Your first visit During your first office visit, the practitioner may ask you at length about your health condition, lifestyle, and behaviors. The practitioner will want to obtain a complete picture of your treatment needs and behaviors that may contribute to your condition. It is important to inform the acupuncturist about all treatments or medications you are taking and all medical conditions you have. How acupuncture feels Prior to their first treatment, many people do not believe that acupuncture can be painless. Different sensations such as warmth or pressure may be felt, but the energetic sensation differs from pain. People often comment that the feeling is unfamiliar but pleasant and relaxing. Acupuncture needles are very fine, about the size of a hair. They are made of flexible metal and nothing is injected through them. Over the centuries, refined needle insertion techniques have been developed which enable the skilled acupuncturist to insert a needle with little or no sensation. A sensation similar to the feeling of acupuncture is the tap of a sharp pencil on your hand. Types of treatment Treatment with acupuncture needles is the most commonly used technique. However, acupuncturists may utilize other modalities such as individualized herbal prescriptions, dietary modifications, moxabustion (a form of heat therapy), lifestyle counseling, and various styles of massage, movement techniques and specific therapeutic exercises.

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