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New Patient: What To Expect

Prior to your appointment you will be emailed forms to fill out.  Please take your time with these and be as thorough as you can. If you do not fill these out prior to your appointment please arrive 30 minutes early to fill them out in office.

If you would like to verify if your insurance covers acupuncture please follow the link above and fill out the form needed.  We are not in network with any insurance company at this time, however we are happy to provide you with a superbill if needed.  We will contact you as soon as your benefits have been verified if you have an appointment scheduled with us.

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The initial health intake last about 1.5 hours long.  In Five Element tradition this is referred to as the Traditional Diagnosis.  Here we will discuss your goals and do a thorough medical history and physical examination.  We will examine your tongue and feel your pulse on both wrists to help us arrive at your diagnosis.  This part of your appointment will take about 45 minutes. You will then be asked to remove your shoes and socks and to lay down face up on the treatment table.  The practitioner will then administer your treatment that wil last the remaining 20-45 minutes.  

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If you are working with our team and taking the integrative approach the intake is 2 hours long. Keri, our excellent functional nutritionist will take a detailed history during the first hour.  The second hour, Dr. Roper will come in and do the remaining of the the history from a chinese medicine lense.  She will then administor your first acupuncture treatment.

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The first treatment will consist of a series of acupuncture points that will be left in for approximately 20-30 minutes and a TDP lamp may be placed over a part of the body.  Once the needles are all placed, you will be given a pager in case you need the practitioner for any reason. They will leave the room so that you can use this time to clear your mind, relax, meditate, sleep, or listen to the soft music playing.

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After the 20-30 minutes is up, your practitioner will re-enter the room and remove the needles.  They may add a few points, that will be in and out, to finish the treatment and they will typically feel your pulses at the end of treatment.

Dr. Roper will talk to you about a treatment plan. This will consist of what the course of treatment looks like. It can involve the recommended amount of treatments needed, any lifestyle changes, labs needed,  dietary recommendations, supplement needs, and herbal prescription if needed in your particular case.

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If you are working with the team, Keri will supply you with materials to get you started on your first goals in your healing journey and she will work up a personalized plan that will be ready for you by your next session.

• Fill out your paperwork or arrive 30 minutes early to your scheduled appointment with a list of medications and supplements you are currently taking.

• It is important that you eat something prior to your appointment and avoid caffeine, alcohol and yogurt (or anything that colors the tongue.  Caffeine can weaken the effects of treatment.

• Please wear loose clothing or bring a change of clothes with you.  It is important to be able to access acupuncture points all over the body.  If this is difficult there will be a sheet drape available.

• Please refrain from heavy makeup and heavy perfumes.  Some patients are sensitive to smells and it could interfere with clarity in diagnosis.

• Do not schedule anything strenuous after your appointment and refrain from drinking alcohol after your appointment.

• Please finish any emails, texts, and phone calls prior to your appointment and turn your phone off during session.  This is a time for you to heal and disconnect from the busy world around us.

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