what to expect after first treatment of acupunture

• Positive effects. Most people feel better after an acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture can be so relaxing that people doze off during the treatment – leading to the nickname “acu-nap”.
• At the needle site…. You may notice a tingling, aching, soreness or numbness around the area. Some people feel like a needle is still in the skin.
• Bruising…. Any therapy that breaks the surface of the skin can produce minor bleeding. ...
• Most common response…. In the beginning you may notice small changes or no change at all. The change may last for just a day or two and then go back.
• Quick changes…. Sometimes people have dramatic and lasting improvement with very few treatments. In this case the treatment plan is adjusted down.
Any change is a good change…. In about 5-10% of cases the issue being treated acts up for 24 hours following the session, followed by great relief.
Slow changes…. Sometimes results take longer than predicted. It is still possible that you will benefit from acupuncture.
Observe your body…. Pay attention to your body for the next 24-48 hours. Take note of any changes that you notice. ...
More on changes…. It is important for you to go about your day as you normally would. Feeling better may prompt you to increase your activity.
Feeling better…. After you are feeling better it is best to gradually space out treatments. Many people find regular maintenance treatments very helpful.

Full Answer

What not to do after an acupuncture treatment?

Jun 11, 2019 · Acupuncture Effects: what to expect after your treatment. Positive effects. Most people feel better after an acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture can be so relaxing that people... At the needle site…. You may notice a tingling, aching, soreness or numbness around the area. Some people feel like a... ...

How should I feel after my acupuncture treatment?

Sometimes after receiving an acupuncture treatment you may feel a little lightheaded or “woozy.” If that is the case, please sit for a while in our waiting area. In a few minutes you’ll be relaxed and clear-headed. It’s best if you do not come to your appointment on an empty or full stomach.

What should you do after an acupuncture session?

Apr 25, 2021 · It might feel unnatural the first few sessions, but it’s in your best interest to ignore the needles and focus on your breath. Some emotions and sensations may come up during treatment. For one session, I cried from the time that the needles were inserted until the end of the session. After the needles were removed, I felt lighter and more relaxed.

How long does acupuncture last after treatment?

Oct 19, 2021 · Immediate Reactions After Acupuncture (the first 24-48 hours) 1. Relaxation: You may feel deeply relaxed which lasts for hours or even for a day. 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.

Does acupuncture work after one treatment?

Acupuncture is a process. It is very rare that a problem can be resolved in one treatment. In China, a typical protocol for any chronic condition is acupuncture every other day for three months.

How long does it take to feel better after acupuncture?

Acupuncture has a short term effect. The period of time you will feel its therapeutic benefits is around 3-4 days. If you are having it only and your problem isn't chronic, you can have it once a week.

Can you feel worse after acupuncture before you feel 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.Jan 30, 2019

How do you know if acupuncture is working?

Acupuncture needles are much thinner than medical needles, and they are solid, not hollow. The needles may cause some muscle sensations, such as dull ache or tingling. Your practitioner will ask you to report when you feel a deep heaviness or numbness. Those sensations usually mean the treatment is working.Oct 14, 2020

What should you not do after acupuncture?

What NOT To Do After AcupunctureDon't become a busy body. In short terms, experts recommend resting after acupuncture therapy near LAX. ... Don't take coffee and alcohol. ... Avoid ice and cold. ... This isn't the period for junk food. ... Don't engage in stressful activities.Jun 12, 2020

What should I avoid after acupuncture?

Acupuncture clients should stick to healthy foods, ideally those rich in antioxidants, after a session in order to promote the elimination of toxins from the body. Avoid anything overly processed, fried, refined sugars, caffeine, and alcohol.Nov 28, 2021

Are you supposed to be sore after acupuncture?

Soreness from acupuncture typically dissipates within 24 hours. However, big trigger point releases can cause residual soreness that lasts a few days. Most acupuncturists will warn you about this before you leave your appointment. Although less common than soreness, bruising can occur at the needling site.

Can I shower after acupuncture?

