what kind of needles are used?

The needles are single-use, sterile, and stainless steel. They are completely solid, we are not injecting anything or taking anything out. They are hair thin, and discarded after each treatment in a needle-safe container.

what is an acupuncture point?

It is the meeting point of nerve, lymph, and blood vessels along connective tissue which when stimulated by a needle, triggers our body's natural healing responses.

does it hurt?

No! It should not hurt, we always make sure you’re comfortable and can completely relax for the duration of your treatment. Some common sensations you can feel are: pressure, warmth, tingling, electricity, heaviness, muscle twitching, and most commonly — ZEN!

how often should I be coming?

Each acupuncture treatment is specified to the patient and their individual wants and needs. However, acupuncture is a cumulative medicine - the more you come the more results you'll see. We recommend coming once a week for 5-7 weeks in the beginning to see a build up of results. Once we get to a point where you're comfortable, we can taper off appointments. The goal is for you to feel so good you come once a month for maintenance!

are there any side effects / is it safe?

Some common side effects are small bruising at the needle insertion, itchy skin at insertion, relaxation after a treatment. You can experience a worsening of symptoms before improvement, but if that happens, we usually see improvement within 24-48 hours. Dizziness can occur if prone to it, so we want to make sure to stay hydrated before and after an appointment. And yess, acupuncture is extremely safe when performed by a licensed acupuncturist. However, some health conditions may make it inadvisable, so make sure to let your practitioner know of any health conditions.

what is an appointment like and how should I prep?

Your initial acupuncture appointment at Better Days Wellness is 1.5 hours long, and consists of a detailed health intake, with a primary focus on your chief complaint. Once we are done discussing, I take a look at your tongue and pulse to help further diagnose, and then we start needling! Once all of the needles are in and you are comfortable, I leave the room and you rest with the needles in for 25-30 minutes. After the time is up, your needles are removed, we answer any follow-up questions you might have, and you are good to go!

Prepping for an appointment is easy! All you need to do is bring water and make sure to stay hydrated before and after, wear loose clothing, and have some sort of food in your system. You’ve got this!