Iowa City Acupuncture   •   Acupuncture Services

Before your session, please do not come directly from a meal. Leave at least half an hour between eating and the time that the session begins. If you take medications, take your usual doses and let me know what you have taken that day.

When coming for acupuncture, you do not need to dress for the occasion. We usually have patients disrobe for treatment, and they are draped for privacy just as in professional massage. I have sheets and blankets to make you comfortable. The room is kept warm as most people get cool during the treatments.

At the first meeting, I will ask you to fill out a comprehensive questionnaire dealing with every area of your health. These are the questions normally asked in the process of making an Oriental Medicine diagnosis, whether for acupuncture or herbs. I will then interview you carefully about the things you have noted on your form and will take the time to answer all of your questions. It is important for you to feel comfortable with the acupuncture process and your relationship with me is critical to the effectiveness of your treatment and your progress during our work together.

I will do an examination of your pulses and your tongue, and will palpate your abdomen and acupuncture points on your body. We may also evaluate the condition of your meridians with the Electronic Meridian Imaging machine (EMI). This will help confirm my diagnosis and give me more information about your health. I will make a preliminary diagnosis and a treatment plan, including a selection of acupuncture points for you. Then, I will do a basic acupuncture treatment designed to open the flow of energy in the body and begin to treat your condition. It is an opportunity for you to see what acupuncture is like, and to see how you feel with me. It is also a time for me to see how you respond and to make note of any important things that you forgot to tell me, or of which you may not have been aware.

During the treatment you will lie on a table, like a massage table. The table is covered with a clean sheet for each person. You may lie on your back for the first part, and then turn onto your stomach for the treatment of points on your back. I will have you place your face in the face rest, if it is comfortable to do so. I can prop you if lying on the table is uncomfortable. I sometimes also treat people on their sides, or sitting up in the recliner chair, if need be. We often use needles in the ears to help you relax. I then will put needles into your feet and ankles, and often near your knees. The second area I use is the arms and wrists or hands. Lastly, I may place needles gently into or near an area of pain, if needed. There are points on every area of the body, but I try to avoid the very painful or sensitive areas. Needles are inserted anywhere from very shallow in the skin to deeper in the muscle (in the case of the buttocks, for instance), and I pay close attention to underlying anatomy to protect you from injury.

When the needles are inserted, people sometimes feel a tiny prick as they go through the skin. After this, the sensations are usually not painful. People often describe the sensation of acupuncture needles reaching the points in these ways: a feeling of numbness, dull ache, heaviness, distention, a zing, a tingle, an electrical sensation at the point or moving away from the point, a grab, or spasm. People find their own unique descriptions. I will ask what you feel in order to assess my effectiveness in delivering the treatment. Sometimes as they are removed, the needles stimulate the points once more. When you feel pain, burning or stinging that lasts for more than a second, the needle usually needs to be moved slightly. When inserted into the correct location, the insertion should be practically painless for most of the points on the body.

You will lie on the table for a total of from fifteen to forty-five minutes. This will depend on the number and location of the points, and whether you just want to rest longer. Occasionally people feel anxious and I am always near to remove the needles if it may become necessary.

Many people feel benefits of treatment immediately, while others may not notice a change for a day or two, or until after a couple of treatments. This probably depends on one's sensitivity to acupuncture, the length and severity of the illness, and what other treatment are being used. Some people find that they feel like resting or napping after the treatment. Others feel energetic and clear immediately. Patients are fine to drive themselves home.

I frequently refer clients to other practitioners for homeopathy, chiropractic care, nutrition, allopathic (traditional western scientific) medicine, physical therapy, craniosacral therapy, massage, and structural work such as Rolfing. I may also offer you traditional Chinese herbal formulas or supplements indicated by Oriental medicine analysis of your problem. We can discuss this at your session. Herbs are powerful medicine and should not be self-administered without guidance of a professional trained in the field.

In China, a course of treatment with acupuncture usually is made up of daily or every-other day treatments, ten in a row, from 20 to 60 treatments. Acupuncture is very inexpensive there (by our standards) and this makes it possible for people to have lots of treatments close together. Acupuncture is subtle in its effect, and like chiropractic care, often requires repeated treatments to establish the desired changes in your system. Therefore, for many problems, I suggest that people attend a session once per week for four weeks at least. We then reevaluate your progress and may go to bi-weekly visits. Together, we decide what is best for you. Many people come weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly for stress management, wellness, preventive care, or for maintenance care. In this way, acupuncture can be used like massage, as part of your wellness program.

I believe that you are the best expert on your health and health care needs. I expect that you take responsibility for your health. I will make recommendations, and it is your choice to follow them. You may find surprising things when you carefully monitor what makes you better and worse. Trust yourself and find health care providers that trust your assessment of yourself and want to work with you to establish optimal health. I will do everything I can to assist you in your pursuit of health and wellness.

I am always available to answer your questions, and though I don't pick up the phone if I am with a client when it rings at my office, I will listen to my messages frequently and return your call as soon as I am able. I have receptionists part time. I look forward to working with you if you choose to pursue this avenue of health care.