First Visit

Starting acupuncture can feel like stepping into something new—and that’s a good thing. At Big Easy Acupuncture, our goal is to guide you through a step-by-step process rooted in both tradition and modern clinical practice so you can feel confident in your care and start seeing results.

Your First Visit: Assessment + Treatment

Initial appointments generally last 30 to 50 minutes. This session includes:

What To Expect

• A comprehensive health history: We’ll explore your symptoms, stress levels, past injuries, digestion, sleep, and more. This gives us insight into patterns behind your condition—not just your symptoms.
• An EXSTORE orthopedic exam: We use muscle strength testing and range-of-motion assessments to pinpoint dysfunction and guide your treatment plan. This step helps us track results with real, measurable data.
• A personalized treatment plan: Based on your history and physical findings, we’ll outline your course of care, expected timeline, and the tools we’ll use to get results.
• Your first acupuncture treatment: Once your plan is explained, we’ll begin your initial needling session, sometimes combined with additional therapies.

Follow Up appointments start with updates from the previous visit and we continue treatment based upon updates, progress, and assessment.

Your Treatment Plan: A Collaborative Process

After your initial session, your treatment plan will include:

• Your diagnosis and assessment based on TCM and orthopedic principles
• A breakdown of muscle dysfunction, mobility restrictions, or energetic imbalances
• A recommended treatment frequency and timeline (usually starting with 6 visits over 3 weeks for most orthopedic or stress-related conditions)
• A list of modalities used (acupuncture, herbs, manual therapy, etc.)
• Clear progress markers so you know what we’re working toward

Each treatment builds on the previous one—just like physical therapy or strength training. Skipping or delaying appointments may slow your results.

How Acupuncture Works During Treatment

Acupuncture involves placing fine, sterile needles into specific points on your body to activate healing responses in the nervous, circulatory, and muscular systems.

Each point is chosen based on your specific condition. For example:

• If you’re experiencing chronic shoulder pain, we may target both local motor points and distal channels related to inflammation or stress.
• If you’re struggling with fatigue or anxiety, we may focus on nervous system regulation points to shift your body into a rest-and-repair state.

You may also receive complementary therapies as needed:

• Cupping for tissue release and lymphatic drainage
• Gua Sha / Tui-Na for myofascial tension and circulation
• Herbal medicine to support internal healing between visits

Getting the most out of treatment

For the best treatment results, keep a few things in mind:

• Please show up on time
• Don’t eat a large meal before your visit
• Wear loose, comfortable clothes to allow access to treatment areas
• Take time to breathe and relax during your visit
• Be sure to discuss any questions or concerns with your acupuncturist
• Refrain from overexertion, drugs or alcohol for at least six hours after treatment
• Follow your treatment plan between visits
• Keep all of your appointments, as each visit builds upon the previous ones

Your role in the healing process

Your actions are a key component of your treatment plan. Focusing on your health and committing to a healthy lifestyle are the best steps you can take for your well-being. Together, you and your acupuncturist can heal your imbalances and help you achieve harmony and balance.

Even after your symptoms are resolved, acupuncture can assist you in maintaining your health, and possibly prevent future imbalances. The more you incorporate acupuncture and TCM into your life, the more you’ll learn to nurture your body, mind and spirit.