Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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 get to finally scratched.
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 blankets for draping and covering sensitive areas while providing access to specific 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.