What happens when I come for an Acupuncture treatment?

If you're considering booking but want to understand the practicalities first, here's what to expect.

Your First Session.
Initial consultation. We'll start with a conversation about your overall health and spiritual practice. This helps me understand where you are currently, what questions or issues have brought you to this work, what practices you're already engaged in and whether traditional acupuncture might be beneficial before beginning the esoteric patterns.

First pattern.
For those new to this approach, your first session typically uses the Clarity Pattern: a harmonising pattern designed to support decision-making and stepping forward into new ventures. It serves as an introduction both to acupuncture itself and to the energies involved in this work. It is a gentle, introductory pattern suitable as a first treatment.

Allow two hours for your first appointment. This gives space for the consultation, the pattern itself and discussion afterward.

How the Treatment Works.
The needles are inserted very superficially; barely into the skin, unlike in traditional acupuncture. There's no pursuit of the "de qi" sensation that traditional acupuncturists seek. Instead, what you're working with is the shift in consciousness and the energy of the pattern itself.

Once the pattern is complete, needles remain in place for 30-60 minutes depending on your preference and what feels appropriate. During this time, some people experience geometric structures or energy movements. Others receive insights or simply "know" something they didn't before. Some fall into deep sleep-trance states. Each person's experience is unique and varies between sessions.

After the Treatment.
Removing the needles brings you back to ordinary waking consciousness. We'll have space to discuss what happened or what you sensed, then you'll want some water and time to prepare to re-enter the world.

Give yourself time after a session. You may need to reflect and return to normal consciousness before driving or going anywhere. If you're driving, I always advise taking a walk in the open air first until you feel completely returned and able to concentrate fully.

Session Length & Frequency.
After your initial session, treatment length varies depending on what we're working with:

• Eight Extra Meridians: typically one hour.
• Chakra patterns: 90 minutes to 2 hours, depending on your experience with the energies.

I usually recommend starting with one-hour sessions until you're familiar with working with these energies, though this can be adjusted based on what's needed. How often you have treatments can vary according to what is needed. Many people work weekly or fortnightly; others prefer longer gaps for integration. The work is most effective when it becomes part of your regular practice rather than occasional sessions.

Want More Detail?
For information about this approach, the benefits and the progression through chakras and meridians, download the Guide to Transformative Acupuncture.