Acupuncture needles are actually very thin – the thinnest are as wide as a human hair. Modern acupuncture needles are made from ultra fine stainless steel. They are sterile, non-toxic, disposable and only used once. Acupuncture generally is not a painful procedure. You may feel a momentary prick as the needles are inserted, then a slight sensation of heaviness, tingling, or a feeling of warmth around the needle. This is the desired effect, indicating that the body is responding properly to achieve a balanced state. The needles usually stay in place for 20 to 30 minutes depending on the condition.

Lauren is trained in both Japanese and Chinese needling techniques. Japanese needling is more shallow and subtle, but both techniques are effective. Lauren guages what is most suitable for each individual patient and the condition being treated. Even the most sensitive patients are pleasantly surprised to discover they barely feel any sensation at all during treatment. In fact, they report that the experience is actually quite relaxing and pleasurable. Many people even fall asleep during a treatment.

For acute conditions, one can feel results immediately after treatment. For example, in an acute pain situation one can feel up to 75 percent better after the first visit, and may just need one more follow-up visit. I usually recommend a treatment plan of between 4 to 6 sessions, either once or twice a week. Acupuncture is most effective when done consistently over a period of time as each treatment builds upon the previous one. For more chronic conditions, the number of treatment sessions may be longer, and this depends on the condition, as well as the general health and lifestyle habits of the individual. Herbs and supplements are also recommended for more chronic conditions to nourish the body at a deeper level.

I recommend having a small meal prior to treatment with no caffeine or alcohol that day. It is a good idea to wear loose, comfortable clothing so that needles can be placed easily along the limbs. Prior to your first visit, I recommend filling out the health forms which inquire about your reason for seeking acupuncture, your prior health history as well as your family medical history. If it is not possible to download and print your forms online, then I suggest coming in 15 minutes early so we can devote as much time as possible to your diagnosis and treatment. I also recommend bringing in other pertinent medical information such as blood labs or imaging results, or having them faxed over by your physician.

• The initial treatment lasts 1.5 hours and subsequent treatments last 1 hour.
• At each visit, time is allotted to check in on the patient’s progress and address any concerns or questions.
• The tongue and pulses are checked as well. Then a treatment protocol is written out and the actual acupuncture treatment begins.

Lauren uses this information to formulate a diagnosis and treatment principle based on “pattern differentiation” and the “eight principles” of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). If you would like to learn more about these concepts, just ask!

Then we will schedule a follow-up series of treatments. The duration of treatment depends on the nature of the condition. Typically, a series of treatments lasts 4-6 weeks with a re-evaluation. Lauren uses an array of modalities of TCM that are appropriate for that particular client.