If you've never had acupuncture before, not knowing what will happen can be the hardest part. So here's a first appointment with me, step by step, to help you arrive feeling prepared.
Your first appointment is a consultation lasting up to 1.5 hours, and it costs £45. It runs longer than later sessions because there's a lot to talk about.
Step 1: Before you arrive
A few simple things help the appointment go smoothly.
- Eat something beforehand, so you don't arrive hungry. If you do feel hungry, thirsty or too warm during the session, just tell me.
- Wear comfortable, loose clothing that rolls up easily at the arms and legs, so the points can be reached without fuss.
- Bring a list of your medication. This matters most if you take blood thinners, which call for extra care with acupuncture.
Step 2: Arriving
My clinic is appointment only and attached to my home in Alderman's Green, Coventry. I'll welcome you in, and there's no waiting room full of strangers, just a quiet, private space.
Step 3: The conversation
Most of your first appointment is spent talking. As the British Acupuncture Council puts it, a BAcC acupuncturist "will take your medical history, read your pulses, may examine the site of your symptoms, and look at your tongue."
I'll ask about your health now and in the past, any treatment you're having from your GP or hospital, your sleep, appetite and energy, and what's going on in your life more generally. Five Element acupuncture takes a broad view of the person, so some of my questions may seem unexpected. You only share what you're comfortable sharing.
Acupuncture isn't a substitute for medical care. If anything you mention needs a doctor's attention, I'll tell you.
Step 4: Traditional Five Element assessment
In the Five Element tradition, taught in the UK by Coventry-born J.R. Worsley, practitioners pay attention to subtle signs as well as your words. Each element is traditionally linked with a colour, a sound, an odour and an emotion, and the practitioner notices these while building a picture of you as an individual. As one article on Worsley's teaching puts it, "no two patients are ever treated the same."
These ideas come from traditional Chinese medicine rather than proven physiology, but they shape how a Five Element acupuncturist works, and many people enjoy being listened to in this unhurried way.
Step 5: Treatment, if appropriate
If it's suitable, you may have some treatment during this first appointment. I'll always explain what I'm planning and check you're happy before starting.
The needles are single-use, sterile and very fine. Most people don't feel them going in, and a mild tingle or dull ache as a needle is adjusted is quite normal. Some needles are in for just a second or two, while at other times you may rest for a while with them in place. Many people find this part deeply relaxing.
Step 6: Afterwards
Some people feel a little dizzy or tired after acupuncture, though this usually passes quickly, and occasionally there's a small bruise where a needle was. If you feel tired or unwell, don't drive until you feel well again. It's a good idea to leave a little breathing space in your day after your first session.
Step 7: Planning next steps
Before you leave, you can talk with me about whether further sessions make sense. Weekly sessions are quite usual to begin with, perhaps for five or six treatments, and then they become less frequent over time. There's no obligation to book more, and I'd rather you take time to decide.
A few common questions
- Can I bring someone with me? Yes, if it helps you feel comfortable. Just let me know when booking.
- What if I'm nervous about needles? Tell me. I can explain each step, and you can pause at any time.
- Are evening or weekend appointments available? Yes, which can make it easier to fit around work.
You'll find more practical details, including how to book, on my first visit page.