First Visit

If you haven’t filled out your forms ahead of time, please arrive at least 15 minutes early to complete paperwork.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing if possible.
Please avoid wearing fragrance or heavily scented products.
Acupuncture on an empty stomach is not recommended, especially for your first visit.
Appointment time: approximately 90 minutes.
Expect a while of conversation before your treatment to connect and get to know your story.
I use pulse diagnosis to gather information about the flow and balance of energy throughout your system by gently placing my fingers on the inside of your wrist.
I may also look at your tongue, which offers a visual map of your body’s internal state and can reveal patterns that help guide treatment.

Needle Treatment

Depending on where I’ll be working, you may be asked to undress accordingly.
You will always be provided privacy and careful draping of private areas.
The Five Element discipline uses great precision in locating acupuncture points. I use tools to measure and find exact locations.
Most people experience little to no discomfort with needle insertion.
Needles are very thin — about the width of two human hairs.
Sometimes needles will be left in; other times they may be inserted and removed right away.
Some areas of the body may be more sensitive than others.
Sensations you may feel at the needle insertion point or elsewhere in the body can include:
- Warmth
- Tingling
- Heaviness
- A dull ache
- A traveling sensation away from the point
You may notice a heightened awareness of sensations as energy moves throughout the body.
I will usually remain in the room with you for the duration of your treatment — feel free to involve me in whatever experience you may be having.
It’s not unusual for emotions to surface during your treatment. Allowing them to flow freely is your body’s way of letting go and rebalancing.
Most people leave with a sense of deep relaxation.

promotes circulation and pain relief.

Aims to release stagnation of blood, lymph, qi (energy) and pathological “heat” through the pores of the skin.
Oil is applied to the skin, and a round-edged tool is dragged along the skin with medium pressure.
Can result in similar sensations to a massage, where some discomfort in tight areas during treatment will provide later relief.
This technique may result in petechiae — red or purple markings on the skin called “sha."
These markings may look surprising, but they are a normal and intentional part of the therapeutic process.
Be sure to keep your skin covered following a gua sha treatment.
Marks typically fade within a week.

dried mugwort flower called "moxa" onto specific acupuncture points.

This is a deeply nourishing technique that brings blood and qi (energy) to support an acupuncture treatment.
The cone is placed on the skin with a bit of water, then lit with an incense stick.
The cone will then burn down until it nears the skin, or until you give an agreed-upon verbal cue that you’ve felt the warmth.
The lit cone is then removed and safely disposed of.
This may be repeated several times per point.

Similar to gua sha, cupping loosens fascia and promotes circulation, healing, and pain relief.
Oil is applied to the skin, and hollow, dome-shaped cups are placed over specific areas.
Air is suctioned out of the cups, lifting the skin and underlying muscle into the cups.
Cups may be left stationary or gently glided along the body.
Sensation is often similar to a deep tissue massage.
Can result in circular red or purple markings from the suction.
Marks typically fade within a week.