We will collect information about your general health and about your main reason for consulting. We will take your pulse and look at your tongue, as they also give information about your energetic strengths & imbalances. A quick physical exam will be performed if necessary (i.e: taking blood pressure, palpation of the painful area, assessment of any movements limitations, etc.). We will then explain how the session will be performed to ensure that you are fully aware of the upcoming treatment. Most treatments will involve the use of hair-fine needles but other tools can replace or complement the treatment if necessary. The needles are extremely fine, non-allergenic and single-use. While the needles are being gently pushed through the skin, you can feel the following sensations: pins and needles, gentle pressure, mosquito-bite feeling, warmth or nothing at all. Some needles might be more sensitive and it is important to keep a good communication with your practitioner to adapt the treatment to YOU. The needles are removed at the end of the treatment and put in a needle disposal container. Acupuncture is not limited to needles. If you are not comfortable with the needles, alternatives can be used.

Other tools that may be used during the treatment:

- Moxibustion (dried Artemisia herbs): used to warm an area or an acupuncture point
- Infra-red heat: infra-red lamp used to warm an area and accelerate healing
- Guasha or Cupping therapy: used to move the blood and the energy (Qi) of an area, very good to relax muscular tensions
- Light-therapy patches: they stimulate the chosen acupuncture points and reflect the body's infrared lights back to itself which sends different messages via different wavelengths.
- Electro-stimulation: gentle electric current directly on the skin or connected via needles, used to reduce pain and move blood and Qi
- Ear acupuncture: The use of small needles of beads to stimulate points in the ear, for all sorts of conditions. Ears are highly connected to the nervous system
- Magnets: small magnets can be used to move the energy from one place to another
- Local area massage / tuina

It is common to feel relaxed after a treatment, pain free and energized.