Welcome New Patients
We're excited to welcome you to ZenAIth! Here's everything you need to know to prepare for your first visit and begin your wellness journey.
What to Expect on Your First Visit
Your first acupuncture appointment is an important foundation for your healing journey. We take time to truly understand you—not just your symptoms, but your whole health picture. Here's what will happen:
Comprehensive Health History (20-30 minutes)
Dr. Chen will ask detailed questions about your primary health concern, medical history, lifestyle, diet, sleep patterns, stress levels, digestion, energy, and emotional well-being. We'll discuss previous treatments you've tried and what has or hasn't worked. This comprehensive intake helps us understand the root causes of your condition, not just the symptoms.
Please bring a list of all medications, supplements, and herbs you're currently taking, along with any recent test results or medical reports relevant to your condition.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis (10 minutes)
Dr. Chen will examine your tongue (shape, color, coating) and take your pulse at both wrists. These traditional diagnostic techniques provide valuable information about your internal health, organ function, and energetic patterns. She may also palpate (gently press) areas of your body to assess tenderness, temperature, and tissue quality.
This examination is painless and non-invasive. You'll remain fully clothed except for removing shoes and socks so we can access points on your feet and legs.
Treatment Plan Discussion (10 minutes)
Based on your health history and examination, Dr. Chen will explain her diagnosis from both traditional Chinese medicine and Western perspectives. She'll recommend a treatment approach, discuss realistic expectations, and create a personalized plan tailored to your specific needs and goals.
This is your opportunity to ask questions about the treatment process, expected timeline, and anything else you're curious about. We want you to feel informed and comfortable with your care plan.
Your First Acupuncture Treatment (30 minutes)
You'll lie comfortably on a cushioned treatment table (face up, face down, or side-lying depending on the points used). Dr. Chen will clean the treatment areas with alcohol and insert hair-thin needles into specific acupuncture points. Most people feel minimal sensation—perhaps a slight pinch or tingling.
The needles remain in place for 20-30 minutes while you rest. Many patients fall asleep during this time! Soft music, dimmed lights, and a comfortable temperature create a deeply relaxing environment. Dr. Chen will check on you periodically and be nearby if you need anything.
Post-Treatment Discussion & Next Steps (5-10 minutes)
After removing the needles, Dr. Chen will discuss any sensations you experienced, answer questions, and provide lifestyle recommendations to support your healing between sessions. You'll schedule your next appointments and receive any herbal medicine prescriptions if appropriate.
Total first visit time: 75-90 minutes. You'll leave with a clear understanding of your condition, treatment plan, and next steps.
How to Prepare for Your Visit
Before Your Appointment
Don't come on an empty stomach or overly full. Having some food in your system helps you feel more comfortable and prevents lightheadedness during treatment.
Proper hydration supports your body's healing response and helps you feel your best during treatment. Aim for at least 8 ounces of water before arriving.
Clothing that can be easily rolled up to access your arms, legs, back, and abdomen is ideal. Avoid tight jeans, restrictive waistbands, or one-piece outfits that don't allow access to treatment areas.
These can interfere with accurate pulse diagnosis and affect how your body responds to treatment. Save intense workouts for after your appointment.
Many people are sensitive to strong scents, especially in the quiet, relaxing treatment environment. Unscented or lightly scented personal products are appreciated.
Include prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. Bring dosages if possible. This helps us provide safe, coordinated care.
If you have recent lab work, imaging reports (MRI, X-ray), or specialist reports related to your condition, bring copies. This helps us understand your complete health picture.
We'll need your insurance information to verify benefits and file claims. Payment is due at time of service. We accept cash, checks, credit cards, HSA, and FSA cards.
This gives you time to complete any necessary paperwork, use the restroom, and settle in without feeling rushed. If you're running late, please call—we'll do our best to accommodate you.
Pricing & Insurance Information
Service Fees
Insurance Coverage
We accept most major insurance plans that include acupuncture benefits. Coverage varies significantly by plan—some cover acupuncture fully, others require copays or coinsurance, and some don't cover it at all.
We recommend calling your insurance company before your first visit to verify:
- Whether acupuncture is covered for your specific condition
- How many visits per year are covered
- Your copay, deductible, or coinsurance amount
- Whether you need a referral from your primary care physician
- Whether we're in-network or out-of-network for your plan
We'll file insurance claims on your behalf for in-network plans. For out-of-network plans, we'll provide you with a detailed receipt (superbill) that you can submit for reimbursement if you have out-of-network benefits.
