Acupuncture is a holistic medicine, meaning it's a type of therapy that considers the body as a whole. During the first session, we'll discuss the reason for your consultation and also go over your general state of health. Physical and emotional health are closely linked, and in our medicine, everything is of interest to us and becomes a potential clue to guide us. However, this is not talk therapy, and we won't go into intimate details; no personal disclosure is necessary or even desired! During follow-up treatments, there will be less discussion and more time for the treatment itself.

In Saam acupuncture, we generally use 4 needles located between the knees/feet or elbows/hands, on one side of the body. Sometimes we add 2 or 4 more. The treatment itself lasts between 20 and 25 minutes and can take place with soft music or in silence, in a calm atmosphere. The treatment time is shorter than other types of acupuncture because we get the desired effect faster, no need for more!

The needles used are single-use, sterile, and much finer than the needles used for blood draws or vaccines. You'll feel a sensation upon insertion, since the needle passes through the skin barrier, which is richly innervated. This sensation gradually fades over the course of the treatment, giving way to a light buzzing feeling, like a purr. The nervous system settles, and there may be small tingling or warm sensations that come and go. This is the sensation of qi and blood circulating through the channels.

Preferably comfortable, loose-fitting clothing, but sheets and a blanket will be provided if needed.

Acupuncture can be helpful for prevention or to support the body when it's experiencing imbalances. The most common reasons for consultation vary widely:

• Anxiety

• Insomnia

• Headaches and migraines

• Digestive issues

  • Irritable bowel syndrome

  • Heartburn, acid reflux

  • Bloating

  • Constipation / diarrhea

• Acute or chronic pain

  • Back pain

  • Shoulder pain

  • Knee pain

  • Buttock pain, sciatic nerve

• Menstrual disorders

• Skin problems

• Chronic illnesses

• Allergies

• Exhaustion

Feel free to write to me if you have any questions about your situation!

Acupuncture isn't magic. It's a gentle medicine that works over time, and it requires a certain consistency if you want to see significant results. Just think about how long it took for imbalances to settle into your body, or the biological processes the body has to go through to heal or regenerate. Acupuncture supports the body, but it's the body that does the work!

I pretty much always give the same answer. In an ideal world (a world where neither time nor money is an issue), I would start working with every new client with 5 consecutive treatments, one per week. This allows us to send a clear message to the body to shift its dynamic. After these 5 sessions, we reassess and see whether we can space out the treatments or whether a few more are needed. Every body is different, and each person's living conditions also play a role in the healing process.

Unfortunately, with fewer treatments or a more spaced-out schedule, the condition may return or the healing may stall. That's why I've introduced a sliding price scale for my services: I'd rather help you get real results than see you once and only partially resolve the problem. That being said, you ultimately decide how you want to proceed, and I’m happy to help!

Yes! And if you don't have insurance, you can keep the receipts and include them as expenses on your tax return.