FAQ and What to Expect

Tips for Your Acupuncture Treatments:

1. Wear loose, comfortable fitting clothes that can be easily rolled up above your elbows and knees. Also, you may need to expose your abdomen from your rib cage to the top of your hips.
2. Be sure you have eaten at least a light meal within a few hours prior to arriving but avoid overeating immediately before treatment. Please note that acupuncture on an empty stomach increases the risk of nausea or dizziness during treatment.
3. Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated after your appointment. Avoid alcohol on the day of your treatment.
4. Avoid strenuous activity immediately following a treatment.
5. Although some individuals experience immediate relief from acupuncture, several acupuncture sessions may be needed to experience lasting effects of treatment. This is particularly true with chronic and complex conditions. An individual treatment plan will be developed for you. Please adhere to treatment number and frequency to achieve your best wellness outcomes.

What can I expect at my time visit?
Please arrive early for your first appointment. If possible, complete all intake forms online using the link that has been emailed to you. If you are not able to complete forms ahead of time, plan to arrive 15 minutes before your first appointment. During your first appointment, we will discuss your health concerns and medical history. I will ask you questions that are specific to your primary concern and questions regarding your general health. I will use this information to understand your body and design a treatment plan that is tailored to you. After we discuss your treatment plan, you may receive acupuncture or a combination of acupuncture and bodywork (medical massage or cupping) during your first appointment. Patients can expect 60-75 minute appointments on their first visit and 60 minute appointments for return acupuncture visits.
 
How does acupuncture feel?
Many new patients want to know what sensations to expect during acupuncture. Patients have described the feeling of the insertion of needles as a dull ache, tingling, a sensation of fullness, as sense of movement through the body, relaxation, or a sensation of tightness. That is all normal. Everyone responds differently to treatment. After treatment you may feel relaxed or possibly “spacey.” That is normal with acupuncture. Please allow enough time after treatment so that you are not rushing to your next commitment.

How can I set up an appointment?
Acupuncture, massage and cupping appointments can be booked online or by emailing sarah@belislewellness.com. If no appointments appear on the online booking site, please be sure to select if you are a new or existing patient and a service from the two drop-down menus.

How frequently should I receive acupuncture?
The frequency of acupuncture treatment depends on the individual patient. Although changes can occur after a single appointment,  long-term problems often require a series of appointments. The standard return office visit is 60 minutes long and includes acupuncture or a combination of acupuncture and bodywork. The option for shorter 45 minute return visits for those patients with financial or time constraints is available. I'm happy to discuss which return visit (60 or 45 minutes) is best for you at your appointment.