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Never had acupuncture before? Breaking a first visit into three stages makes it easier to prepare, speak up during the session and understand the advice afterwards.

A simple timeline for a first visit

If you have tried massage or counselling but never acupuncture, the unknowns can feel larger than they are. Breaking the appointment into three stages makes it easier to prepare.

Before

Gather a list of medicines and supplements, relevant health details and any recent test results you think are important. Note what you want help with and what you hope to understand.

During

Describe what you feel as needles are placed, and ask questions whenever something is unclear. You can ask to pause or stop at any point.

After

Check that you understand any advice given and know when and how to report a concern.

Practical arrangements

Dr Christine Shen, Acupuncturist, sees acupuncture clients at the Lane Cove clinic. Confirm fees, availability and booking arrangements directly with the clinic rather than relying on information from elsewhere. Overseas clinic websites, including some written in other languages, may describe fixed courses or booking rules that do not apply here. Preparation and open communication are the most useful foundations for your own appointment.

Symptoms and goals are not the same thing

During the consultation, name the complaint first and then the change you would welcome. Practical aims could be an easier time with one specific activity, a clearer sense of what is happening, or guidance on when a different kind of check-up makes sense.

Find out how Christine plans to judge whether acupuncture is helping you and what would prompt her to suggest a different route.

Fitting acupuncture into wider care

If you see a GP, physiotherapist or other practitioner, let Christine know so your care fits together. At a multi-therapy clinic, people sometimes combine acupuncture with massage or counselling; sharing what else you are doing helps keep the overall plan sensible. Arriving a few minutes early to your first Lane Cove appointment gives you time to settle and complete any forms.