At Christina Bird Acupuncture, I am here to support you on your healing and self-care journey. The goal of my practice is to nourish your entire being: physically, mentally, and emotionally; and send you back out into the world feeling refreshed and renewed.

My practice focuses primarily on 90-minute sessions, so that we have ample time for intake and emotional processing, acupuncture, massage, and guided stretching. Below, I have described what is included in my 90-minute sessions. I also offer 60-minute truncated sessions for those with limited time or a tighter budget, and have a note at the end on how my 60-minute sessions differ.

Our initial session will be longer, taking around 2 hours, with subsequent sessions taking 90 minutes. I used to do only 60 minutes, but found that I had a difficult time fitting in all of the things I wanted to do into the session, so I shifted the format of how I treat patients.

I set aside time at the beginning of our session for intake and emotional processing. During that 20-30 minutes (closer to 35-45 minutes during our first time together), we will discuss your chief complaints, and take the time to discuss the details of how the complaint started, and any information that would be relevant for me to ask about or share (i.e. If we’re talking about headaches or low back pain, I may show you stretches associated with where you feel the pain. If the issue is constipation, I may show you squatting or self-massage techniques that can help move your bowels. Etc.) We will also take time to discuss your sleep, energy levels, digestion and elimination, head/ears/eyes/nose/throat (allergies, headaches, etc.), past or present menstrual or sexual issues, any type of pain, and other physical and emotional stressors. My office is a safe and confidential space for my patients to discuss things they may not be able to discuss in their normal life. 

I take my time when inserting the acupuncture needles. They are sharp objects being inserted into the body, so there is the possibility of discomfort, but that can be alleviated or even avoided by doing a light acupressure massage on each point before insertion, and regularly checking in with how you are feeling. This takes more time, but makes the overall experience much more calming and enjoyable. For people who have neck, shoulder, and back pain, I often do cupping, in addition to the acupuncture and massage. Once the needles have been inserted, I turn down the lights and leave you with a buzzer in case you need anything while the needles are in. The first time I treat any patient, I will stay in the room while I write out all my chart notes, in case you have any questions while on the table. After removing the needles, I do 15 minutes of massage, which gives me enough time to fully work on multiple troubling areas, or give great focus to a singular chief complaint. And if a patient doesn’t have any particular physical pain, I give an awesome foot massage. 

After the acupuncture and massage, your muscles are in a relaxed state, which makes it the perfect time to do stretches specific to your chief complaint. This allows a gentle reintegration of you into your body, before heading back out into the world.

My undergraduate studies focused on kinesiology; anatomy and physiology; and the prevention, care, assessment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. I learned special tests that allow me to assess injuries and choose proper rehabilitation strategies. Additionally, I spent three and a half years working as a Personal Trainer, during which I learned more about the body and training it for ideal performance. This knowledge allows me to assess specific injuries, but also helps me to understand how healthy bodies move and function. I incorporate that knowledge into the guided stretches I do with my patients.

Educating my patients is a top priority for me. There are certain things that only I can do, like the bodywork, but there are actions that people can take in their own lives that can help speed up recovery or improve quality of life. It is my goal to educate my patients on their body, how it properly functions, and what caused/is causing their current ailment. I always want to empower my people to be able to give themselves loving care.  

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90-minute sessions will include: - 20-30 minutes for intake, discussion of chief complaints and health concerns, and emotional processing - 25-35 minutes for acupuncture - 15 minutes of massage - Guided stretching, including static stretches and physical therapy exercises - (1st treatment will include an additional 15 minutes for health history intake)

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60-minute sessions will include: - 10-15 minutes for intake - 20-30 minutes for acupuncture - 5 minutes of massage - (1st treatment will include an additional 15 minutes for health history intake)

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Additional Info:

When you first start receiving treatments from me, we will start with a treatment every 1-2 weeks, depending on your chief complaint, symptoms, and level of pain. As we see progress, we will start to spread the treatments further apart. My goal is to always see my patients the least amount as possible. Overall, my intention is to give you such an incredible treatment in 90 minutes that you don’t have to come back often. Of course, when we first start working together and are just beginning work on your body, you will probably come more frequently, but my goal is to do such a good job that I see you less and less often. 

I have a high-quality air filter running in my treatment room, and wear a mask the entire time I am in my office. I also require my patients to wear a mask while we are in treatment, as I have many patients who are immunocompromised and appreciate the additional safety I provide for them in my space. Additionally, I clean with a Covid-approved cleaner, ensuring that you and your loved ones stay safe.

At Christina Bird Acupuncture, I am here to support you on your healing and self-care journey. Th... Read More