Acupuncture
Acupuncture
Acupuncture uses thin, single-use needles placed at points chosen after your acupuncturist talks with you and looks at the areas you mention. At Tread, most sessions are about 45 minutes, and a first visit runs about 75. It is the main thing we do, and the one most people start with.
People who come in are mostly active: runners, riders, lifters and rec league players who want to talk through their week with someone who listens.
45 minutes
A typical follow-up, with time to rest.
Single-use needles
Sterile, used once, then discarded.
Your session
What a session is like, in order
- 01
Step 1: We talk about your week
What you have trained, what is coming up and how you feel.
- 02
Step 2: You lie down, clothed
On a padded table, with shorts or a loose top, and a blanket.
- 03
Step 3: Needles go in
A handful of points, mostly on the arms, legs and back. You may feel a small pinch or a dull ache.
- 04
Step 4: You rest
Fifteen to twenty minutes, while your acupuncturist checks on you.
- 05
Step 5: The needles come out
We agree what to do before your next session.
Before you come
Tell us first
Say any of these when you book or at the start of your session. None of them means you cannot come.
Pregnancy
Some points and techniques are avoided in pregnancy. Tell us if you are or might be pregnant.
Blood thinners
Medicines that thin the blood, and supplements like fish oil, can change how we plan a session.
A pacemaker or implant
Some implanted devices rule out electroacupuncture. Tell us what you have.
Lymph node removal
If you have had lymph nodes removed, we avoid needles on that side.
A bleeding disorder
Tell us before your first visit so your acupuncturist can plan around it.
Needle fear
Many people feel this way. We go slowly, show you the needle first and stop whenever you ask.
Plain answers
What you may feel afterward, and what this does not do
Many people feel relaxed or sleepy afterward, and some feel a little sore where a needle was. A small mark at a needle site is common and fades. If you feel dizzy, sit and tell us. Plan an easy hour after your first session.
How many sessions people plan for
There is no set number. Some people come every week through a hard block, others once a month, and others before an event. We suggest a plan you can change, and you decide.
What it does not do, and when to see a doctor instead
Acupuncture does not replace a doctor or a physical therapist, and results vary. It does not set a bone, read a scan or tell you whether an injury is serious. If something has changed suddenly, or a sore spot is getting worse, see your doctor first. In an emergency, call 911.
Book a session
Tell us what you are training for, and we find a time that fits.