Preparing for Your Visit

City Acupuncture of New York is a community style practice. This means that we treat up to 5 patients at the same time in comfortable reclining chairs in an open and soothing space.

Whenyou first enter, someone will greet you and give you initial paperwork to fill out. This includes a Welcome Letter that explains our policies and procedures (that must be signed) and a Health History Questionnaire. This Health History Questionnaire is fairly long, so if you prefer, feel free to download a copy here and fill it out before your visit.

When you are done with the paperwork, an acupuncturist will come and greet you and take you into a private treatment room for the intake. The acupuncturist will review your forms and ask any questions they may need in order to establish a diagnosis. They will feel your pulse and look at your tongue. Once the diagnosis is established, the acupuncturist will lead you into the larger community room. You will find a recliner, lay back and get comfortable. There will be soft music playing and other patients already asleep with needles in.

The acupuncturist will insert the needles (usually around 10) on your arms, legs and head. We use only sterile, single-use needles and we dispose of the needles immediately after treatment. If it is absolutely necessary to access your chest or abdomen for treatment, you will be treated in the private intake room - we never ask patients to disrobe in the community space.

Once the needles are in place, your body may tingle or feel warm. Most people fall asleep. These are normal responses. Some people say they feel very relaxed when they are having a treatment; others don't feel much at all. Even if you don't feel much, you are getting benefit from treatment. There may be a brief pain as the needle first passes through the skin. This should pass quickly.

After the needles are inserted, the acupuncturist will leave you to relax. If anything is uncomfortable or you need to speak to the acupuncturist, we ask that you use soft voices so as not to bother the other patients.

After about 30 minutes, the acupuncturist will remove the needles and dispose of them. When you are ready, you will collect your belongings and return to the waiting room. The acupuncturist will hand you a prescription that details the recommended course of acupuncture (i.e. come 2x a week for the next two weeks) as well as any herbal formulas for you to take. The formulas can be purchased at the reception desk, and your next appointment can be made as well. Click here If you would like more information on our rates.