WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR FIRST TREATMENT

You can expect your first visit to last about an hour. We'll begin by asking you to fill out a complete medical history form, which we'll discuss in detail. This will give me an overview of your general health history, and an understanding of the development of your chief complaints, and will allow you to bring up any questions you may have. I will then observe your tongue, feel your pulse and palpate your abdomen. These steps are part of Traditional Chinese Medical diagnosis and help me to evaluate your overall health and to determine which acupuncture points and which Chinese Herbal formulae might be relevant to your treatment. Where musculo-skeletal evaluation is indicated for such conditions as headache, sports injuries, etc. I will perform a physical exam relevant to the situation. We'll then discuss the course of treatment I feel will benefit you most, the number and frequency of visits I recommend, and the relevance of such modalities as massage, electro acupuncture, herbal prescriptions, nutrition and exercise in the overall treatment plan. You'll find more information on pricing and insurance here.

Everyone reacts in different ways to acupuncture treatment, so it is always difficult to determine precisely what will be needed at the beginning of a course of treatment. Typically for a chronic condition that is of more than three months duration a minimum of six to ten treatments will be necessary, beginning twice a week, then moving to once a week. The effects of acupuncture are cumulative and I usually expect patients to feel some improvement after three to four treatments in a chronic condition and perhaps immediately in an acute condition of recent onset.

Most people, myself included, are understandably nervous about getting their first acupuncture treatment. It is important to remember that the needles are hair thin, very rarely cause bruising and are not hollow, so they do not hurt like getting a shot or having blood drawn would. If a needle hurts for more than a few seconds after insertion then I'll take it out or adjust it so that it is comfortable. I generally use from six to ten sterile disposable needles for each treatment and leave them in place for approximately twenty minutes. Many patients experience a sense of profound relaxation and well being during the treatment. Because of this, I think you will find your treatment to be a source of pleasure rather than anxiety.

LOCATION AND PARKING

The Rochford Clinic is on the 5th floor at 9401 Wilshire Boulevard - a high-rise office building on the NW corner of Wilshire Boulevard and North Canon Drive in the center of Beverly Hills. The I-405 San Diego Freeway is 4 miles west; the I-10 Santa Monica Freeway is 3.5 miles south.

PARKING: There is underground parking in our building – we do not validate. The garage entrance is at a STOP-sign north of Wilshire entering from Canon Drive. There are several municipal parking garages within a few blocks offering one-hour free parking, 2nd hour $2 at, 221 N. Crescent Drive, 345 N. Beverly Drive, 438 N. Canon Drive-429 N. Beverly Drive, 333 N. Crescent Drive, 9361 Dayton Way and 216 S. Beverly Drive.

For complete directions from all major airports, please click here.