Prepare for Your Appointment

Acupuncture and other Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments are safe and effective ways to take control of your health.

At the Calgary College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, we want to ensure you feel prepared for your visit.  Here are some suggestions to ensure your visit is the best experience.

》Things to Know for Your First Appointment

Please arrive 5 – 10 minutes before your appointment time.  This will give you time to complete the necessary intake forms.

If this is your first visit to the Calgary College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, please anticipate an appointment length of approximately 1.5 hours.

If this is your first acupuncture or TCM treatment, please let your acupuncturist know.  They will take time to explain the various aspects of treatment in more depth.

All of our student interns are overseen by one of our supervising TCM Doctors. The TCM Doctors will provide guidance to our student interns, however will not be conducting direct supervision during your appointment.  At any time during your treatment you can request the presence of the Supervising TCM Doctor; just let your intern know.

At the beginning of your treatment, you will be provided with an emergency response button. You can press this button at any time during treatment if you are experiencing distress or otherwise need further assistance. 

》Before Your Appointment

At CCTCMA we prefer you do not wear makeup or anything that covers your skin’s colour or condition.  As part of your treatment, your acupuncturist will need to assess the current condition and appearance of your skin. Facial creams and lotions with no scent are acceptable, however, should you have dark circles under your eyes or other blemishes, please avoid covering them. The natural features of your face are a part of the TCM diagnosis; this provides your TCM Doctor with valuable information they need to make the correct diagnosis and provide you with the best treatment. 

Please avoid using perfumes, colognes, or other scented products on the day of your treatment. This includes deodorant and antiperspirant. Your body’s natural odours also provide valuable information to your TCM Doctor for diagnosis.  

》What to Wear

We prefer that our patients remove all bracelets, watches, or bands around the wrists. Your acupuncturist will need to feel your pulse on both wrists, and some treatments can require needles in your wrist area.  As such, please remove all wrist accessories before your treatment.

Wear comfortable clothes that can be removed easily. You will be provided with a gown to wear for your treatment. 

》What to Eat and Drink

Please ensure you eat something prior to your treatment. If you have not eaten for an extended period of time, please let your acupuncturist know.  You will be offered a small glass of juice, sugar water, or some candies before they begin.  If your blood sugar is too low you can experience dizziness during and after treatment. 

Please avoid drinking coffee, or other coloured liquids and beverages for several hours prior to treatment. Your tongue colour and the colour of your tongue’s coating are valuable diagnostic tools used by your TCM Doctor. For example, a yellow tongue coating is indicative of totally different symptoms than a white tongue coating. 

If you have any questions about your treatment options or what to expect during your appointment, please feel free to contact us at (403) 287-8688, or send an email to info@cctcma.com.