Involves asking for information on the following:

• Present health and reason for treatment
• Past medical history
• Family medical history

Diagnosis involves: taking the pulse, observing the tongue, palpating the abdomen, neck and back.

Course of treatment

Patients initially come for 4 – 6 sessions. The course of treatment is then reviewed.

• for acute problems, fewer and more frequent treatments might be needed.
• for more chronic conditions: the course of treatment may be longer.

In the case of facial revitalisation a series of 12 sessions performed weekly or twice a week is recommended. Results are visible around the 7th or 8th session. A typical session can take up to 90 minutes. Monthly maintenance sessions will prolong the results as will facial exercises, facial acupressure massage, a healthy diet and a balanced lifestyle.

Shonishin treatment is applied to children aged one month to 10 years old, once or twice a week, for a few weeks, depending on the condition, or once a month for general well being 

Appointments

• Initial consultation can take up to 1 hour with subsequent sessions taking 45 minutes.
• In the case of Facial Revitalisation a typical session can take up to 90 minutes.
• For Shonishin Paediatric Acupuncture, children respond very quickly, treatment takes no more than 30 minutes with an initial appointment of 45 minutes for diagnosis.
• A minimum of 24 hours notice is required to cancel or re-arrange an appointment in order to avoid being charged for the session.
• Patients must ensure they have eaten on the day of the treatment.

Alcohol should not be consumed before an acupuncture session and it is beneficial to try to make time to relax after treatment.