The initial consultation usually lasts one and a half hours, but may last up to two hours. During this consultation, you’ll be asked to describe all of your symptoms in the following way:
- Sensation the symptom produces, for example, is the pain burning, sharp or shooting etc.
- What makes the symptom better or worse
- Intensity and time of day when the symptom happens most frequently
- Location of the symptom
- When and how the symptom started
- Symptoms that happen together, such as chilliness accompanied by cold sweat
You’ll also be asked to describe general physical, mental, and emotional characteristics that are typical for you including:
- How you define stress
- Your mental, emotional and physical reaction to stressors
- Level of thirst
- Appetite including food cravings and dislikes
- Food sensitivities
- Body temperature when you are feeling well versus how your body temperature changes when you are ill
- Urinary, bowel and digestive function
- Sleep quality and typical themes experienced while dreaming
- Fears and phobias
- Reactions to weather and seasonal changes
- Environmental sensitivities
- How symptoms generally appear when you get a cold or the flu
