Your first acupuncture appointment: what to expect

Your first appointment with Dr. Tian takes about an hour. It starts with a 30-minute health consultation, in which she examines your pulse and tongue and makes a diagnosis according to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). That is followed by around 30 minutes of acupuncture. The first visit costs SEK 1,400. Most people find the needles much less noticeable than they expected, and many relax so deeply that they drift off.

Here is what happens, step by step. The consultation can be held in English, Swedish or Chinese.

Before you come

There is not much to prepare, but a few things make the visit easier for you and for Dr. Tian.

• Eat something light 1–2 hours beforehand. Don’t arrive hungry, but avoid a large meal just before. You are less likely to feel light-headed.
• Wear comfortable clothes. Choose sleeves and trouser legs that roll up easily above the elbow and knee. Needles are often placed in the forearms, lower legs, back or neck.
• Bring a list of your medicines, including anything bought over the counter and any supplements.
• Leave your tongue as it is. The tongue is an important part of the diagnosis, so don’t brush it that morning, and avoid coffee, tea, sweets and anything else that stains it shortly before your visit.
• Tell Dr. Tian if you are pregnant, take blood-thinning medication or have a pacemaker. This affects which points and methods she uses. If you are unsure whether something matters, mention it anyway.

Try to arrive a few minutes early so you have time to settle in. Directions are on the contact page.

During the appointment

The conversation

The visit begins with a conversation. Dr. Tian asks about your symptoms: when they started, what makes them better or worse and how they affect your daily life. She will also ask about your sleep, digestion, energy and stress levels. In TCM these are connected, and your answers help her see the pattern behind your symptoms.

Pulse and tongue

Next, she takes your pulse at both wrists and looks at the colour, shape and coating of your tongue. Pulse and tongue diagnosis is at the heart of TCM. Together with the conversation, it gives her a diagnosis, and that is what she uses to choose the acupuncture points. Two people with the same complaint may therefore receive quite different treatments.

She will also explain how she sees your problem and roughly how many treatments she expects you to need.

The needles

Dr. Tian uses sterile, single-use needles that are opened for your treatment and thrown away afterwards. They are far finer than needles used for injections, and most people feel only a brief prick as each one goes in.

Once a needle is in place, you may feel heaviness, warmth, tingling or a dull ache around the point. In TCM this sensation is called deqi, and it is perfectly normal. Tell her straight away if anything hurts or feels uncomfortable, and she will adjust the needle.

Resting

You then lie still and rest with the needles in, usually for 20–40 minutes. The room is quiet, and many people nod off for a while.

Afterwards

• Take it easy for the rest of the day. Avoid strenuous exercise and alcohol.
• You may feel tired. Many people feel relaxed and a little sleepy afterwards. If you feel light-headed, sit for a while before you leave.
• A small bruise sometimes appears where a needle has been. It clears up on its own.
• Cupping marks fade. If you have had cupping, for example as part of a combination treatment, it can leave round marks on the skin. They are harmless and fade within a few days.
• Your symptoms may feel stronger for a day or two after a treatment. Contact Dr. Tian if anything worries you.

Acupuncture is a complement to the care you already receive. Carry on with any medicines and treatment you have been prescribed.

How many sessions will I need?

That depends on what you are coming for and how long you have had it. In Dr. Tian’s experience, many people notice a difference after 5–6 treatments. A typical course is 6–12 visits, often once or twice a week to begin with and then further apart.

Recent problems usually need fewer visits than long-standing ones, such as recurring migraine, back pain, sleep problems or prolonged stress.

Nobody can predict how your body will respond. That is why you review your progress together after a few sessions and adjust the plan.

Prices and booking

• Acupuncture, first visit: SEK 1,400, 60 minutes including the health consultation.
• Health consultation: SEK 550, 30 minutes, if you would rather start with the conversation and diagnosis.
• Acupuncture, follow-up: SEK 1,050, 50 minutes.

On Saturdays there is a supplement of SEK 180.

You can pay by Swish, card or Epassi. Appointments are booked through Bokadirekt, where Dr. Tian sees patients at Eriksbergs Hälsoklinik, so that is the name you will see when you book. If you need to cancel or move your appointment, do it in Bokadirekt at least 24 hours in advance. Later cancellations and missed appointments are charged in full.

Book an appointment or read more about treatments and prices. If you have questions before booking, many of them are answered in the FAQ.