• What do I wear to a massage appointment?

  • Wear whatever you want! After I ask you some questions about what you would like to address in the session, I'll leave the room and you'll undress to your comfort level. Some go completely nude and some leave underwear on. 

• What do I wear to an acupuncture appointment?

  • Loose clothing is best so that I can have access to areas above the knee, on the chest, and above the elbow. If clothing is in the way of areas we need to access, I may ask if you could remove clothing before we start the session.​

• Do I tip you?

  • It is sincerely up to you. I see tips as gifts, therefore I charge an amount that reflects both the value of my services as well as what will support me. If money is tight, I would hate for you to decide against what is best for your healing journey because of the financial pressure a tip adds. There is no need to feel like your appreciation is not felt without a tip! 

• I got a treatment yesterday and today I woke up feeling like a wreck! Did you injure me?!

  • Not likely. While this is not the goal of bodywork, it can sometimes happen if it has been a long time since your last bodywork session, have a systemic condition such as Lyme disease/other autoimmune condition, or if life circumstances have lead you to be especially tight before the session. Deep-tissue massage as well as acupuncture can have similar soreness effects on the body as a heavy workout. Bodywork simultaneously brings blood and nutrients to the area that was worked on, as well as breaks up adhesions/scar tissue and lactic acid.  Both of these actions can cause inflammation, which causes the soreness.  It is possible for adhesions (muscle knots) to bind not only to muscles, but also too entrap nerves.  If an adhesion that was broken up did in fact entrap a nerve, a more intense pain will result post session. However once the inflammation has died down, the soreness will subside. As an added benefit, nerves will circulate more efficiently,  allowing for faster and more accurate feedback to your brain to prevent future overwork injury.  The best thing to do for inflammation is rest, so plan that the day of a massage, cupping, or acupuncture treatment will be a lower activity day-not one for muscle building activities like lifting or intense cardio. Soreness should subside within 3 days with the benefits of better circulation, less tension, and decreased pain intact. 

• What's the difference between Traditional Acupuncture and Dry Needling and Dao Needling?

  • Dry Needling is a technique taken from Traditional Acupuncture aimed at relaxing muscles by needling in the epicenter of a knot to cause a contraction which then causes a release allowing for more blood flow, the detoxification of built up waste, and pain relief. Dao Needling uses a differently shaped needle designed to break up scar tissue and adhesions (knots) from a wider surface. The aim is not to cause a contraction, though it may happen. The practitioner is with the patient for the entire session of Dao Needling, where there is meditation and needle retention time alone with Dry Needling. While both Dry Needling and Dao Needling are intense sensations, most patients prefer Dao for how quickly they feel more mobility, less pain, and for the lack of the shocking feeling Dry Needling induces. ​

• How many Acupuncture treatments will I need? Dao treatments?

  • This is all highly dependent on your condition, constitution, and how frequent you are able to get treatment. These timeframes are estimates. Each body heals differently, so there is potential for the need for longer treatment depending on the patient's needs and availability. 

    • For internal disorders like digestion, mental/emotional/spiritual concerns, insomnia, OBGYN, weekly treatments for 4-6 weeks to start, then backing off to 2x/month and 1x/month as we see fit. Treatment will move more quickly with the addition of herbs.​ Dao Needling is not a good fit for these issues

    • Musculoskeletal conditions:

      • Traditional acupuncture: weekly treatments for 4-8 weeks, then 2x/month and 1x/month as we see fit. Depending on the condition, herbs may be helpful in speeding the healing process.

      • Dao Needling: weekly treatments for 3-6 weeks with as needed massage, acupuncture, and Dao sessions as needed for maintenance. 

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