What to Know

We are pleased to announce that we are seeing patients – on site for acupuncture and via telemedicine for consultations. We have put in place all essential safety measures in accordance with CDC Covid-19 guidelines. We ask for your patience as we continue to work to ensure the safety of our patients and staff.

Our integrative approach is so much more than just acupuncture. Please watch the “Clinic Tour” video for more detailed information about our processes. Susannah Freeman, LAc describes our clinic offerings in the “Welcome to Great Turning Healing Center” video.

And, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your continued loyalty.

To be healthy is to learn to listen to our bodies at a deep level.

Initial Assessment

Your first visit will begin with an in-depth assessment of your condition and an initial treatment. The intake and treatment usually takes 90 minutes, depending on your condition. Typical follow-up treatments last approximately 60 minutes.

During the assessment, you may be asked about things that you might not think are connected to your chief complaint, such as your emotions, sleeping patterns, and eating habits. Chinese medicine considers the whole person, not just one isolated symptom. When put together, the myriad of symptoms and signs you are experiencing reveal patterns of disharmony. Although treatment will focus on your chief complaint, your whole being must be considered in order to develop the most appropriate course of treatment. Chinese medicine is unique in that it appreciates that illnesses may be identical, but the persons suffering from them are individuals. Once I have your assessment, we can address other health issues in addition to your chief complaint if you so choose.

Treatment

Needles are typically retained for about 30 minutes. Soothing music will be played to help you relax during this time – many people fall asleep during treatment. In addition to acupuncture, treatments may also include heat therapy, herbal prescriptions, nutritional supplements, and diet and lifestyle advice.

What to Expect After Treatment

Your relief may be immediate, delayed for a few hours, or even develop after one to three days. The relief may last for a few hours on the first visit and then last longer with each successive treatment. Individual response to treatment varies but the goal is to resolve or greatly improve the condition that brought you in for care.

Side Effects

Side effects are rare, but may include the following: lightheaded sensation, dizziness, sleepiness, euphoria, nausea, slight bruising, residual muscle aches. If present at all, these should last only a short time. To prevent or minimize side effects, drink water, rest and eat a healthy meal. If you have questions or concerns about any aspect of your treatment, I want you to call or email me so we can discuss it.

Flare-up

On rare occasions, one’s original symptoms may briefly get worse, or “flare-up,” after a treatment. A flare-up typically occurs later on the day of your treatment and should only last for a few hours. After a flare-up, your symptoms should begin to improve. Again, if you have questions or concerns, I want you to call or email me. In the long run, acupuncture does not make symptoms worse.

In some conditions, the body must fully expel a pathogen in order for healing to occur. For example, if you have a cold, acupuncture will not get rid of the cold, but it can help accelerate the cold cycle so your body recovers faster. If you are fatigued and beginning to get a cold, acupuncture can help your body fight it off.

In cases of chronic pain, your original pain may improve and then unmask less obvious pain in the surrounding areas.

Course of Treatment

As part of your first visit, you will receive a customized treatment plan detailing an appropriate course of treatment for your specific condition. In general, acute conditions of recent onset may only require two or three treatments. Chronic conditions usually require more treatments to achieve sustained results.

The ideal approach to illness is to begin treatment as soon as possible. The sooner you seek help, the easier it is to treat. For longstanding illnesses, weekly treatments may be required for several months in order to have a curative effect. For patients dealing with seasonal allergies or planning on undergoing surgery or many other Western medical treatments, it is recommended that acupuncture and/or herbal treatments be started in advance of medical treatment. However, many patients don’t learn of the benefits of Chinese medicine until they are already undergoing medical treatment. In that case, it is best to start acupuncture and/or herbs as soon as possible.

Once you initiate a healing process, it is important to follow through on treatments. The more consistent you are, the better the likelihood of results. The effects of acupuncture tend to be cumulative. After you are feeling better, a few additional treatments may be recommended. In Chinese medicine, this is referred to as “solidifying the constitution.” The goal is to further strengthen your body to prevent recurrence of the illness. Your body is most vulnerable following recovery from illness because it has expended much of its energy and internal resources in order to get better. It is therefore important to have a few treatments in order to prevent repeated or new illness. In general, when an illness recurs it is often more difficult to treat.

Preparing for Your Treatment

The following suggestions are provided to help you have a safe and relaxing experience with acupuncture. Please read this section carefully. If you have any questions, please ask me prior to your first visit.

• Please bring a list of current medications you are taking, including any prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements, and vitamins.
• Please bring any lab or medical reports relevant to your condition.
• Eat a light meal a few hours prior to your visit. Acupuncture is not performed on individuals who are fasting.
• Being over-hungry increases the risk of nausea or dizziness. At the same time, please do not overeat or eat any foods that cause your stomach to be upset (for example, rich, greasy, fried, or extremely spicy foods).
• Avoid alcohol on the day of your treatment. Acupuncture is not performed on intoxicated individuals. It is also not advisable to become intoxicated shortly after treatment.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Acupuncture points are located all over the body. Many of the acupuncture points that are commonly used are located on the arms and legs. You will be more comfortable if your clothing can be easily rolled up to your elbows and knees.
• Our clinic is unique in that we not only help you feel better, we also provide you with the tools to better take care of yourself. If you are in pain, this may include training in how to make yourself comfortable in a seated or lying position, using pillows and props and teaching neutral positions that promote healthy posture. We will train you in this during your treatments so you can set up your home environment and work station and make progress in your health.