Initial Orientation:

• Clients should arrive at the scheduled appointment time.
• When you set up your first appointment, you will be given a password and instructions to fill out the applicable intake form(s).
• Please have all forms filled in and read prior to the first visit. This way you will have more time for your consultation and treatment.
• Forms can be found here.

Before/During your treatment:

• It is ideal that you not receive treatment on a totally empty or full stomach.
• Please wear or bring loose comfortable clothes.  Males can wear shorts or boxers.
• All complementary medicine has a cumulative effect. It may take several treatments for you to notice any change. Be patient with the process- chances are your symptoms didn’t occur overnight, so they won’t resolve overnight, either!

Acupuncture Treatment:

• The initial treatment takes 1-1.25 hours.  Follow up treatments take 45 minutes to an hour.
• A treatment consists of first talking with me about your symptoms and health concerns. I will take your pulse as part of the diagnosis and look at your tongue. Lastly, hair thin sterile and disposable pins will be inserted in different locations based on your diagnosis.
• Upon insertion, you may feel a slight pinch, tingling or an electrical sensation.  Once the pins are in place, most clients feel very relaxed or even fall asleep.
• I will develop a treatment plan with you. Usually clients receive treatment 1-2 times per week.

Chinese Herbal Treatment:

• Each Chinese herbal consultation takes approximately 30 minutes.  Following the consultation, I will study your case, create a custom prescription and order it for you to pick up.
• Each treatment consists of first talking with me about your symptoms. I will take your pulse and look at your tongue as part of the diagnosis process.
• Usually clients require bi-weekly evaluation of their herbal treatment.
• Instructions will be given to you on how to take your prescription and what the dosage should be.
• Some herbal formulas have distinctive tastes and odors.  Do not mix with sugar, tea or other substances unless we discuss it first- this could change the energetic properties of the herbs.
• Herbs have few if any side effects.  Please notify me of any changes in your medication or health status, or if you become pregnant. If you experience anything out of the ordinary, please call the clinic.

Health Insurance:

• BC healthcare does not presently cover acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine but since April 2008 they will cover acupuncture. Click here for more info.
• Most extended health plans, such as Blue Cross, do cover acupuncture.
• We do not directly bill the insurance company, so if you are entitled to coverage, you may seek reimbursement after the service. Use the registration number provided on your receipt.

Payment:

• We do not accept credit cards or debit interactions. Cash or cheque is fine. Proper receipt will be provided for payments.