After acupuncture, massage, cupping and/or any other type of body work, you should not take a shower or go swimming for 12-24 hours. This allows the treatment to remain in the body undisturbed.Oct 12, 2020

Can I take painkillers after acupuncture?

Thus, if the pain worse after acupuncture, do not panic or worry, but take some sensible steps to help calm the pain, like resting, apply red flower oil locally, or take some painkillers if needed.

Why do I feel worse after acupuncture?

Intensified Symptoms: acupuncture stimulates the body to help it heal faster, and as a result, it can intensify your symptoms as your body works through it. The increased intensity means that your body is healing.Dec 14, 2020

How often should acupuncture be done?

A common treatment plan for a single complaint would typically involve one or two treatments a week. The number of treatments will depend on the condition being treated and its severity. In general, it's common to receive six to eight treatments.Mar 26, 2021

What are 3 benefits of acupuncture?

Top 10 Benefits of Acupuncture for Workplace Stress and PainReduced Stress. ... Reduced 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.More items...

What does it feel like to be acupunctured?

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

What to do if your doctor doesn't talk to you?

If your doctor does not talk to you about your treatment plan, solicit the information. Find out when you should come back and if there is anything you should do in the meantime. 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. It will keep your Qi moving and continue the treatment you are receiving. Your doctor may also want to see you briefly if your next appointment is several weeks away in order to take your pulse and observe your tounge and possibly make modifications to your herbal formula.

What is pulse in Chinese medicine?

They will have you relax your arms and will feel your radial pulse for a minute or more on each side. Sometimes they will return to a pulse they have already felt. Every doctor has a slightly different technique, and some doctors are more skilled in pulse taking than others. This art has been practiced in some form in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. It gives the practitioner information about your entire body and everything in it.

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.

Is acupuncture a form of acupuncture?

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. It will keep your Qi moving and continue the treatment you are receiving.

Do Chinese doctors have business skills?

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. You should be able to expect an effortless appointment set-up process, possibly the mailing of pre-appointment paperwork and related informational materials and a kind reception with plenty of willingness to answer questions. You may even be referred to a website for more information and for downloading paperwork – that's a sign of someone who's been doing their business homework!

What is the first part of an acupuncture session?

The first part of each session is a check-in where the acupuncturist will ask about your medical history and symptoms. Be honest about what is bothering you and use this time to ask any questions that may be on your mind. It is equally as important to talk about your experience after and ask any lingering questions. Building a rapport with your acupuncture will allow them to tailor the treatment to you and allow you to relax during treatment.

Does acupuncture help with back pain?

A number of research studies suggest that it may help relieve chronic pain such as low-back pain, neck pain, and osteoarthritis/knee pain. While the effects of acupuncture are only beginning to be understood, it’s believed that other factors unrelated to needling, such as expectation, play a part in the beneficial effects. Read more information on the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health’s website.

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.

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 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 does acupuncture help you?

Acupuncture helps bring you into a place of balance, where your sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight response) is no longer in overdrive. Your mind is calmer and clearer, enjoying a respite from the overstimulating world in which we live. As soon as you click on that TV, it all comes flooding back -- incessant advertising, screaming pundits, news flashes, noise and more noise. Keep the TV off and you'll extend your state of acu-bliss.

How to get rid of toxins after acupuncture?

Acupuncture helps bring the toxins out. Don't knowingly put them back in by eating poor-quality food. Avoid processed foods and sugar. Go for foods with proven healing properties ( curcumin, which comes from the Turmeric plant, is a great example). Think about food as sustenance and eating as an opportunity to continue healing your body after acupuncture. When we conceive of food in this way, fast food and other junk become less appealing. After acupuncture, imagine the foods that would make you feel nourished and healthy, then go eat them.

Can you drink coffee after acupuncture?

Since alcohol and coffee both cause dehydrating effects on the body, they should be avoided after 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.

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.

Why do acupuncturists inspect the tongue?

Acupunct urists 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. This is because these three different areas correspond to different organ systems in the body. Interestingly, many practitioners say that by just inspecting the tongue, they can evaluate how well your digestive system works, along with the state of your metabolism, spleen, and sleep health.

