what to expect after your first acupuncture treatment

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. ...

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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.

What should you not do 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.

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.

What should I expect from my first acupuncture?

When asked to describe their experience, first time acupuncture clients describe the treatment as being pleasurable and relaxing. Most people fall asleep during treatment. Others feel as if they are floating with a tingling, warm sensation. Other sensations that may be felt are heaviness, heat and cold.

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.

How can you tell if acupuncture is working?

The following are the most common signs indicate your acupuncture treatment is working.Sign 1: Pain Relief. ... Sign 2: Improved Sleep Pattern. ... Sign 3: Eating Better. ... Sign 4: Circulating Well. ... Sign 5: Elimination Properly. ... Sign 6: Breathing Easy. ... Sign 7: A Sense of Emotional Wellbeing. ... Sign 8: Uneventful Menstruation.

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.

Can acupuncture cause detox symptoms?

The detoxing effects of Acupuncture can last for around 3 days. During this time the body is cleansing and removing toxins and waste build-up from the body. Because of this, clients may report fatigue and discomfort. However, others can report feeling revitalised.

How long does acupuncture take 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.

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.

What are the negative side effects of acupuncture?

As with any treatment, acupuncture may cause side effects in some individuals....Side effects may include:Pain and bleeding from the needle insertion.Nausea.Infections.Skin rash.Allergic reaction.Bruising around the area the needles were placed.Dizziness17.

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 6 to 8 treatments.

Can acupuncture release emotions?

Since acupuncture works by addressing the root cause of a condition, the process can cause repressed emotions to surface. You may be quicker to cry or notice yourself feeling more sentimental than usual. In general, emotions—good or bad—are felt more intensely. This is a good thing.

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.

What does it mean when your body is in a reversing process?

While the body is in a reversing process of healing, it often notices that the recurred symptoms are not causing as strong discomfort as a normal attack.

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 to get rid of toxins after acupuncture?

After your acupuncture session, your body releases toxins into your system. Drinking plenty of water helps flush out the toxins from your body. Avoid drinking coffee and alcohol after acupuncture because they can cause dehydration. Also, both coffee and alcohol cause your body to lose awareness. Acupuncture aims to promote better clarity and awareness of how we feel. Consuming alcoholic beverages can reduce your senses while coffee can falsely boost them. Hence, both drinks can either redress or mask the effects of acupuncture. That is why it is better to avoid them a day or two after acupuncture.

How does acupuncture help with toxins?

Acupuncture releases toxins from your body. Eating healthy foods helps boost the acupuncture therapy benefits. Consuming unhealthy foods, such as processed foods and sugars, can bring back toxins. Choose foods packed with antioxidants and fibres and those with proven healing properties, such as curcumin.

What does chi do to your body?

A balanced chi helps your mind become calmer and clearer and regulates your sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight response). Post-acupuncture allows you to enjoy a breather from the busy world we live in. Clicking the TV on means watching news flashes, incessant advertisements, and hearing screaming pundits and more noise. Staying away from the television means extending your state of acu-bliss.

Should I use heat or ice for acupuncture?

“Should I use heat or ice?” That is one of the most common concerns of acupuncture patients looking for pain relief. Acupuncture practitioners recommend applying heat to the affected area.

What is the first thing an acupuncturist checks?

Internal organs check. img source: unsplash.com. The first thing that every acupuncture expert will do is to check the internal organs and their conditions. That means that you should be prepared for an abdominal check, but also a puls and tongue check.

What does a tongue check tell you?

A simple tongue check can tell them a lot about the digestive system condition and if there are some sleep problems and the state of the metabolism. It is crucial to avoid food that can change the color of your tongue before the acupuncture and not brush it that day because it can give them the wrong diagnoses.

Is acupuncture painful?

The Verdict. img source: unsplash.com. Many people want to try acupuncture, but they are too afraid of needles, and they are convinced that it is a painful treatment, but the truth is different. Needles used in this treatment are thin like hair, so it is almost impossible to feel them during the whole treatment.

Can you drink herbal supplements after acupuncture?

img source: unsplash.com. In most cases, the acupuncturist will give you some herbal formula or supplement to drink after the treatment for some time. It is important to drink them as prescribed because they are a crucial part of the whole treatment.

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.

How to relax before needles?

By relaxing before the needles are set, you keep your muscles and nerves relaxed and receptive. This makes it easier on your acupuncturist. If you are worried, simply ask your acupuncturist questions and try breathing slow and deep and focus on the breath.

What can an acupuncturist do with notes?

And with the help of your notes, your acupuncturist will be able to answer your concerns and questions if unexpected effects appear. Most acupuncturists are more than happy to share their knowledge and help address and ease your concerns.

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 ...

Can you take notes before or after an acupuncture appointment?

Know that you can take notes both before and after your appointment to help enhance your acupuncture experience. A good acupuncturist is here to educate you and really listen. There are a few more things to consider when preparing for your first appointment.