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In-Person Care and Acupuncture

Practical information for appointments in Nelson, British Columbia

In-person consultations and acupuncture appointments are available at All Things Autoimmunity, the practice of Dr. Michael Smith.

Clinic: [NEEDS: clinic name]

Address: [NEEDS: full clinic address], Nelson, BC

Availability: [NEEDS: days and hours]

Appointment lengths and fees:

Initial In-Person Consultation - length: [NEEDS: appointment length]; fee: [NEEDS: fee]

Acupuncture appointment — length: [NEEDS: appointment length]; fee: [NEEDS: fee]

Follow-up consultation — length: [NEEDS: appointment length]; fee: [NEEDS: fee]

What in-person care may include

A detailed health-history review

Traditional Chinese Medicine assessment

Pulse and tongue diagnosis

Physical assessment

Acupuncture

Nutrition and lifestyle guidance

Movement, breathing, or therapeutic qigong recommendations

Review of medications, supplements, and existing laboratory information

Orientation to the Epi-AIP and care planning

Not every appointment includes every element. The content of the visit will depend upon your present concerns, health history, current medical care, and the amount of time available.

Traditional Chinese Medicine assessment

Traditional Chinese Medicine considers relationships among symptoms, constitutional tendencies, digestion, nourishment, circulation, rest, pain, and adaptation.

Assessment may include discussion of symptom patterns, pulse and tongue diagnosis, and consideration of how different systems appear to be influencing one another.

Traditional Chinese Medicine does not replace biomedical diagnosis. It provides an additional clinical perspective.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture may be included when it is appropriate to the purpose of the visit. Treatment is individualized and may be used to support concerns such as:

Pain

Physical function

Muscle tension

Digestion

Sleep

Stress regulation

Headaches

Recovery from illness or physical strain

The suitability and frequency of acupuncture will depend upon your condition, current medical care, and response to treatment. Acupuncture is not appropriate for every concern, and it does not replace necessary medical assessment or treatment.

Before your appointment

After booking, you will receive an intake form and any relevant instructions.

Where appropriate, please provide:

Instructions for submitting records securely will be included with your booking information. Please do not send detailed private health information through ordinary email.

What to wear

Wear loose, comfortable clothing. For acupuncture, it is helpful to wear clothing that allows access to:

Gowns or draping are available when required.

Please let the clinic know before treatment if you are pregnant, taking blood-thinning medication, prone to fainting, or have a medical device or condition that may affect treatment.

Accessibility and arrival

Parking: [NEEDS: parking information]

Building entrance: [NEEDS: entrance instructions]

Stairs or elevator: [NEEDS: stair or elevator information]

Wheelchair accessibility: [NEEDS: wheelchair accessibility information]

Washroom accessibility: [NEEDS: washroom accessibility information]

Arrival time: please arrive [NEEDS: arrival time in minutes] before your first appointment

Eating before acupuncture

Please have a light meal or snack before your appointment. Avoid arriving extremely hungry, dehydrated, or immediately after consuming alcohol.

You may wish to allow some quiet time after treatment rather than scheduling a demanding activity immediately afterward.

Scent and clinic environment

Please avoid wearing perfume, cologne, or strongly scented products. [NEEDS: confirm clinic scent policy]

A support person may attend when needed, subject to room size, privacy, and clinic policy. [NEEDS: confirm support-person policy]

Children and dependants

Whether children may attend appointments, and whether supervision is required, is set by clinic policy. [NEEDS: confirm whether children may attend and whether supervision is required] The clinic does not provide childcare.

Illness and infection precautions

Please contact the clinic before attending if you have:

The appointment may need to be changed to an online consultation or rescheduled.

Prescriptions and laboratory testing

Whether Chinese herbal prescriptions are available is confirmed as part of your care. [NEEDS: confirm whether Chinese herbal prescriptions are available]

How laboratory testing is handled is confirmed as part of your care. [NEEDS: confirm how laboratory testing is handled]

Prescribed medications should not be stopped or changed without consulting the practitioner responsible for prescribing and monitoring them.

Payment and insurance

Accepted payment methods: [NEEDS: accepted payment methods]

Receipts are provided for eligible services. Coverage varies among extended-health plans. Patients should confirm their individual benefits directly with their insurer.

Practical Questions

Telephone: (250) 123-4567

Urgent Symptoms?

For severe, rapidly worsening, or urgent symptoms, contact your physician, an urgent-care service, or emergency services in your area. This clinic does not provide emergency care.

The information on this website is provided for general educational purposes. It is not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis, emergency assessment, or treatment from your physician or another qualified healthcare professional.