What size needles do acupuncturists use?

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. In more technical terms, needles are measured in gauges — the higher the gauge, the smaller the diameter.

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 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.

Does acupuncture make you feel better?

Acupuncture focuses on the whole body with all of its complex interconnections, and you might be surprised to find that even if you’re feeling “okay,” acupuncture can make you feel great. Often, people will come in for neck, shoulder, or back pain, and then experience release in other areas of the body.

Can you wear clothes for acupuncture?

Unlike a massage, you’ll be able to keep on your clothes for the acupuncture session. That said, it’s best if you wear loose fitting clothes that can easily be rolled up or maneuvered. In certain cases, acupuncturists will give you a hospital-like gown to wear in order to access your entire back.

What are the side effects of acupuncture?

The most common side effects of acupuncture are things everyone wants: better sleep, more energy, mental clarity, better digestion and less stress. One or several of these side effects occur routinely for many, many acupuncture goers. Following the publication of an article on the most common side effects of acupuncture, ...

How to stop feeling lightheaded after acupuncture?

If you find yourself feeling lightheaded after the treatment, sit in your acupuncturist's waiting room for a few minutes and take some deep breaths. Acupuncture can be a physically and emotionally intense experience, and sometimes our bodies are not fully recovered at exactly the moment our hour is up.

Where is the acupuncture needle located?

I've found that this most commonly occurs with points in the hands and feet, especially Large Intestine 4, an acupuncture point located between the thumb and index finger.

Does acupuncture make you feel better?

While most people notice a marked improvement in their symptoms following acupuncture, some feel worse before they start feeling better. In natural medicine circles, this is sometimes referred to as a healing crisis. The idea is that as your body starts undergoing the changes involved in moving toward health, things get stirred up. This can cause not only an exacerbation of current symptoms but also the recurrence of previous ailments that had been dormant.

Can acupuncture needles cause bruising?

Although less common than soreness, bruising can occur at the needling site. Sometimes bruising is the result of a hematoma, a localized collection of blood that gets initiated when the needle punctures the skin. Bruises, unfortunately, usually last longer than soreness from an acupuncture needle. Still, they generally are not anything to worry about beyond the aesthetic inconvenience.

Can acupuncture cause muscle twitching?

People may experience involuntary muscle twitching during or after acupuncture. I've seen this occur in muscles that receive acupuncture needles and, as in my case, on seemingly random parts of the body that are far away from any needles. Muscle twitching is different from full-on muscle spasm.

Can acupuncture cause lightheadedness?

Lightheadedness. This is pretty rare, but it can happen -- and on very rare occasions, post-acupuncture lightheadedness can result in fainting. Getting up quickly from the acupuncture table can cause lightheadedness, as can coming for acupuncture on an empty stomach.

How to rest after acupuncture?

Acupuncturists recommend that you rest after your appointment to continue the healing process. Drink plenty of water, and stay comfortable. Don’t plan a big workout right after an acupuncture session. Some people feel relaxed and restful. Some people are energized.

What to wear to an acupuncture appointment?

Wear the Proper Clothing. On the day of your appointment, it is important to wear the proper clothing. Loose fitting clothes are great for acupuncture appointments because the practitioner can roll up the clothing items, or ask you to do so if that’s more comfortable for you, to ensure that the right points can be reached. 3.

Is acupuncture intimidating?

Acupuncture doesn’t have to be intimidating for first-time users. With amazing benefits, your appointment can be one you will never forget. Acupuncture might not be for everyone, but for most, the needles and pressure points treatment helps drastically. If you might be interested in trying acupuncture, find and take time to chat with ...

How to get a better recovery time?

Take a deep breath before your appointment begins to get relaxed and let go of any frustrations or anxiety you brought in with you. By being relaxed, you can help improve both your treatment and your recovery time.

Is acupuncture scary?

The thought of needles puncturing your skin is often fearsome for most people…. But acupuncture doesn’t have to be scary or intimidating. You’ll find that the benefits outweigh the fear, and there is nothing to worry about. In fact, it can be a relaxing ...