During your initial acupuncture visit, we will discuss your past and present medical health history, your reason for this visit as well as your goals for health and wellness with your consent for treatment and treatment. I need your full clinical picture to assess your health and provide appropriate treatment.
Even if your condition has a clear etiology, i.e. sciatic pain, it is important that I have a good understanding of how you are doing overall. I will ask you many questions that may seem unrelated, especially if you are new to Chinese medicine. Rest assured everything matters to provide the support to your body, mind and spirit to reach your goals of health and wellness. What is most important during this initial visit is establishing a clear understanding of your goals to health and wellness through our connection.
Follow-up acupuncture visits will include a brief assessment of how you have been doing since your last treatment, gathering any new information if applicable, gathering consent for treatment and you receiving treatment.
DISCLAIMER
While Acupuncture treatments offered at Osteopathy Nelson aim to address your health
concerns, it cannot replace the care of a General Practitioner. We recommend that you
notify your GP regarding any conditions for which you are seeking treatment(s) so that a
shared care plan can be established if suitable.
During your initial appointment, you should inform your practitioner of any medical
conditions you have and those you have suffered in the past and provide updates at
subsequent sessions if any of the aspects discussed change. It is your responsibility to
check with your GP in case you suffer from a condition and/or are in doubt whether to
have treatment.
CONSENT FOR ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT
As a registered acupuncturist with the Chinese Medicine Council of New Zealand and
ACC treatment provider, I have agreed to follow the Councils competency and
standards for the profession.
Purpose of Treatment: The purpose of the treatment is to address your condition, i.e.
the reason you are seeking treatment. Acupuncture is a healthcare service that is based
on Chinese Medicine.
Nature of Treatment: Your treatment may include acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping,
acupressure, Tui Na (Chinese medical massage), Gua Sha (dermal friction), therapeutic
exercises and dietary counseling based on the fundamentals of Chinese Medicine.
Risks of Treatment: Before commencing treatment please be aware that there are
associated risks. Although practitioners cannot anticipate all the possible risks and
complications that may arise with each individual case, you should be aware that the
side effects outlined below may occur. If there are risks that apply to your case, your
practitioner will discuss these with you.
Acupuncture is a safe method of treatment, but it may have side effects including:
bruising, minor bleeding, numbness or tingling at or near the needle site, which may last
a few days. You may also experience some muscle soreness and petechiae (small, flat,
red, purple, or brown spots that appear on the skin or mucous membranes due to
bleeding under the skin due to cupping and/or gua sha, which may also last a few days.
Drowsiness may occur in a small number of patients, and if affected, you are advised
not to drive. In a small percentage of patients, nausea can occur, and symptoms may
become worse before they improve. Please advise your acupuncturist if worsening
symptoms continue for more than 2 days. Potential but unlikely risks of acupuncture
include fainting, spontaneous miscarriage, nerve damage, and organ puncture. Infection
is another possible risk, however since this clinic uses only sterilized, disposable
needles while maintaining a clean and safe environment, this is unlikely. Burns and
scarring are potential risks of using moxibustion.
By commencing treatment, you acknowledge these risks but understand that you may
stop treatment at any time during any treatment appointment.
