Frequently Asked Questions
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Chinese medicine is a 2,000+ year old complete medical system that originated in ancient China and is still effective today. Some key principles are that the body’s natural state is health, the body / mind / emotions are intimately connected, & health is maintained by a smooth flow of Qi (life-force energy). Chinese medicine emphasizes lifestyle & nutrition as forms of preventative care. As a true holistic medicine, sessions are tailored to the individual and her unique context. Explore the blog or book a free consult to learn more.
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Acupuncture is the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the body according to a system of meridians (channels or currents) of qi (life-force energy).
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Needles are very fine and rarely ever painful.
Each session is unique and may call for anywhere from 1 to 20+ needles (though I usually use ~7) and this is adjusted to the comfort level of the patient.
Some people like to leave the needles in for only 10 minutes, other want to rest for 40 minutes. 20 minutes is my usual standard, but like all parts of the process, your input & needs are number one.
You’ll know each point I’m needling because I’ll clean the area before insertion. If there are any areas you wouldn’t like needled, or you’d like to stop at anytime, simply communicate your needs to me.
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This is very common! These needles are single-use, sterile, & very fine. They are not usually painful. I go very slowly with new patients, and can quickly pull a needle out if you don’t like the feeling.
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Eat something & hydrate within a couple hours of the session
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing
Express any concerns before the treatment and we can talk about it
Reschedule if you’re under the influence of anything or over-caffeinated
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It’s common to feel dreamy and sometimes tired after a session, as energy has been moved. Drink lots of water for the rest of the day. If possible, carve out time to be restful to integrate after your session.
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It all depends on the pattern we’re treating and your needs. As an example, treating acute pain after an injury would call for more frequent visits (e.g. every few days) while treating insomnia might only call for 1x/week. Treating the menstrual cycle would be schedule according to your cycle, and some people come in once a month for general maintenance. Other times, a single session is all you need! At the end of our session I will give you a recommendation for how often I’d suggest you to come.
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See the About page for details.
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I can answer any of your questions or concerns. Email me at moonsteeped@gmail.com or fill out the form on the Contact page. Chinese medicine isn’t super common in the West, so there’s truly no such thing as a dumb question.
Acupuncture
General
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Moonsteeped is many things, but mostly:
1) An acupuncture clinic
2) A community space for tea tastings, classes & workshops, meditations, qigong, movie nights, etc.
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This place is the convergence of my passions in life (Chinese medicine, connecting over tea, learning, etc.) and a place for you to come as you are and connect with other like-minded humans. The prayer of this place is to be a sanctuary of calmness, comfort, enrichment, inspiration, connection, & nourishment. A place for all (including introverts & sensitive people) to feel cozy.
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Yes! Do you know where Nest coffee and Tacorita and Pat’s Pizza are in downtown Orono? Follow that street down until you see a 3-story cement building. Moonsteeped is located on the ground floor at 121 Mill Street in Orono, Maine.
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The space is not open for walk-ins. It functions half as an acupuncture clinic (you must book an appointment) and as a community space with various events throughout the week.
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Chinese medicine is my career, but my true passion is bringing people together over tea. To me, there’s nothing better than sitting around sharing a pot of tea — engaging in meaningful discussion, learning something new, creating, enjoying. I pour a Chinese style of tea service which is meditative and centering. It’s my favorite subject, so ask many questions (:
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All throughout the week we host various events & offerings paired with tea, including tea tastings, Chinese medicine workshops, art classes, silent tea meditations, movie nites, etc. See the Events page to browse upcoming events!
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