In most cases, follow-up treatments are scheduled weekly (see PATIENT COMMITMENT).  As patients improve, fewer treatments are needed.  Eventually, only one treatment every two to three months will be needed to continue the healing process.  Since Classical Five-Element AcupunctureÔ is preventative-as well as curative-patients are encouraged to schedule seasonal treatments to maintain optimum health.  Imbalances in Qi energy can then be detected and corrected before they manifest as physical or emotional symptoms.