If you’ve never had acupuncture before, it’s completely normal to feel a bit unsure about what actually happens once you’re in the room. Here’s a straightforward walkthrough so you know what to expect before you arrive.
Before you come in
Wear loose, comfortable clothing that gives easy access to your limbs, back and shoulders — you may not need to fully undress, but tight jeans or restrictive clothing can get in the way of certain points. It’s also worth eating a light meal two or so hours beforehand; a heavy, fried or very spicy meal (or an empty stomach) right before a session isn’t ideal, and it’s best to go easy on caffeine so you’re not overstimulated during the treatment.
The consultation comes first — and it takes a while
Your first appointment typically runs 60-90 minutes, and most of that time isn’t needles at all — it’s conversation. Dr. Truth will ask about your medical history, current medications, the specific issue that brought you in, and a surprising number of seemingly unrelated things: sleep quality, digestion, stress levels, menstrual cycle if relevant, and general lifestyle. This isn’t small talk — in Chinese Medicine, these details all feed into identifying the underlying pattern driving your symptoms, not just the symptom itself.
You’ll likely also have your pulse checked (different pulse qualities indicate different organ system patterns) and your tongue briefly examined — both are standard diagnostic tools in Traditional Chinese Medicine, not unusual add-ons.
During the treatment
Once the assessment is done, treatment begins with placement of very thin, sterile, single-use needles at specific points relevant to your presentation — this might mean anywhere from a handful of points to considerably more, depending on what’s being addressed. Most people feel a brief pinch or dull sensation on insertion, followed by very little once the needle is in place. If you’re being treated for a specific musculoskeletal issue (see our page on acupuncture or trigger point and dry needling), you may also have motor point needling, electrostimulation, or high intensity laser therapy incorporated depending on what your assessment reveals.
After the needles are placed, you’ll typically rest quietly for 15-30 minutes while they do their work. Many people find this part unexpectedly relaxing — some drift off entirely.
After your session
Reactions vary. Some people leave feeling noticeably calmer or looser; others feel a little tired for the rest of the day, which is a normal response as the body processes the treatment. You may be given some simple lifestyle, dietary, or self-care recommendations relevant to your specific pattern — these are worth following, since they often reinforce what the needling is doing between sessions.
Will one session be enough?
Usually not, and we’ll be upfront about that. For most conditions — particularly anything that’s been present for a while, like sciatica, insomnia, or chronic stress — a short initial course of weekly sessions gives us (and you) a much clearer picture of how your body responds than a single one-off visit ever could.
Still have questions?
That’s completely normal for a first visit. Get in touch if you want to ask something before booking, or go straight ahead and book your first appointment — either way, we’ll walk you through everything again in person before we start.
