During the first acupuncture session, the acupuncturist will assess your general health. As each treatment is unique to the individual, this will facilitate the most effective treatment for each.

Each person who performs acupuncture has a unique style, often blending aspects of Eastern and Western approaches to medicine. To determine the type of acupuncture treatment that will help you the most, your practitioner may ask you questions about your current symptoms, past treatments, patient and family medical history, diet, digestive system, sleeping patterns and emotional health.

Also, the pulse on both wrists will be taken to determine how energies are flowing in the body. As part of the diagnosis, our acupuncturist will closely examine:

• The parts of your body that are painful

• The shape, coating, and colour of your tongue

• The colour of your face

• The strength, rhythm, and quality of your pulse in your wrist

During this comprehensive evaluation, the practitioner will observe your emotions, voice and self-presentation. This will further aid in the diagnosis and development of a treatment that will assist in harmonizing your overall energy.

Specific acupuncture points will be chosen and the practitioner begins treatment. The first session may last up to 60 minutes. Subsequent treatments will last approximately 45 minutes. Dietary and other recommendations will be discussed at appropriate times throughout the treatment process.

A common treatment plan for a single complaint would typically involve one or two treatments a week. The number of treatments will depend on the condition being treated and its severity. In general, it's common to receive 6 to 8 treatments.