Payment Policies
Payment is due at time of service unless other arrangements have been made. We accept:
- Cash and checks
- Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)
- HSA (Health Savings Account) cards
- FSA (Flexible Spending Account) cards
Prepaid packages: Save money by purchasing a package of 6 or 10 sessions. Packages are valid for 6 months from purchase date and can be used for any service (acupuncture, cupping, etc.).
Financial hardship: If cost is a barrier to receiving care, please speak with us. We offer a limited number of sliding-scale appointments for patients experiencing financial hardship.
Office Policies
Cancellation Policy
We understand that schedules change. We ask that you provide at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. This allows us to offer your time slot to another patient who needs care.
Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice, or missed appointments without notification ("no-shows"), may be subject to a $50 late cancellation fee.
We understand emergencies happen—if you're suddenly ill or have an unavoidable crisis, please call as soon as possible. We'll work with you on a case-by-case basis.
To cancel or reschedule: Call (555) 123-4567 or text (555) 123-4567 at least 24 hours before your appointment.
Late Arrival Policy
Please arrive on time for your appointment. If you're running late, call us as soon as possible. We'll do our best to accommodate you, but appointments starting more than 15 minutes late may need to be shortened to avoid delaying other patients.
If you arrive more than 20 minutes late, we may need to reschedule your appointment. You'll still be responsible for the late cancellation fee in this case.
If you know in advance that you'll be late, please call ahead—we can sometimes adjust the schedule to accommodate you.
Health & Safety Protocols
Your safety is our top priority. We maintain the highest standards of hygiene and safety:
- Single-use needles: We use only sterile, single-use, disposable needles. Each needle is individually packaged and used once, then immediately disposed of in a medical sharps container.
- Clean treatment rooms: Treatment rooms are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized between each patient. All linens (sheets, pillowcases, blankets) are washed after every use.
- Hand hygiene: Practitioners wash hands before and after each patient contact and use hand sanitizer frequently.
- Professional licensing: Dr. Chen is a licensed acupuncturist in good standing, maintains professional liability insurance, and completes continuing education annually.
If you're feeling ill (fever, cough, nausea, active infection), please reschedule your appointment. We can't provide effective treatment when your body is fighting acute illness, and we need to protect other patients and staff.
Common Questions from New Patients
Can I bring someone with me?
You're welcome to bring a companion to your first appointment. They can stay with you during the consultation and diagnosis portion. During the treatment itself, most patients prefer privacy and quiet for maximum relaxation, but you're welcome to have someone stay if you'd like support.
Will I need to undress?
No, you won't need to fully undress. Acupuncture points are located throughout the body, primarily on the arms, legs, back, and abdomen. We can access most points by having you roll up sleeves and pant legs. For treatments requiring access to your back, we provide draping for your comfort and privacy.
Is it safe to continue my regular medications?
Yes, absolutely. Never stop taking prescribed medications without your doctor's approval. Acupuncture works safely alongside most medications and may even enhance their effectiveness or reduce side effects. In some cases, as your condition improves, your doctor may choose to adjust medication dosages—but this decision is always made by your prescribing physician, not by us.
How quickly will I see results?
This varies by condition and individual. Some people feel immediate relief after their first treatment. Others notice gradual improvements over several sessions. Acute conditions (recent injuries, sudden illness) typically respond more quickly—often within 2-4 treatments. Chronic conditions that have developed over months or years usually require more sessions for lasting results—typically 6-12 treatments.
We'll discuss realistic expectations for your specific situation during your first visit.
What if I'm needle-phobic?
Many people who are afraid of needles are pleasantly surprised by acupuncture. Acupuncture needles are extremely thin—about the width of a human hair—nothing like injection or blood draw needles. Most patients feel little to no sensation during insertion.
If you're nervous, please tell Dr. Chen. She can start with just a few needles to help you get comfortable. She can also use alternative techniques like acupressure, cupping, or herbal medicine if needles truly aren't an option for you. Many needle-phobic patients end up loving acupuncture once they try it!
Ready to Begin Your Wellness Journey?
We're here to answer any questions you have and help you feel confident about starting acupuncture. Schedule your first appointment today or book a free 15-minute consultation to learn more.
Schedule Your First Visit