*****Patients often experience dramatic results in the first treatment. Some patients experience an immediate total or partial relief of their pain or other symptoms. This relief may last or some pain may return. In a few cases, there may be no immediate relief only to notice that the pain may diminish over the next couple of days. Generally you should expect to feel better. 

Let Your Acupuncturist Know Prior to Treatment if: 

• If you have a pacemaker or any other electrical implants 

• If you have any type of bleeding disorder 

• If you are taking anticoagulants or any other medication 

• If you have damaged heart valves or any other particular risk of infection

• If you have metal pins, plates or rods 

BEFORE A TREATMENT

• Continue to take all medications as prescribed by your doctor or primary care provider.

• Hydrate and avoid alcohol or other sedatives before treatment.

• If possible, reduce or eliminate caffeine on the day of your treatment. 

• Do not eat an unusually large meal immediately before any treatment.

• Have a light meal or snack within 2 hours before treatment

• Do not smoke tobacco for 1 hour before treatment.

• For success, plan to complete a full course of treatment - which can be anything from 2-20 treatments depending on your situation. 

• Acupuncture usually lasts 25-45 minutes so it is important to use the bathroom prior to treatment.

• Be honest with your acupuncturist when answering questions. All answers are confidential and aid in the diagnosis and treatment.

• Begin to think preventatively about your health. Start noticing and being more aware of your body’s sensitivities and tendencies. This will teach you how to identify when something about your health is out of balance. Coming in for a series of acupuncture visits when you notice things are off, during seasonal changes or when you know you’ll be going through a stressful period will help you get ahead of the game. Learning to take action before your health condition becomes more severe, longer standing or difficult will save you time and money in the long run!

DURING A TREATMENT

• Relax, breath, sleep, think, meditate, solve problems, listen to music

• Once the needles are in place you will be left alone for 25-45 minutes. 

• Every patient is given a “CALL BUTTON” to have and use at any time during a treatment. This will send a quiet message to Sean’s watch letting him know you need support at that time. He will be with you momentarily. 

• It is natural to feel anxious or apprehensive about an acupuncture treatment, after all someone is going to stick you with needles! However, Sean is experienced and has successfully treated 1000s of people for a variety of conditions. Feel free to ask any questions you may have along the way so that you can get the most benefit possible from the treatment. 

• Do not change your position or move suddenly. If you are uncomfortable, tell Sean immediately or feel free to press the call button at any time. 

AFTER A TREATMENT

To enhance the value of the treatment the following guidelines are important: 

• Do not take any alcohol or caffeine for at least 4 hours after treatment and better to avoid these for the rest of the day. 

• Continue to take any prescribed medicines as directed by your regular doctor.

• Rest and relax for the remainder of the day if possible. Do not participate in vigorous exercise and avoid direct exposure to wind and cold.

• Keep yourself warm.

• No working out until the next day. If you feel soreness after the treatment, drink more water and wait until the soreness subsides before resuming workouts.

• If the treatment is for an acutely painful condition, avoid strenuous activity for 2 days after treatment, even if you are pain free.

• BREATHE. Try the breathing technique 4-7-8. 4 seconds inhale, 7 seconds hold, 8 seconds exhale. Do this 5 times. 

• Keep good mental or written notes of what your response is to the treatment. This is important for your acupuncturist to know so that the follow-up treatments can be designed to be most successful.

• Create lifestyle changes along with your treatment plan. Food, exercise and movement, posture, relationships, stress reduction, sleep, sunlight. These basic concepts have a profound effect on our health.