What women ask before they book

Most people feel very little: a quick tap as a needle goes in, and sometimes a dull ache, heaviness or warmth around it. The needles are about as thin as a hair. Tell me if anything is too much and I adjust it or take the needle out.

Every needle is sterile, used once and thrown away. I open each one in front of you, clean your skin first and wash my hands before and after. Used needles go straight into a sharps container.

People usually plan for a short run of visits close together, then space them out. At your first visit I suggest a plan and we look at it again as we go. It is a plan, not a promise, and you can stop at any time.

I am out of network with health plans. I give you an itemized receipt, called a superbill, that your plan may use to pay part of the fee back, and the plan decides. Ask yours the four questions on How fees work.

Many plans allow it for acupuncture. Ask your plan administrator before you book, and I give you a receipt that shows the visit.

Wear something loose that you can roll up to the elbows and knees. Eat something light first, since coming hungry or very full makes lying still harder. Skip alcohol before a visit.

We spend about 75 minutes together. We talk about your nights, your days and what you take, I check your pulse and your tongue, and you have a treatment. You can read the visit step by step on the First visit page.

Tell me if you are or might be pregnant. Some points are avoided then, and I ask that you check with your doctor or midwife before we go ahead.

No. Acupuncture does not change what you take, and you keep taking your medicines as prescribed. Tell your prescriber and me about everything you take, including hormone therapy, sleep aids and supplements.

I can't tell you why your sleep has changed, and some causes need a doctor first: snoring with pauses in your breathing, night sweats with weight loss, a low mood that is new or won't lift, chest pain or a racing heart, or heavy bleeding. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), any time. In an emergency, call 911.