What to Expect

An initial visit is comprised of an extensive intake of patient information including health history, current health status, living and working conditions, mental outlook, and pulse and tongue diagnosis. From this information our practitioners diagnose a client in terms of constitutional energy and current mental, emotional, and physical health status. Recommendations are made as to frequency of treatment and herbal formulas.

Clients are given a regular appointment according to their treatment needs. Each treatment is tailored to the individual's unique needs. Included in every treatment plan are an individual's constitutional energy, and current stresses, health concerns, and mental outlook. Frequency of treatment and appropriateness of herbal protocols are constantly adjusted to meet the client's needs. Detailed written records of each treatment are kept in the client's chart.

IS IT SAFE? All protocols use the most current standards of care to ensure patient safety, such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Clean Needle Technique in the case of acupuncture.

WILL IT HURT? The needles used in acupuncture are not at all like needles used in drawing blood or in giving injections. The needles used are extremely fine, about the width of 2 hairs. We use only between 2 to 6 needles in each session, sometimes combining the needles with the use of an herb called moxa. Patients say they only feel a mild twinge when the needles are inserted. Sometimes you actually feel your "chi" move or pull. These feelings only last a few seconds. All needles used by the Sign of Jonah are sterile and disposable, and all practitioners follow the most cautious protocol for disposing of the needles.

ARE THESE PEOPLE QUALIFIED? All of the acupuncturists at the Clinic are licensed to practice acupuncture in the District of Columbia and graduates of an accredited Masters of Acupuncture program. Most are graduates of the Tai Sophia Institute (tai.edu), the oldest, accredited graduate program for acupuncture in the US.