New patient guide

If it’s your first time receiving acupuncture, it’s normal to feel a little nervous.

Here’s what you can expect for your first appointment.

Before your appointment

Fill out your paperwork

Set up a profile in the patient portal. After you’ve signed into the portal, select “Forms” and then “Fill Out” to fill out the following forms:

  • Patient Confidential Information

  • Patient Disclosure Form

  • Patient Consent Form

  • Western Symptoms

  • Insurance Verification.

When you’re finished filling out each form, select “Submit Form.”

Don’t brush your tongue

On the day of your appointment, be sure not to brush your tongue. The presence or absence of coating on your tongue is crucial to determine your Chinese medical diagnosis. You may brush your teeth, though!

Wear comfortable clothes

Wear comfortable clothing that is loose and easy to access above the knee and elbow. You will be lying down on a massage table for about 45 minutes, so wear your favorite sweats, PJs or yoga clothes.

Eat a meal

It’s important to eat a good meal before your appointment. In Chinese medicine we receive energy or Qi (“chee”) from our food. When needles are inserted into your body, the practitioner is moving your Qi. It is said that, “it takes Qi to move Qi.”

Reschedule if you don’t feel well

If you are experiencing any type of cough or lingering cold symptoms, you can keep your appointment but please wear a mask to your appointment.

If you are sick, or think you may be getting sick, please cancel your appointment 24 hours before your scheduled time or you will be charged for the full session, per my cancellation policy.

Josie is an incredible person and provider. I was nervous to start acupuncture, but I'm so glad that I did. I leave every appointment feeling refreshed and rested. I had immediate positive impacts on my sleep quality, fatigue levels, digestion, and appetite.
— Ryan T.

When you arrive

Find the waiting area

Head up the stairs over by the boutique. At the top of the second set of stairs you'll see a gold velvet couch to the left, and that is my waiting area.

There is an elevator near the main entrance on the first floor. Take the elevator to the second floor and head to the left when you get off. Keep going until you find the gold velvet couch.

Have a seat and text me at 303-229-9684 to let me know that you have arrived.

Please note that the restrooms upstairs are gendered, but there are gender-neutral restrooms on the main floor, next to the boutique.

During the appointment

Intake conversation & Pulse check

First we will sit and talk for 45 minutes or so where I will ask you about your chief complaint, medical history, diet, exercise, digestion, sleep, and menstrual cycle, among other things.

Next, you will lie down on the massage table where I will take your pulses. (Yes, pulses, plural. In Chinese medicine there are nine pulses on each wrist!)

Placing the needles

While listening to the sounds of your choice—soothing music, white noise, ocean waves, crackling fire, crickets, to name a few—I will insert the needles.

And to answer your burning question, no, the needles do not hurt. There may be a slightly uncomfortable sensation at first—like a pinching, burning, or aching—but it quickly dissipates and the overall feeling is complete and total relaxation.

Once the needles are in, I will position a heat lamp on your feet, and turn on the faux sherpa heated table covering if you’d like. It’s like being back in the womb.

You’ll rest for about 30 minutes. Most patients fall asleep during their session. And don’t worry about snoring—I take it as a compliment!

As I am needle-phobic, they have exceeded all my expectations as they have made every experience comfortable and relaxing. Josie is always willing to answer any questions, address all concerns, and really takes the time to know you and your situation.
— Rachel S.

Debrief and aftercare

When the treatment is over, I’ll come back in, turn on the lights, and remove the needles. Sometimes I will perform additional therapies if necessary like moxibustion (heat therapy), cupping (suction therapy), electrical-stimulation, among others. If we are doing these therapies, we will talk about it beforehand.

Then you will take your time getting up, getting your shoes on, and coming back to planet earth.

Afterwards, with your consent, we will discuss in-depth dietary and lifestyle recommendations, I might prescribe an herbal formula and/or nutritional supplements, I will take payment and schedule your next appointment. I will also email you with any additional information from your session.

Then you will float out to your car or ride, hopefully feeling blissed out and sublimely relaxed. :-)