What to Expect on your first appointment

Your time in the clinic will be about 1 ½ - 2 hours, interview and treatment. A consultation often last 1 hour. If insurance is involved I’ll make a copy of your insurance card. Make sure you call your insurance and find out if Acupuncture is covered and what your deductible is and if you have met it. Ask for an ID # and the name of the insurance representative when you talk to  them for information prior to your appointment.

I will review your questionnaire you completed and your recent lab results.

There will be still plenty of questions I will ask you, about nutrition and lifestyle, I’ll do an medical examination and evaluation, where I will check typical acupoints for tenderness, check your pulse (12 on each wrist) and your tongue. On those findings I will make my diagnosis congruent with the interview. Please do not clean your tongue before the appointment.

I will ask you if you have any questions about acupuncture and the treatment. I do go over all the paperwork and  proceed with the acupuncture (if appropriate). Then I will palpate more acupoints especially the ones that are related to your issues you want to work on..

I play relaxing music softly and the lights will be dimmed for the healing experience. I will leave the room and will check on you periodically.

Comfortable clothing, shorts or pants that can easily be pulled over the knees are preferable. For back problems or sciatica or leg pain, you have a sheet to cover as clothes have to be removed so needles will not entangle. I use sterile one-time-use needles in different size and lengths depending on the points. I use alcohol on a cotton ball to clean the acupoints. Wash my hands constantly. A TDP heat lamp is available if needed. I like to preserve the tranquility that promotes the healing process, so cell phone need to be turned off.

An integral part of my practice is to empower/educate my patients about their issues.

In your first consultation/treatment I will decide if certain lab work needs to be done and write you a lab request if needed in my office.

You can pay for your consultation/treatment with cash, check or credit card. In case you have insurance, please ALWAYS check with your insurance in advance to see if you are covered for Acupuncture. If so, ask if you met your deductible, what your co-pay is and how many treatment you are allowed in a year. I am a provider for Pres, BCBS, United, Cigna, NMHC. Having one of these insurances does not warranty Acupuncture coverage as there are many different plans in each insurance.

Next treatment will be about 1 hour. We’ll discuss about how many treatment you may need depending on your response to the treatments.

New Patients Please download the form below, fill it out and bring it with you on your first visit.