An insight into what happens before, during and after an acupuncture or TuiNa treatment when booking with TCM Practice Acupuncture.
If after reading this page you still have a question, you can look at the FAQ or contact us directly. We are always happily answer your questions and inquiries.
Before
If you are reading this page I believe you have done your research and looking for a treatment or practitioner who can help you. Please read About page if you want to know more about me. In short, I am a registered member of British Acupuncture Council BAcC. I am trained in Chinese medicine and western biomedical sciences. This includes anatomy, physiology, and pathology. I am compliant with current UK health and safety legislation.
If you are still unsure about booking with TCM Practice, we can have a free 15 min discovery call. During this call, we can discuss your main concerns and determine if acupuncture or Tui Na is suited for you.
If you are ready to make an appointment you can book online or contact us. If it is your first appointment with us (regardless of if you have had acupuncture before) please select the 60 min appointment.
If you do have private healthcare insurance, you might want to talk with your provider or you can look at this list of providers that offer covers for acupuncture treatments here
On a day of your appointment:
- Try to relax
- Wear loose clothing that can be easily moved or removed. Underwear stay on at all times
- Eat at least 2 hours before your appointment
- Avoid caffeine at least 1 hour before
- Please do not brush your tongue on a morning of appointment
During
Your first appointment last 60-90 minutes; subsequent appointments will be 45-60 minutes.
Each appointment will start with a discussion about your main concern, your general health and treatment priorities.
At the first consultation practitioner will ask you general questions about your health, lifestyle, diet and medical history. TCM uses a holistic approach to diagnoses thus understanding of a total state of your body, mind and spirit is of most importance. All what is said in the room or during online consultation is held in confidence.
Your practitioner will also use hearing, touch, sight and smell to help with diagnoses. They will do a physical examination which might include looking at your skin, eyes, tongue, feeling your abdomen and checking your pulse.
In a typical treatment, the client lies on a massage table. However, treatments can also be performed while siting down to support particular conditions.
Acupuncture is performed by inserting needles directly into the patient’s body. You might be asked to remove your socks or roll up your sleeves. If access to the torso is required, we will provide you with covers to protect your modesty. You can also bring your own scarfs or towels.
Tui Na treatment is applied over loose clothing. A Tui Na cloth is used, or it may be applied directly onto the skin if an external medium is applied.
Cupping and Gua Sha are mostly applied on a patient’s back thus access to your back will be required.
All treatments are designed for you only and it is our aim to make you feel relaxed and energized.
Depending on your condition further appointments or lifestyle amendments might be suggested before you leave our clinic.
After
After the treatment it is advisable to relax and go easy on yourself as much as possible.
It is also advisable not to drink alcohol within 12 hours of treatment.
There might be a follow-up email from us just to check in with you. But if you have any concerns please do not hesitate to contact us.
Acupuncture is not a magic pill. The duration of your condition or its impact on your body system can affect treatment needs. It might require more than one treatment to get your body back in balance. If your practitioner has suggested multiple appointments, please consider our discount offer of 6 treatments. This offer could save you time and money in the long run.
A study conducted in 2005 found: “The most common experiences reported were feeling ‘relaxed‘ (79.1%) followed by feeling ‘energised‘ (32.7%). A total of 24.4% of patients reported ‘tiredness’ or ‘drowsiness’, with obvious implications for safety if the patient intended to drive after treatment”.
If you do need to drive after the treatment, please keep this in mind and drive safe.
If you still have more questions, please look at FAQ or contact us directly.