FAQs
Where do i begin?
First, schedule an appointment and you will receive a link to fill out the new patient paperwork. It is important to be thorough and have this done before your visit. Acupuncturists are notorious for long intake forms and asking a lot of questions at your visit. This is because the more information we have, the better we can diagnose.
do the needles hurt?
It’s worth noting that there is a big difference in hypodermic needles (used for injections or blood draws) and acupuncture needles, which are a thin filament. The needle is, of course, piercing the skin, but gently and with a different intention. Some people will feel a little prick or sensation they can’t quite name, but most are quickly so relaxed they may fall asleep. The most important thing is for you to communicate what you are feeling. If it’s uncomfortable to the point where you cannot relax, we change it. You have the final say and I want you to speak up.
how does acupuncture work?
There are many ways to explain how acupuncture works from both a TCM approach as well as from a biomedical view. In TCM, we look at where something is out of balance, causing symptoms, and find how to create balance. When a needle is placed, there are studies that show we get a release of biochemicals in our brain that create the immediate sense of calm. By manipulating the needles we can create a ripple effect through connective tissues, much like pulling on a single thread of a spider web, you cannot pull on one thread without the whole web shifting.
Do I need to do anything to prepare for the session?
It is important for you to have eaten something that day, preferably a couple of hours before your appointment, are hydrated, and have used the bathroom before we get started. Being nourished and comfortable will help your body be as responsive to treatment as possible. I also recommend loose, comfortable clothing and to wear layers so we can remove only what is needed.
How much of this is placebo?
This is a great question because it is hard to measure placebo. It is worth noting that every medical intervention, including medications like strong opiates, have a marked placebo effect. Acupuncture studies are challenging because it is nearly impossible to have a control. Even sham acupuncture touches the skin, which has an effect. One way to show effectiveness is through animal studies. Because the dog with hip dysplasia cannot be coerced to stop limping and the cat with incontinence doesn’t know to stop leaking, they just respond to the treatment well, which proves it cannot all be placebo. It is healthy to keep in mind biases and I encourage one to come with a sense of curiosity. As I told my favorite disbeliever before his first (and very effective) treatment, “I don't believe in Santa Clause, but I still somehow get presents every year.”
What happens during the appointment?
We will always start with some questions and going over your intake form so I have a good idea of where to begin.
It is helpful to arrive in loose attire as you often will not need to remove clothing. Most treatments are laying on your back or stomach on a massage table which can be adjusted based on your comfort.
Once settled, needles are placed and you are usually left for 10-40 minutes. You are given a button to push in case you feel nervous or need something adjusted.
Often there may be benefit to using other tools such as moxibustion, gua sha, or cupping. This will be discussed before doing so and always with your consent. Once treatment is complete, we will check in about things you can do for self care or scheduling another visit.
What should I expect to feel after the treatment?
Generally, people feel relaxed and hopefully some relief from symptoms. The treatment may have immediate effects as well as continuing to work on what was addressed over the course of a few days. Occasionally there can be an increase in pain after a session followed by a marked decrease to what the pain began with. Like the discomfort after working out but then a few days later, your body has repaired and gained muscle because of it. You may feel better after one treatment but generally it takes a few to notice a marked change and to get the results to stay and not go back to old patterns.
How many sessions are needed to solve my issue?
At the end of some appointments, my favorite instructor in school used to say, “I hope to never see you again.” This would make some people a little confused at first but what he meant is that he hopes he did such a thorough and exceptional job that you will not need to come back for this same issue. I believe in trying to solve solvable problems as efficiently as possible. That being said, not all problems are solvable. Some issues, like acute pain or injuries could be totally resolved in 1-10 sessions and I’d graduate you from my services until you had another issue come up to work on. Some chronic issues may take longer or are more complex. I am not afraid to refer out if I feel there is something or someone better that is needed for your specific case. Then there are things that are forever problems, such as osteoarthritis. I cannot undo physical damage that has been done and the wear and tear of daily life is not something I can prevent for you. But, we can work on the pain inflammation, range of motion, and slowing down the degenerative process. These are things that we get under control and then on a maintenance schedule, as needed, which is up to you.
Are there side effects?
Acupuncture is lovely in that the side effects tend to be things like better sleep that night or feeling calm, even if what we worked on was a sprained ankle. It is worth noting that there is a possibility of mild bruising at the site of the needles or marks from cupping. There have been rare instances where damage has been done to the lungs from improper needling and this is why it is important to work with an acupuncturist who is licensed and gone through extensive training for these areas. It is also possible for a person to feel lightheaded during a treatment and all that needs to happen is to remove needles, lay flat, and have something to eat/drink. Generally this happens when people have a low blood sugar, which is why it is important to have eaten the day of treatment.
Do you take insurance?
At this time, Robyn’s Nest Acupuncture is a cash practice.