WHAT TO EXPECT AT ORIENTAL HEALING ART INSTITUTE LLC
A Traditional Chinese Medicine Practice
Oriental Healing reflects the background and experience of Zhen-Sheng Gao, L.Ac., who was educated and clinically trained in China and has practiced Traditional Chinese Medicine for more than five decades.
Patients should expect a traditional, clinically focused practice rather than a conventional American wellness or spa environment. The emphasis is on understanding your individual presentation, recognizing patterns that may be contributing to your concerns, and determining an appropriate approach to treatment.
Gao's style is straightforward and practical. He does not make promises about results that cannot be guaranteed. If he believes acupuncture or Traditional Chinese Medicine may be appropriate for you, he will tell you. If he has concerns or believes another approach should be considered, he will be equally candid.
Patients should expect a traditional, clinically focused practice rather than a conventional American wellness or spa environment. The emphasis is on understanding your individual presentation, recognizing patterns that may be contributing to your concerns, and determining an appropriate approach to treatment.
Gao's style is straightforward and practical. He does not make promises about results that cannot be guaranteed. If he believes acupuncture or Traditional Chinese Medicine may be appropriate for you, he will tell you. If he has concerns or believes another approach should be considered, he will be equally candid.
Communicating With Gao
English is not Gao's first language, and he is also hard of hearing. At times, detailed spoken questions can be more difficult to communicate.
Gao reads English well. If you have an important or detailed question that is difficult to communicate verbally, writing it down or sending it to him by text may make communication easier.
Once you are an established patient, routine communication regarding appointments, your current treatment, or herbal prescriptions is handled directly with Gao by text.
For patients who would like additional communication, explanation, or support during their course of treatment, optional TCM Patient Support is also available.
Gao reads English well. If you have an important or detailed question that is difficult to communicate verbally, writing it down or sending it to him by text may make communication easier.
Once you are an established patient, routine communication regarding appointments, your current treatment, or herbal prescriptions is handled directly with Gao by text.
For patients who would like additional communication, explanation, or support during their course of treatment, optional TCM Patient Support is also available.
YOUR FIRST ACUPUNCTURE VISIT
Your first acupuncture visit includes a focused evaluation of your primary concern followed by an individualized acupuncture treatment.
Gao may ask about your symptoms, health history, previous treatment, and other information relevant to the concern that brought you to the office. Depending upon your presentation, he may also use palpation and other Traditional Chinese Medicine assessment methods to help determine his treatment approach.
Some patients with complex, chronic, systemic, or internal concerns may require a more extensive Comprehensive TCM Evaluation.
Gao may ask about your symptoms, health history, previous treatment, and other information relevant to the concern that brought you to the office. Depending upon your presentation, he may also use palpation and other Traditional Chinese Medicine assessment methods to help determine his treatment approach.
Some patients with complex, chronic, systemic, or internal concerns may require a more extensive Comprehensive TCM Evaluation.
DURING YOUR ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT
HOW LONG SHOULD I BE HERE?
An acupuncture treatment itself is typically about 30 minutes, but please allow up to an hour for your appointment, particularly for a first visit.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
Wear comfortable clothing that can easily be moved or rolled up to provide access to the areas being treated. NO complete undressing is not necessary.
For neck or upper-back treatment, you may be asked to remove necklaces or other jewelry. If you have long hair, wearing it up can make the area easier to access.
For your comfort, please use the restroom before treatment begins.
For neck or upper-back treatment, you may be asked to remove necklaces or other jewelry. If you have long hair, wearing it up can make the area easier to access.
For your comfort, please use the restroom before treatment begins.
WILL I FEEL THE NEEDLES?
Acupuncture needles are extremely thin and are inserted quickly. Many patients feel little or no discomfort during insertion.
Some acupuncture points or areas that are already tender may be more sensitive. You may also experience sensations such as pressure, heaviness, aching, warmth, or tingling.
If a needle feels uncomfortable, tell Gao. Your comfort matters, and the needle can be adjusted when necessary.
Acupuncture needles are extremely thin and are inserted quickly. Many patients feel little or no discomfort during insertion.
Some acupuncture points or areas that are already tender may be more sensitive. You may also experience sensations such as pressure, heaviness, aching, warmth, or tingling.
If a needle feels uncomfortable, tell Gao. Your comfort matters, and the needle can be adjusted when necessary.
WHILE THE NEEDLES ARE IN PLACE
Once your needles have been placed, please remain on the treatment table and do not get up or walk around.
If you need assistance, feel uncomfortable, or unexpectedly need to use the restroom, use the call button or alert Gao so the needles can be removed safely first.
This is why we recommend using the restroom before your treatment begins.
If you need assistance, feel uncomfortable, or unexpectedly need to use the restroom, use the call button or alert Gao so the needles can be removed safely first.
This is why we recommend using the restroom before your treatment begins.
CAN SOMEONE STAY IN THE ROOM WITH ME?
Yes. We simply ask that the treatment room remain quiet and calm while acupuncture needles are in place.
CAN I LISTEN TO MUSIC OR TAKE A NAP?
Absolutely. Many patients find acupuncture relaxing. You are welcome to bring your phone, listen quietly to music, close your eyes, or rest during treatment.
WHAT IS ELECTROACUPUNCTURE
Electroacupuncture uses a gentle electrical current between selected acupuncture needles. The intensity is adjusted according to your comfort, and electrical stimulation is used only when appropriate for the area being treated and your individual presentation.
Electroacupuncture uses a gentle electrical current between selected acupuncture needles. The intensity is adjusted according to your comfort, and electrical stimulation is used only when appropriate for the area being treated and your individual presentation.
AFTER YOUR TREATMENT
People respond to acupuncture differently. Some feel relaxed or tired afterward, while others simply return to their normal activities.
Occasionally, an area that was treated may feel temporarily tender or sore.
If you experience unexpected, significant, or persistent discomfort after treatment, contact the practice.
Occasionally, an area that was treated may feel temporarily tender or sore.
If you experience unexpected, significant, or persistent discomfort after treatment, contact the practice.
YOUR TREATMENT PLAN
Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment is individualized. The number and frequency of treatments can vary depending upon the concern being treated, how long it has been present, the individual's overall presentation, and how the person responds to treatment.
For that reason, Gao does not guarantee a specific number of treatments or a particular outcome.
Your treatment approach may change as your presentation changes.
If you have questions about your progress, discuss them with Gao during your scheduled appointment.
For that reason, Gao does not guarantee a specific number of treatments or a particular outcome.
Your treatment approach may change as your presentation changes.
If you have questions about your progress, discuss them with Gao during your scheduled appointment.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF PRACTICE
Oriental Healing may feel different from a contemporary American medical or wellness office.
That is intentional.
The character of the practice reflects Gao's traditional Chinese medical background and more than five decades of clinical experience. The emphasis is not on creating a spa experience, but on providing individualized Traditional Chinese Medicine care in a focused clinical environment.
Patients who value experience, individualized attention, straightforward communication, and a traditional approach to Chinese medicine often find that these differences are precisely what they appreciate about the practice.
That is intentional.
The character of the practice reflects Gao's traditional Chinese medical background and more than five decades of clinical experience. The emphasis is not on creating a spa experience, but on providing individualized Traditional Chinese Medicine care in a focused clinical environment.
Patients who value experience, individualized attention, straightforward communication, and a traditional approach to Chinese medicine often find that these differences are precisely what they appreciate about the practice.