Information

Frequently asked questions

What can I expect from my first session at The Hillsman Clinic?

You will need to fill out some basic intake forms. I can send these over email, so that you can fill them out at home, or you can arrive early to complete the forms before your appointment.  Before your treatment, we’ll talk for a while – during this intake process, you can tell me about your health concerns and reasons for seeking treatment. I will discuss treatment options, such as acupuncture, tuina, or herbs and the vast majority of patients will begin their treatments on the first visit.

What happens during a Regular treatment?

Each treatment begins with an intake. This is an opportunity to let me know how you are doing – we can discuss what your treatment goals are. After this, most patients will lay on a massage table for 25-40 minutes. During this time, they may receive a combination of bodywork therapies. This may be tuina, acupuncture, craniosacral, therapeutic heat (moxibustion) and other strategies. Many patients find that they sink into a deeply relaxed state during these treatments.

Some patients will receive herbal prescriptions. I may suggest a traditional herbal formula that suits your needs, or create a custom formula from scratch. These medicines can be purchased at the herbal pharmacy Yong Sheng in Tucson (see information below) or through certain online vendors. In addition to herbs, I may also offer suggestions for food and lifestyle therapies.

A number of other things may be offered in treatments. Sometimes, I work with the patient in a chair instead of the table, if for instance I am doing therapeutic bodywork on the neck and shoulders. Other things may be included in treatments too: I may use tools such as fire cupping and guasha. For patients who are seeking help with psycho-emotional patterns, I may offer healing trancework exercises, which are a form of inner journeying (like a meditation.)

Each treatment is unique – I custom tailor treatments to patient needs. Many patients will receive a combination of therapies. Others may need a treatment focused specifically on one or two modalities.

What types of patients do you see?

Currently I see adults (men and women) of all ages, 18+ . I may see some teenagers and children on a case-by-case basis, although this is not my specialty. I’m a general practitioner, so I treat a wide variety of conditions. Please call and we can discuss your specific case.

What do I need to do before treatment?

Wear comfortable loose fitting clothing that allows access to your arms and lower legs. Make sure you have regular meals and water throughout the day, before you come into treatment – avoid coming to treatment on an empty stomach.

How many treatments will I need?

This is something that can vary tremendously based on the patient and condition. Some conditions greatly improve in 1-3 treatments. Other conditions, especially those that are complex and long-standing might require a course of 10-12 treatments or more.

Most of my patients see me for specific conditions – often conditions that interfere with their quality of life. My goal is to bring healing to these issues as soon as possible. In such cases, I measure success by how quickly I can get patients back to living life as normal. Other patients choose to see me for ongoing work, more than a specific issue. Ongoing treatment is sometimes necessary when dealing with deep or chronic issues. Also, some patients have abundant health, but they come for regular treatment to maintain or improve their wellness!

These healing arts may benefit all of the following:

1) those who need to recover from a specific problem.

2) those who need ongoing healing for deep or long-standing issues.

3) those who want to expand in health and achieve their lifestyle goals.

Naturally the treatment goals for each patients is different. Please give me a call and we can discuss your unique goals and needs.

How long will I get relief from my condition?

This is another question that is different for every patient. However, I will say there’s a general misconception that acupuncture and Oriental Medicine only provides temporary relief. The truth is many patients recover or see drastic improvement through the types of healing arts that I practice. Full recovery and restoration of health is always the goal. Actual results vary based on patient and condition, but I can tell you that I’ve seen many cases where people make real and long-lasting changes.

Can I request a specific kind of treatment modality?

Yes, we can talk about it. As an example, some patients specifically request tuina or only want an herbal prescription (there are other requests people make too.) Also, some patients have certain modalities they want to avoid, which might be for any variety of reasons. I try to be as accommodating as possible in designing each of my patient’s treatments. However, I do not guarantee the performance of any service. We can discuss your situation in advance and, in most cases, I am able to work out an arrangement that works well with patient needs. Otherwise, I can offer to refer you to another practitioner.

I’m interested in treatment, but I have a specific concern. What can we do?

Please share this with me. I treat all types of people from all ages, levels of health, backgrounds, and walks of life. Of course many people have certain preferences and needs. Please call me and we can discuss what options may work for you before we begin treatment.

I’m afraid of needles, but I want to try acupuncture. Does it hurt?

Fear of needles is very common, and my goal is to always provide maximum comfort. There are a number of things we can do to make the treatment a pleasant experience. For patients that are afraid of needles, fewer needles or the thinnest needles may be chosen. The treatment space is kept relaxing and clean. All of my patients receive needle insertion strategies designed to minimize pain. However, a small amount of pain is not unusual, especially when the needle is inserted. Pain from needling usually goes away fast and the patient often finds themselves drifting into a place of relaxation soon after. It is far more common for patients to experience strange sensations like heaviness or electric sensations from needles than it is to experience pain.

How do I get my herbal prescription?

Currently, herbal formulas can be picked up at:

Yong Sheng Herbs & More

2932 E Broadway Blvd,

Tucson, AZ 85716

(520) 325-6829