Frequently asked questions

Your first session begins with a comprehensive background interview about your health and any information that may be relevant to your condition. During this process, the practitioner will examine your tongue and check your pulse. Both of these steps provide the practitioner with insight into how the whole body is functioning. Following the comprehensive background interview, you will receive the first acupuncture treatment and suggestions for going forward. The entire session lasts about an hour and a half.
In acupuncture, a diagnosis is formed by information gathered from the comprehensive interview and observation. Any piece of information can confirm or contradict a possible diagnosis, so the more information collected, the more certain the diagnosis is. While some of the information may seem completely unrelated to the reason you came in, this information can be of vital importance in correctly determining your diagnosis and designing your treatment plan.
Needles are pre-sterilized, pre-packaged, one-time-use only. Needles are immediately disposed of after use. Acupuncture is a safe and virtually side-effect-free therapy. Occasional bruising or slight bleeding may occur which should resolve itself within a few days.

Acupuncture uses ultra-fine needles, which means that they are solid and thinner than the hollow needles used at doctor’s offices for injections. Sensations may differ depending on the style of acupuncture and the sensitivity of the patient. Commonly, patients report experiencing a prick similar to a bug bite, feeling a tingling, heaviness, or warmth. Certain points can be more sensitive than others; the practitioner tries not to use the painful points. However, there are times when using acupuncture at these points is the most effective. If you are sensitive to needles, let the practitioner know and he will make sure to balance your comfort with your treatment plans.

In general, acupuncture should be a calming and relaxing experience. A session (except for the first session) generally lasts between 30 minutes and an hour, where the patient often rests once the needles are inserted.

For the most part, practitioner works from your elbows and knees to your fingers and toes. In some situations, the practitioner feels it is more beneficial to use other acupuncture points on the body. Treatments are carried out in a private room.
Acupuncture needles are ultra-fine, and a treatment feels nothing like a hypodermic injection from your doctor. The practitioner works with new patients every day and some are not so keen on needles. Just let the practitioner know how you feel and he will make sure you are comfortable. Once patients give it a try, most of them find acupuncture can be relaxing.

Additional therapies may include the use of moxibustion, a herb (mugwort) that is burned like incense on or over an acupuncture point on the body. Cupping and light massage may also be applied during a treatment depending on your condition. Additionally, dietary and lifestyle changes may be recommended if appropriate to your condition.

Acute conditions often require more frequent treatments over a shorter period of time, while chronic conditions usually require treatments spaced out over a longer period of time. Though you may find some relief after one session, in order for long-lasting relief, multiple treatments are necessary. As a general rule, you always want to have your next treatment before your symptoms return to their original level.

The total number of sessions depends on several factors, including how long a person has had the condition, the patient’s lifestyle, and the frequency of treatment. Ideally, a patient is seen at least once to two times a week during the initial phase of treatment, although sometimes more frequent sessions will be recommended, depending on the condition.

After the first round of sessions, depending on the progress, treatments may be reduced to once every other week for a maintenance level for a certain period of time. After the initial evaluation phase (usually 4-6 treatments), a suggested treatment plan will be developed for the treatments going forward which is specific to you and your condition.

During your first visit, the practitioner will recommend a certain number and frequency of treatments before your condition is reassessed. An example of a typical recommendation is, “twice a week for 4 weeks.” Some patients are asked to come in more or less frequently depending on a variety of factors, including the patient’s health goals. Acupuncture treatments can take time to work and to provide lasting results. While some patients will feel immediate relief or a measurable lessening of symptoms with each treatment, this does not mean your condition is gone for good. A good analogy is the use of antibiotics in western medicine. With antibiotics, you are not asked to take a pill once. Instead you are prescribed a course of treatment that can last for days or weeks. You might feel markedly better after a short time, but you still need to complete the course of treatment. Acupuncture is the same, it slowly changes the way your body is balanced, and this is not something that typically happens in one treatment. Your body needs time to learn how to balance itself, so it won’t revert to its old ways.
Your first appointment can last from 1 to 1½ hours. Follow-up visits usually last 30 minutes to an hour.
Like most therapies, acupuncture is a cumulative process. Everyone’s body is different, but most people find some change after the first session and increasing improvement with subsequent sessions.
Treatments can be provided at your residence or workplace. Please contact me for more information.
Traditional Chinese medicine is one of the world’s oldest systems of medicine. It is comprised of acupuncture, Chinese herbal and other holistic modalities. Acupuncture involves the insertion of ultra-fine needles into various acupuncture points on the body.

Acupuncture is effective for an incredibly wide range of conditions. You can visit the “What is Acupuncture” page on this website for more information. Please feel free to contact me directly.

You are advised to check on the Reimbursements Overview for lists of insurances that do include acupuncture in their health insurance plans and/or speak with your insurance company directly.

The practice in the Netherlands is for you to pay for the treatments and seek the reimbursements from your insurance company. You will receive an invoice for you to send to your insurance company. Hence we do not bill your insurance company directly.

The accepted form of payment are cash or pin at the clinic.