what_to_expect

I am a New Patient. What do I need to know?

You will need to fill out some paper work.

•        These forms are available online at pinandneedle.com. If you are
able to do this before your first treatment that would be great and will
support us in staying on time and reducing paper shuffling. The forms are
in a PDF format online..

Wear loose, comfortable clothing!

•        Wear loose comfortable clothes. Treatment will be conducted mostly
on your arms, lower legs and abdomen and will not require you to do more
than take off shoes, jewellery and roll up sleeves and pant legs in many
cases.

•        There is a one time paperwork and administrative fee due at your first
appointment of $10.

•        Arrive for your first treatment 15-30 minutes early to fill in your health
history and complete other paperwork. If you have already filled out your
paperwork online give it to the receptionist and take a seat to wait for your
acupuncturist. Sometimes we have an Invisible Receptionist (while we are
getting up and running she is your acupuncturist and she is in the
treatment room with other patients) If she is not there when you arrive
follow the instructions waiting at the reception desk for payment and
scheduling. While you are waiting you could try some seasonal tea or visit
the restroom.

Pay and schedule on the way in not on the way out!

•              Pay the receptionist for your treatment, using the guidelines on
the posted sliding scale poster.
•            The acupuncturist will greet you and go over your health history,
the sliding scale and the financial agreement with you. At later
appointments you can schedule future appointments at this time.

•              If you have any questions this is a good time to ask them.
However remember that to keep this acupuncture affordable patients are
scheduled every 10-15 minutes and you may be able to portion your
questions out over a few treatments to keep the acupuncturist moving and
treating on time. It is the needles that are treating you not the acupuncturist
and so getting them in to do their work is our top priority.

•               You may be able to find the answers you are looking for online at
pinandneedle.com or from the books in the reception area.

•            Our aim is to not add to your time or financial stress. Come as
often as you can within your time and budget guidelines.

•              The acupuncturist will take you into the community treatment
room. The room will be warm and cosy and have “pods” of recliner chairs in
pools of light. It will be quiet except for soft music for the most part.

•         Find a chair and blanket and get comfortable.

•         Take off your shoes and socks. Take off any jewelry that may get in
the way of smooth treatment and put it into the basket next to the chair. Roll
up your sleeves and pant legs.

Now for the needles…

•        The acupuncturist will take your pulse at your neck and wrist and look
at your tongue and then put the needles in .If you have never had
acupuncture before you will feel a small prick as the needle goes through
the skin. Needles are fine, a little thicker than a human hair and most
patients feel little sensation.

Chinese “Cooking”

•                  The acupuncturist will leave you to “cook” for 30 minutes to 2
hours. This is the time that the needles are doing their work

•              If you need to leave at a certain time at this or later treatments
just tell the acupuncturist as the needles are being placed.

•              A lot of patients can feel when they are” done”. If you feel like this
just open your eyes and give the acupuncturist a meaningful look. You can
stay in your chair as long as you like. Acupuncture can be very relaxing
and some of our patients fall asleep.
This is a good way for the body to heal.

•              Some of our patients snore so bringing some earplugs to
appointments can make sure that this does not bother you. Enjoy this
space and spend as much time as you like

Needles don’t hurt when they come out!

•              The acupuncturist will remove the needles. Mostly there is no
sensation in removing needles.

•              You will gather your things and leave the treatment room. Get a
drink of water if you can.

•              Schedule your appointments with the receptionist at this time.
Next time you come you can schedule, when you pay, on your arrival or you
can schedule online. This allows you to float out of your treatment, back to
work or home with all business taken care of.

At your next treatment!

•              At your next treatment schedule and pay for your treatment when
you arrive, when you are ready make your way to the treatment room and
find your favourite comfy chair. Your acupuncturist will make his/her way to
you and do the pulse taking, tongue looking and ask you a few questions
quietly. Lie back and relax. Welcome to Acupuncture.