What to Expect in Your First Acupuncture Session

A Step-by-Step Guide to Your Healing Journey at Florida Acupuncture and Counseling

acupuncture needles

If you’re new to acupuncture, it’s normal to feel curious—or even a bit unsure—about what the experience involves. Acupuncture, a practice rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has become widely respected for its ability to address pain, reduce stress, and restore balance in the body.

At Florida Acupuncture and Counseling, Inc., we provide a calming, integrative environment where your first session is guided with care, education, and personalization.

What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin, sterile needles into specific points on the body known as acupoints. These points correspond to meridians or energy pathways that influence the body’s physical and emotional functions. By stimulating these points, acupuncture helps regulate the nervous system, improve circulation, and support the body’s natural healing mechanisms.

Before Your Session: Intake and Consultation

Your first visit begins with a thorough intake and health consultation. One of our licensed acupuncturists will ask about:

• Your main health concerns

• Medical history and current conditions

• Sleep, digestion, stress levels, and lifestyle habits

  
  

This whole-person approach allows us to create a personalized treatment plan that may also integrate massage therapy, counseling, or Biomat therapy—depending on your needs.

During Your Treatment: A Calm, Restorative Experience

Once your treatment plan is discussed, you’ll be guided to a private, quiet treatment room. You’ll lie comfortably on a table (with clothes removed only as needed), and the practitioner will gently insert hair-thin needles into selected acupoints. Most clients report feeling little to no discomfort—many describe the sensation as a gentle tap or tingle.

Once the needles are in place, you’ll rest for about 20–30 minutes. This is your time to relax, breathe deeply, and let the therapy do its work. At Florida Acupuncture and Counseling, our treatment rooms include the Biomat, which uses far-infrared heat and negative ion therapy to enhance relaxation and circulation during your session.

After the Session: What You Might Feel

After your first session, you may feel:

• Deeply relaxed

• More energized or mentally clear

• A reduction in pain or tension

• Mild soreness or sleepiness (a sign of nervous system recalibration)

We typically recommend a series of sessions to support lasting change, especially for chronic conditions. Your practitioner will help outline a care plan tailored to your goals.

Acupuncture in an Integrative Wellness Setting

At Florida Acupuncture and Counseling, we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Acupuncture is often paired with our other services, including:

• Massage therapy – for muscular tension and pain relief

• Counseling and EMDR therapy – for trauma, anxiety, and emotional balance

• Chair yoga and Qi Gong classes – to promote mind-body awareness

• Spiritual life coaching – for deeper inner alignment

  
  

Whether you’re seeking relief from physical pain, support for emotional well-being, or a path to overall wellness, your first acupuncture session is just the beginning of a personalized, holistic journey.

Ready to Try Acupuncture in Gainesville?

Visit our Acupuncture Services page or call 352-448-5836 to schedule your first session at Florida Acupuncture and Counseling, Inc. We're here to support your healing—one needle (and breath) at a time.