Information for Patients

Welcome. This is where new and returning patients will find a variety of useful information, including:

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. We look forward to speaking with you.

What to Expect: a typical Acupuncture treatment

Ella has a hands-on approach with her clients. She forms treatment plans based on presenting symptoms, medical history, tongue and pulse readings (standard tools in Chinese Medicine) and an informed understanding about the unique layers of each person’s state of health. Careful listening is an important and honored aspect of each treatment.

A typical treatment includes a few minutes of discussion, some massage or acupressure, and an acupuncture treatment. Sometimes Ella also uses a heat lamp, some cupping, different liniments, and perhaps some moxibustion or ear acupuncture. Standard practices are strictly adhered to – acupuncture treatments are done using only high quality, sterilized, single use disposable needles. If an herbal formula is prescribed, dosage and follow-up instructions will be discussed. Ella may also offer suggestions for things to do at home to further enhance and support the beneficial effects of the treatment.

Acupuncture is based on balancing the body’s meridians to assist the many functions of health and well-being. Given that each person’s condition is unique in that moment, the estimated time one should expect to spend in an appointment will vary. Most initial treatments are 60-90 minutes. Follow-up visits range from 45-90 minutes. If there is a need for a specific ending time, please let Ella know so she can try to accommodate your needs.

We strongly suggest that you plan to have some “down time” following your appointment to enjoy and integrate the relaxation and subtle changes that can take place during a treatment. Avoid rushing into another appointment or obligation, if at all possible.

Confidentiality

The integrity of confidentiality is a very high value for Ella, personally and professionally. Be assured that she is committed to guarding and protecting each patient’s privacy, both within and outside the clinic. There are a couple of scenarios wherein their strict boundaries around privacy are most commonly expressed:

First, much of this practice has been built by personal referral. As such, Ella may work with multiple family members and/or friends of patients. Please be aware that she will not communicate any information, including appointment dates or times, with anyone other than each patient directly. If you as a patient have a need or desire to disclose information or coordinate scheduling with a family member or friend, please do so directly with that person. Please do not assume or expect that Ella will join you in that conversation. Out of respect for your privacy, she will not.

Secondly, Ella does not make any assumption that a patient wants to be known in public by their health care provider. Should she happen to see a patient outside of the clinic setting, she will not initiate an interaction. This is quite different from the highly relational way of being that prevails in the clinic. Please know that this is an expression of respect for patient privacy. Should the patient wish to initiate an interaction, that is fine and welcome.

Cancellations

The standard policy for cancellations is 24 hours notice. If you need to cancel an appointment for any reason, please do so 24 hours (or more) in advance of your appointment time.

New Patient Intake Forms

We will ask you to complete a set of intake forms prior to or during your first visit. You can print the intake forms, complete them at home, and bring them to your Initial Treatment appoitment. Or, if that is not a convenient option for you, we will ask you to complete the intake forms in our office before your appointment begins.

If you opt to complete the forms in the clinic prior to your appointment, plan on arriving 20 minutes before the scheduled start time to allow enough time to fill out the paperwork before your appointment begins.