After filling out a questionnaire about your overall health, the practitioner will ask you questions that may seem unrelated to the reason you are there, but the answers help to develop a more complete picture of your health and form the basis for the Oriental medicine diagnosis.

The practitioner may look at your tongue, and take your pulse on both of your wrists to confirm this diagnosis. Then, depending on the assessment, you may be asked to lay face up or face down, and needles will be inserted according to the diagnosis. Many of the points are below the elbows and below the knees, and if the need arises to get undressed, you will be fully draped to keep you warm and protect your modesty.

There may be times that a liniment is used, or a heat lamp, or moxa (mugwort) may be burned above the skin. While needles are usually left in between 15 and 25 minutes, occasionally the amount of time will vary. Sessions will probably vary as your condition changes and improves.