Frequently Asked Questions
Does acupuncture hurt?
No, but it is not sensationless! The most common thing I hear people say is, “that feels SO weird.” It can feel dull, heavy, achy, tingly, sparkly, warm, relieving, clearing, twitchy, sometimes it feels like a big release, often you’ll hear digestive gurgles, occasionally it’s like having an itch you could never quite get to finally be scratched.
How often should I be getting acupuncture?
It really depends on what is going on with you and what our treatment planning looks like. Generally, if you are coming in for an injury or chronic illness, more frequent acupuncture (1-2x/week) for the first few weeks of us working together is ideal. If you are coming in for menstrual complaints, weekly or every other week (usually in conjunction with herbs) for 3 months will be our starting point. For most issues, weekly for 6-8 weeks is a good starting point, and then once we start to see changes we can reduce to every 2-3 weeks, monthly, or as-needed.
Why did you name it Loom?
Looms are tools of connecting threads into something strong and new. Looms can also mend. Acupuncture has always felt like a work of weaving to me: the meridians of the body (the Jing Luo) are often translated to “warp + weft,” and I’m using needles to connect, to mend, to weave something new together. There are myths of weavers in almost every folklore or cosmology, and the name is a callback to that ancient work and art, as well as to the fabric that connects past, present, and future.
What should I wear?
Generally, clothes that can roll up to the knee and elbows, but sometimes we’ll need to access your back or upper legs, and then articles of clothing may need to be removed. I have sheets for draping and covering sensitive areas.
What should I do to prepare or after a visit?
Fill out the intake form before your visit. This will help me spend more time discussing your case with you and on the treatment table, and make follow-ups easier. After, drink extra water and get good rest.
Can I come in for a treatment if nothing’s “wrong”?
Of course! Some people like going to acupuncture monthly or bi-monthly around the full moon/new moon cycles, some like to do it quarterly as the seasons change, or around the solstices, or just as needed.
What if I’m scared of needles?
That’s fine, we can start slow and only use a few, or use alternative therapies such as gua sha, cupping, moxibustion, or a non-insertive needle called a teishin. Just let me know ahead of time and we can keep checking in about it.