Chinese Medicine > What To Expect
What To Expect During Your TCM Healing Journey
Your Journey Of Weaving Life With TCM
Every healing journey has its own rhythm.
Once we begin care together, your path will unfold—sometimes steadily, sometimes in spirals. This page offers a gentle map of what to expect during your acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment at Tsumugi Healing Arts, so you can feel grounded, prepared, and supported as we go.
Below is a gentle outline of the phases we may move through together.
You’re welcome to scroll at your own pace, or click a section to explore specific parts of the journey.
Reweaving Balance: What Treatment Might Look Like
“How long will it take?” is a natural question—and one with many answers.
Every body, every story, and every pattern is different.
But a helpful lens is this: How long has the imbalance been present? And how deeply is it woven into your system?
Recent or mild conditions:
(Example: postpartum mastitis, sudden pain, recent emotional distress)
Your body hasn’t fully adapted to the imbalance yet
The pattern is soft, responsive—like silk just beginning to twist
With the right support, healing may begin within days or weeks
If the same symptoms keep returning, we’ll look deeper to explore the root cause
Severe or chronic conditions:
(Example: endometriosis, chronic anxiety, hormonal patterns spanning years)
Your body may have learned to live around the imbalance as a survival strategy
Healing may feel disruptive at times—like unweaving threads that once held things together feels like a threat to the body
You may notice new layers as old ones begin to shift
If structural changes are involved, care may be ongoing and cyclical
Healing is not linear. The weave evolves—and we follow it with care.
Setting Intention: The Power Of Words
Each session begins with a check-in: What would you like to work on today?
Even when we have a long-term goal, we always pause to clarify the present moment.
This allows room for:
New symptoms or changes that need attention
Emotional shifts that ask to be witnessed
A sense of ownership over your healing
Note: “Whatever you think” or “I’ll leave it up to you” is not a valid intention here.
This is your treatment. The sense of ownership and clear intention is important.
Even a small, clear statement—like “I want more energy today” or “my digestion feels off and I’d like some support”—helps shape the session and sets boundaries for what you’re ready to receive.
When Things Feel Worse Before They Feel Better
Sometimes, symptoms may intensify before they release.
This is not a setback—it’s your body releasing what’s been held.
You may notice:
Temporary fatigue, fever, or headaches
Emotional release or mood shifts
Changes in your cycle: spotting, clotting, heavier flow
Digestive shifts like nausea or more frequent bowel movements
This is part of the healing process.
If it feels like too much—please don’t cancel. Reach out.
We’re here to walk through it with you.
Revisiting The Path: Resetting Goals & Strategies
As we move forward, your needs might shift—and that’s not only okay, it’s expected.
You might say:
“I wasn’t ready for herbs before, but I’m curious now.”
“Weekly sessions are getting too much—I’d like to move toward guidance-based support.”
“I thought I wanted relief from X, but now Y feels more important.”
We welcome these check-ins. They’re signs that you’re listening inward—and that’s healing.
Together, we’ll reassess, adjust, and continue in alignment.
When Progress Feels Unclear: Doubts Along The Way
Sometimes it may feel like your symptoms aren’t improving—and you might begin to doubt the path you're on. That’s natural. Healing can be slow, subtle, and sometimes invisible at first. But it doesn’t mean nothing is happening.
Please don’t cancel your appointment. Instead, bring your concerns so we can explore them together.
Some common patterns we see in these moments:
The mind is moving faster than the body’s pace
Old beliefs like “Nothing will change” or “I won’t get better” start to resurface
Improvements are happening—but aren’t being noticed yet
Factors outside the treatment room may be holding progress back
It may be time to add herbal support or revisit lifestyle strategies
Goals may need to be adjusted to better reflect where you are now (more on this HERE)
These check-ins are important. Healing isn’t a straight line—and open conversations help us re-align.
Book an Online Session to talk it through.
It’s Your Healing—But You’re Not Alone
You don’t need to know everything, be “good” at healing, or do this perfectly.
What matters is that you show up—honestly, gently, and with curiosity.
We’ll walk you through:
The “why” behind each strategy
The options available at each step
The tools that meet you where you are
So that you are empowered throughout your journey.
This is collaborative care. You lead.
And together, we keep weaving.
Staying Well: The Art of Preventive Care
Healing isn’t just for when things go wrong. It’s also for staying well—especially as you move through different seasons, life stages, and emotional landscapes.
Once your main symptoms improve or your goals are met, ongoing care becomes a space for maintenance, reflection, and prevention.
You don’t have to wait for another flare-up or crash to reach out.
Many people benefit from:
Seasonal tune-ups every 3 months
Check-ins during life transitions or emotional shifts
Support when aging, hormones, or stress change the rhythm of daily life
Like tending a garden, the goal is to nourish before unraveling.
You’re always welcome—not because something is wrong, but because your well-being matters.
Whether it’s an acupuncture session or a check-in for guidance, care is always available.
Moxibustion (Moxa)
Bodywork (Acupressure, Tui na, Gua Sha, Cupping)
Movement (Qi gong, Tai chi)
Curious About treatment options? Explore: