what should you expect after first acupuncture treatment

8 Things to Expect From Your First Acupuncture Experience

1. There will be a lengthy interview before hand, with questions you usually don’t get asked.. Just like the standard...
2. Your session might be covered by insurance.. Bring your insurance card with you to your appointment! Better yet, call...
3. Acupuncture might treat more than your current ailment.. If...

Full Answer

What not to do after an acupuncture treatment?

• DO NOT have a strenuous workout, like Crossfit or massive cardio, after your session. ...
• DO NOT get hammered at that company/social gathering right afterwards. ...
• DO NOT starve yourself, forget to hydrate, or eat crap food (super-greasy, with lots of empty calories and refined, processed ingredients), directly after treatment. ...

More items...

How should I feel after my acupuncture treatment?

After an acupuncture treatment, most people feel relaxed. The stress of the day has melted away and a pleasant calmness has taken its place. In the days that follow, sleep, digestion, and energy are improved, and pain and stress are reduced. Quite often, however, acupuncture has deeper and more intense effects in the days following the treatment.

What should you do after an acupuncture session?

Things to Do After an Acupuncture Session

• Get Plenty of Rest. The goal of undergoing acupuncture is to obtain healing in an alternative manner. ...
• Opt for Light Exercise. If you’re a fitness buff, you may have the urge to jog or pump iron, again because of the fact that it’s very much likely for ...
• Stay Hydrated. ...
• Have Healthy Meals. ...
• Apply Heat. ...

How long does acupuncture last after treatment?

You may find that acupuncture effects can last a week or longer, and you can schedule appointments less frequently. Eventually, you may only need to visit your acupuncturist every month or every other month to maintain your results.

How should I feel after my first acupuncture treatment?

Immediate Reactions After Acupuncture (the first 24-48 hours)Relaxation: You may feel deeply relaxed which lasts for hours or even for a day. ... Emotions: Some patients would become more emotionally sensitive for a short period of time. ... Pain Relief: Acupuncture is known for its instant pain relief. ... Elimination:

What can I expect at my first acupuncture treatment?

Typically, sessions may go for 20 to 30 minutes depending on your treatment. The acupuncturist will usually dim the lights and put on quiet music to help you relax. They'll come in and check on you throughout your session to make sure you're comfortable. Some patients actually fall asleep during the treatment.

How soon does acupuncture begin to work?

Generally after 30 minutes of treatment you should feel something working. The length of time needed for it to work depends on what medical problem is being treated and the type of accupuncture being used.

How long should you rest after acupuncture?

Acupuncture has a calming effect, so you may want to get a ride home from your appointments — especially the first one. If that's not possible, try to rest for five to 10 minutes before you drive. Your practitioner may suggest that you take it easy for a day or two after each session.

Do and don'ts after acupuncture?

What Should You NOT Do After Acupuncture?Avoid Caffeine & Alcohol. After an acupuncture session, your body works actively to flush out toxins. ... Avoid Strenuous Exercise. You may feel a boost of energy after your acupuncture treatment – this is one of its many benefits. ... Rest & Heal. ... How Can I Get Started with Acupuncture?

How do I know if acupuncture is working?

How do I know if my acupuncture treatment is working?Your pain will change. The key word here is change: change in location, severity, or intensity. ... Your sleep could improve (or change) ... Your mood will improve. ... You'll be more aware of your body. ... You'll have more energy.

Does acupuncture get worse before it gets better?

Sometimes following acupuncture, some feel worse before they start feeling better. People can feel tired after acupuncture. A more common result is increased energy. The fatigue after acupuncture is your body telling you that it's depleted.

What are 3 benefits of acupuncture?

Top 10 Benefits of Acupuncture for Workplace Stress and PainReduced Back Pain, Neck Tension and Relieve Joint Pain in the Hands and Arms. ... Relief from Headaches. ... Reduced Eye Strain. ... Improved Immune System and Reduced Sick Days. ... Enhanced Mental Clarity and Increased Energy. ... Relief from Digestive Conditions. ... Allergy Relief.More items...

What should I avoid after acupuncture?

So, what should clients avoid after acupuncture? Clients should avoid strenuous exercise, caffeine, junk food, alcohol, cold temperatures, digital screens, and, where possible, stressful situations.

Should you drink a lot of water after acupuncture?

Your body can easily become dehydrated after an acupuncture treatment so you need to make sure that you are drinking plenty of water. And avoid caffeine and alcohol. You need to avoid drinking caffeine and alcohol because they will dehydrate you even more. You also need to watch what you eat.

Should you shower after acupuncture?

The intense heat from Sauna and bath is considered an extra stimulation that may undo the energy reset. However hot showers are okay after acupuncture.

What happens to your body after acupuncture?

What to Expect After Treatment: In general, people tend to feel relaxed after an acupuncture treatment. And the days following might even mean better sleep, digestion, and an overall sense of well-being. But some patients report having a deeper, more intense effect in the days following a session.

Does acupuncture hurt first time?

Sometimes your first acupuncture treatment will be more painful than your following treatments. This could be because certain energy points on your body are being activated for the first time. Your symptoms may worsen slightly before they get better. “Pain isn't a negative thing, but you don't want it to last.

How long do the benefits of an acupuncture session last for?

In summary, the amount of time the effects of acupuncture last largely depends on the individual's age, symptoms, and treatments they are receiving. This means that the effects can last for either a few days to a couple of weeks.

Should you drink water after acupuncture?

Your body can easily become dehydrated after an acupuncture treatment so you need to make sure that you are drinking plenty of water. And avoid caffeine and alcohol. You need to avoid drinking caffeine and alcohol because they will dehydrate you even more. You also need to watch what you eat.

Why do I feel worse after acupuncture?

Sometimes following acupuncture, some feel worse before they start feeling better. People can feel tired after acupuncture. A more common result is increased energy. The fatigue after acupuncture is your body telling you that it's depleted.

What happens after acupuncture?

Long-term Reactions After Acupuncture. Running nose, sore throat and some cold symptoms may appear during the second or third week of an acupuncture treatment. In Chinese medicine, an unresolved cold or flu was the underlying cause of many health problems, like poor circulation, stiff neck and back and migraine.

How long does it take for pain to go away after acupuncture?

However, if you were treating chronic pain, you may notice the pain easing during the treatment session, but the pain comes back after a few hours or even return with a revenge.

Why do people put heavy covers on their acupuncture?

For many, they put heavy covers on the top of this emotion container, to hide their emotions from everyone. During the acupuncture session, this cover is melting away and emotions are streaming out. It is healthy to let the emotions set free from time to time.

How to get high after acupuncture?

In such a state of relaxation, your concentration may be downgraded: following conversations or focusing in meetings become difficult, or simply can’t keep awake. As modern medical researchers have noticed a higher amount of endorphins (body’s natural morphine in the brain) is secreted after the acupuncture treatment, that may explain why you may experience a natural high after acupuncture. The best thing you can do in this situation is rest – take it easy and having a nap afterwards or go to bed early. Y0ur body heals faster when you spend more time in a deep sleep state.

How do you know if you have a good elimination?

Both signs of good eliminations indicate body elevates the level of metabolism, or in the Chinese term, a better energy flow in kidney and spleen meridians.

Can you stop peeing after acupuncture?

Elimination: Some patients experience detox symptoms like more urination after the acupuncture session. Some have told me that they can’t stop going for a pee, up to ten times within one afternoon, without drinking more water. As you would expect, their bloating and water retention would be relieved significantly.

What does it feel like to be acupunctured?

You may feel like crying, laughing hysterically or expressing yourself in another way.

What is a pleasant experience in Chinese medicine?

1. A pleasant experience in setting up your appointment and getting your questions answered. It has been my experience that otherwise great Chinese medicine physicians don't have a lot of basic business skills. This can result in frustrating experiences for patients. This is not always the case, however.

What is an after arrival interview?

After arrival. 2. A lengthly interview process including questions that you may have never been asked before! Although every doctor has a slightly different interviewing process based on their training and personality, there are standard questions that most every doctor will ask.

Is group acupuncture affordable?

In some areas, “group acupuncture” may be available. This is a form of acupuncture where you will be treated – usually fully clothed – in a room with several others. It is typically very affordable and some doctors recommend it to their patients in between “regular” appointments.

Does a doctor restimulate a needle?

Sometimes the doctor will come back to restimulate the needle, producing more sensation and more Qi movement. They may use specialized techniques during this time to further encourage your body's Qi to help in your healing process. The final removal of the needles is usually painless.

What to know before acupuncture?

1. There will be a lengthy interview before hand, with questions you usually don’t get asked.

Why do acupuncturists ask questions?

While it may feel unrelated, acupuncturists ask these questions because many conditions can manifest from basic digestive functions or another seemingly unrelated system in the body. Do your best to answer them as accurately as possible to help your doctor best diagnose and treat you. 2.

What is needling acupuncture?

Though needling might be an acupuncture practitioner’s main tool, many are licensed in other therapies that fall under the umbrella of Chinese Traditional Medicine (TCM). These may include, gua sha, massage, cupping, Chinese herbs, heating/energy work, or acupressure. Depending on what your diagnosis is, your doctor might offer a menu of helpful treatments to get you back into a healthy alignment with your body and mind.

How many gauges are used for acupuncture?

On the flip side, most acupuncture needles range between 30-40 gauges, making them significantly more thin.

How thin is an acupuncture needle?

On the flip side, most acupuncture needles range between 30-40 gauges, making them significantly more thin. Most people are typically surprised by how little they feel the needle, both when it’s inserted into the body and after its in place.

What do acupuncturists do?

6. Remember to say “aah!”. Acupuncturists will want to address the state of your internal organs, so will likely take your pulse, feel your abdomen, and inspect the tongue before the needling begins.

Is acupuncture painless?

7. The needles are pretty painless. Even if you’re typically afraid of needles, you need not be alarmed when it comes to acupuncture! As far as size goes, the needles acupuncturists use are about the width of a few pieces of hair.

What to do after acupuncture?

After acupuncture, imagine the foods that would make you feel nourished and healthy, then go eat them. Now you know how to take care of yourself before and after an acupuncture treatment. The only thing left to do is make an appointment. Here's a great place to start. For more by Sara Calabro, click here.

How to take care of yourself after acupuncture?

Now, here are six ways to take care of yourself after an acupuncture treatment. Rest. You don't have to literally lie down or take a nap (although, bonus if you can). By rest, I mean, go easy. Don't help your friend move into a six-floor walkup apartment. Don't babysit for your sister's colicky baby and 2-month-old puppy.

Why is it important to stay hydrated after acupuncture?

This is for two reasons: 1) It's important to stay hydrated after acupuncture because it can cause toxins to be released into your system. Staying appropriately hydrated helps flush out these toxins. Since alcohol and coffee both cause dehydrating effects on the body, they should be avoided after acupuncture.

Why does acupuncture cause pain?

From an acupuncture perspective, many pain conditions are caused by stagnation. Things are not moving smoothly through the channels, causing blockages that lead to pain. Acupuncture restores flow, helping to eliminate these blockages. ( Watch this cool video to better understand this concept.)

How does acupuncture affect your body?

Acupuncture gets things moving, potentially causing your body to react in ways that it's not used to. You want to honor that experience by giving yourself time to see how things shake out.

How to get rid of a swollen ear after acupuncture?

Go light on exercise. A lot of people ask whether they can work out after acupuncture. Exercise is fine -- light, gradual movement can be a nice adjunct to an acupuncture treatment -- but be gentle. If you're a runner, try walking on the day you have acupuncture. If you normally take advanced yoga classes, give a beginner or intermediate class ...

Does coffee mess with acupuncture?

2) Alcohol and coffee mess with your bodily awareness. One of the main goals of acupuncture is to bring greater clarity and awareness to how we really feel. Since alcohol impairs the senses and coffee falsely heightens them, both can potentially counteract or mask the effects of acupuncture.

How does acupuncture work?

Eastern medicine sees acupuncture as a way of balancing life energy or life force, otherwise known as qi, by inserting needles into specific points along "pathways" called meridians. Western acupuncturists, on the other hand, see the procedure as a way to "stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissue" in a way that fires up your natural ...

Can you eat cold after acupuncture?

Use heat and avoid specific foods after an acupuncture treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine doctors aren't fond of anything cold — this includes eating anything cold like ice cream and smoothies, taking a cold shower, and even using an ice pack in parts of your body that might feel sore or tender after a session.

Does acupuncture help with toxins?

Because acupuncture helps your body get rid of toxins, it would be counterproductive to reintroduce other types of toxins into your body in the form of sugar or processed food; instead, pick healthy options that might allow your body to continue healing after your sessions.

Does acupuncture work in cold temperatures?

Indigo Healing Acupuncture says cold temperatures could actually undo the positive effects of acupuncture because it impedes both your energy flow and the healing process. Instead, soothe yourself with a warm bath and a hot pad on any part of the body that might need a bit of TLC after a session.

What happens after acupuncture?

After an acupuncture treatment, most people feel relaxed. The stress of the day has melted away and a pleasant calmness has taken its place. In the days that follow, sleep, digestion, and energy are improved, and pain and stress are reduced. Quite often, however, acupuncture has deeper and more intense effects in the days following the treatment.

How long does it take for acupuncture to heal?

The increased intensity means that your body is healing more quickly. It’s processing in one or two days what would have taken several days.

What are the side effects of acupuncture?

Another side effect of an acupuncture treatment is increased expression of emotion. Sometimes this occurs during the treatment itself. It is common for me to place a particular acupuncture needle and have a patient begin to cry or react emotionally.

Does acupuncture have a deeper effect?

Quite often, however, acupuncture has deeper and more intense effects in the days following the treatment. Because these reactions are more intense, people become unsure about the efficacy of acupuncture and whether or not to continue treatment. These effects are not only beneficial, but a necessary part of the medicine.