric device; patients remark that they feel a light buzzing or pulsating sensation.
TuiNa - Therapeutic manipulation by fingertips of certain acupoints, muscles, and tendons.
Most patients feel little or no discomfort when the needles are inserted; rather, they find that the treatment is calming and relaxing, and many sleep soundly. Modern acupuncture needles are sterile and very fine – similar in width to a single strand of hair. The needles are discarded immediately after treatment in accordance with the Department of Health’s regulations.
For a session at TrueMind® Center, patients should wear loose comfortable clothes, and should be neither hungry nor too full. The more relaxed an individual is, the more effective the treatment will be.
The majority of patients feel content, uplifted, and energetic after each session. However, some may feel sleepy or tired for several hours, signifying the body’s efforts to detoxify. Drinking plenty of water will ease the effects.