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What kind of needles do you use?
Dragonfly Medical Acupuncture uses only industry standard, single use, individually wrapped and sterilized needles. The needles are quite thin at 30-36 gauge (0.2 mm to 0.3 mm in diameter), and vary in length, depending on the area to be needled.
What other techniques can I expect during a session?
Other techniques that patients can expect during an acupuncture session include moxibustion or the use of infrared heat lamps, cupping, and “Gua Sha”.
What positions may I find myself in during the treatment?
The most common positions are supine (laying on your back), or prone (laying on your front). Another, less used position is seated on a chair in the backwards position, chest facing the back of the chair. Some sessions may require mid-treatment position changes.
What should I wear to my acupuncture session?
In general, loose, comfortable clothing is preferred. The majority of our acupuncture sessions involve placing needles in the extremities distal to (further out from) the elbows and knees. However, during the session, it may be requested that we have access to place needles near the painful or troubled areas we are working on. While it is certainly possible to work around these areas, having clothing that does not restrict access to these vital “ah shi” points (loosely translated as, “ah, that's the painful location!”) will improve your results.
| How long will each session last? In general, the first session lasts from approximately one hour to one and a half hours. Subsequent sessions can last anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour. What results can I expect, and what do they mean? As with any treatment, there are three categories of results that you can expect. Your symptoms will improve, worsen, or remain unchanged. If your symptoms improve, that is, of course, a favorable sign that your body is amenable to the specific acupuncture treatment that was used on you. The improvement may last up to several days. If your symptoms worsen, the acupuncture treatment that you received was indeed correct, but the force of the treatment was too great. You can expect the worsening to improve back to baseline within the next few days. Please don't forget to inform us of any worsening, as your treatment intensity will need to be reduced. Finally, if there is no change in your symptoms, your treatment may have been too subtle, and needs to be strengthened or changed at your next acupuncture session. Please inform us of your lack of response to the previous treatment, so that we may adjust your care. When can I expect these results? Generally, you will begin to feel the results during the first 48 hours after your treatment. Please remember, the body does not change its maladaptive patterns instantaneously, nor do we want it to. Slow change is the rule of the body, as it is the most lasting form of change. What should I do after my treatment? In general, the rule is to avoid excesses. Directly after your treatment, it is advisable to move slowly – rise from the table slowly, when you feel it is time. Remember that acupuncture can release hormones such as endorphins and catecholamines, which can make you feel a bit dizzy, or even a bit “woozy” directly after the treatment. There is no rush to leave, and you are certainly welcome to rest before leaving the office. After leaving the office, it is important to “move gently” throughout the rest of the day. Please refrain from heavy exertion and exercise, as well as heavy foods and large meals. Failure to follow these guidelines can impair the short and long term effectiveness of your acupuncture treatment. How long after my first session will I need a follow-up session? As in a conventional medical office, the answer to this question truly depends on the problem being addressed. In general, however, when the long lasting effectiveness of your treatment begins to wane, it is time to schedule another appointment. In some acute instances (such as acute back spasm), the followup may need to be every other day. In some other instances, such as a chronic back or neck pain, follow up may be weekly. Once your acute or chronic issue has been addressed, you may additionally require monthly or quarterly “maintenance” visits, which will help to prevent your problem from recurring. Can I stop seeing my regular doctor? Certainly not. Medical Acupuncture is designed to supplement the effects of your regular, Western trained (allopathic) medical provider. The best medical results will often be seen with the combination of medical acupuncture and Western Medicine |
