How does a consultation take place?

Before the consultation: 

• Please read the information about acupuncture.
• Come 15 minutes early to answer a complete questionnaire on your state of health.
• Your blood pressure and pulse rate will be taken before the consultation.

During the consultation: 

Dr. Chang will establish your health and energy balance through questions about your symptoms, habits and emotions. She will conduct a physical examination, through palpation of your pulse (Chinese pulse), palpation of painful points, as well as examination of your tongue. This information will allow her to determine if the balance between the energies (correct and perverse) is respected and if not, a diagnosis will be made and a treatment plan will be proposed.

Acupuncture treatment: 

• You will be asked to lie on your stomach or on your side or even to sit down depending on the acupuncture points and the underlying pathology.
• About 10-15 needles will be used. Acupuncture is not painful. The treatment may induce a dull sensation, a contracture, local heat or an electrical discharge.
• It is important to warn as soon as this stimulation is too unpleasant or unbearable. The duration of the treatment is 20 to 30 minutes. The needles will be removed after this period. Acupuncture is not a magic remedy, it often takes a minimum of 3 to 6 sessions for the effects to be felt and to last.

After the consultation: 

It is normal to feel tired or relaxed after an acupuncture session. It is advisable to drink hot drinks and rest properly. Slight bleeding may occur once the needles are removed. You can simply press it down to stop the bleeding. If there is a blood stasis, it will be absorbed automatically after 5 to 7 days without special treatment. On acupuncture points, there may be a feeling of swelling, heaviness, local cramp, like after a sports session. This is a normal phenomenon that usually disappears automatically after 2 to 3 days. After an acupuncture session, do not swim or touch contaminated water for two hours.

What happens during a treatment session (45-60 minutes): 

• Feedback on the previous session
• Pulse/tongue measurement
• Treatment (20 minutes)