What to Expect on a First Visit

You’ve been thinking about coming in for an evaluation and treatment and decide to schedule an appointment.  You are delighted to realize that convenient online scheduling is available with a click. Finding an appointment time that works with your schedule is easy and available 24 hours a day.  You decide to download the new patient forms and fill them out at home and have them ready for your first visit at Acupuncture Center of Portland.

When you arrive, you will be greeted you personally by your practitioner.  You present your insurance card along with your forms, take a seat and peruse a magazine while he reviews your intake.  You notice the large display of Chinese herbs behind the front desk and realize that we have herbalists in addition to well-recommended acupuncturists and massage therapists.  After a few minutes, you will be escorted back to one of the treatment rooms, where you will be asked you about your chief concerns, and also about many other aspects of your health and well-being.  Sometimes seemingly unrelated problems or minor complaints are often tied together in the diagnostic understanding of Oriental medicine. After answering the questions and asking your own, we may suggest that in order to do an exam of your areas of concern that you change into a gown.  You will be left in the room to change while the practitioner washes their hands and prepares for the treatment.  

When the practitioner returns, you are invited to lie on your back on the treatment table and relax.  One of the first things they may do is to feel your pulse at your wrists.  It might seem to take a long time doing it as they examine the pulse at both wrists.  When you seem puzzled, they explain that they are doing Chinese pulse diagnosis, which evaluates the pulse in several positions on both wrists in order to get a sense of how your system is functioning, beyond just the rate of your heartbeat.  Then you may be asked to stick out your tongue for another traditional examination.  They note the color, conformation, and coating, which give them additional clues as to your overall health.  Next, they often touch your abdomen or back for areas of tension or discomfort.  Many of these areas also give them clues into your overall health and insights into your particular concerns.  Then they may look at or touch any particular physical sites of concern to help him evaluate them.

Putting all of this information together, it weaves a pattern of just what may be at the root of what is bothering you.  Or in the case of someone coming in for a well-care visit, it will inform them of the areas that are slightly out of balance that he can address to give you the tune-up that will help you to keep feeling your best.  

You will then begin the treatment phase of your visit. You tell the practitioner that you are feeling a little apprehensive and they reassure you that they have worked with all sorts of people and can tailor the treatment to your comfort. They let you know that the acupuncture needles are very thin, like a hair, and shaped differently than a hypodermic needle, and so do not hurt like them, and that most people are pleasantly surprised at how easy the insertion of them is.

The treatment begins and you are surprised how easy it is.  After all the needles have been inserted, they will usually suggest you rest with them in for several minutes.  They will make sure you are comfortable and then says they are going to let you rest and relax and let the acupuncture do its work.  And while at first you think the idea of relaxing with needles sounds preposterous, you are quite surprised by the growing sense of relaxation that starts to wash over you as you comfortably lie on the treatment table.  It’s one of the most unexpected but most enjoyable aspects of receiving acupuncture.  Some patients refer to their treatments as “mini-vacations” and find that they are useful for any kind of chronic stress they are suffering under, because of this wonderful effect.  

You seem to drift off and before long your practitioner reenters the room and removes the acupuncture needles and lets you know that you are done.  Sometimes they may suggest a Chinese herbal formula to augment the effects of your treatment. Then you are left to get dressed and then meet them at the front desk to arrange payment and schedule your next appointment.

You may or may not feel immediately better after the first treatment to some degree.  Many people do experience positive changes after their first treatment but if you don’t, it is not indicative of it not working.  Acupuncture and Oriental medicine is a process; it’s like a re-education for your system that can take a while to generate the change that you want.   

You leave feeling relaxed, centered, and pleased that you sought out our help.  You’re glad to know that you can always call us if you have questions or concerns about your treatment. You look forward to your next appointment and are glad you took this step toward feeling your best.