How should I feel after my acupuncture?
A heat lamp and/or space heater are available should you feel cold during your treatment. The needles will be left in for approximately 25-35 minutes. During this time the practitioner will check on you several times, and a finger bell will be available should you need to contact your acupuncturist for any reason.
What does acupuncture actually do?
Jan 27, 2022 · A typical treatment course for chronic conditions may be around 10-12 treatments in 6 weeks, and for acute conditions, it may look like 6 treatments in 4 weeks. Because each treatment builds on the last, I expect you to feel slowly yet progressively better with each treatment. It is also important to schedule a session immediately if you ever start to feel …
How to take care of yourself after an acupuncture treatment?
Needle manipulation — During treatment, the needles may be mildly manipulated, and heat or gentle electrical pulses may be applied to the needles. Needle removal — Needles are usually removed after approximately 10 to 20 minutes. People usually do not feel the needles being removed. Post acupuncture treatment
Can acupuncture make things worse?
Mar 08, 2019 · In general, it’s common to receive six to eight treatments. During the procedure. Acupuncture points are situated in all areas of the body. Sometimes the appropriate points are far removed from the area of your pain. Your acupuncture practitioner will tell you the general site of the planned treatment and whether you need to remove any clothing.
What can I expect at my first acupuncture session?
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.
How do I prepare for my first acupuncture appointment?
How to Prepare for an Acupuncture AppointmentSet Aside Time Before and After Your Appointment. ... Bring a List of All Your Current Medications and Supplements. ... Eat an Appropriate Amount Before Your Appointment. ... Opt for Loose-Fitting, Comfortable Clothing. ... Avoid Caffeine Before Your Appointment.
Do you have to get undressed for acupuncture?
Most acupuncturists will have you wear your underwear and will provide you with a gown, or cover you with a towel. Loose, comfortable clothing is the best thing to wear to an acupuncture treatment.
Do you feel anything during acupuncture?
Once a needle reaches its intended depth, you're likely to feel a mild, dull ache or a slight tingling sensation. This may be a sign that the treatment is working and the acupuncture point is being activated. You may also feel a heavy or electric sensation. Feelings of warmth may arise at the acupuncture points.Jul 19, 2018
Should you drink a lot of water after acupuncture?
It is very important for you to drink plenty of water. Your body can easily become dehydrated after an acupuncture treatment so you need to make sure that you are drinking plenty of water.Jul 25, 2018
Do I need to shave before acupuncture?
Yes, whatever makes you feel You. Hair styling. Wear your hair up or down, so long as you can comfortably lie on your back with your head resting on a pillow. Sometimes during treatment I use massage oils and waxes and your hair may get a little oily.Dec 10, 2018
Can you 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.
Can I eat before acupuncture?
You should eat at least anywhere from a few hours before a session to 45 minutes beforehand. If you don't even have a light snack, you may experience light-headedness, dizziness or even fainting. The same can be said if you are very hungry before a session. Acupuncture can then cause a short-term drop in blood sugar.Jun 6, 2018
Can you take an Epsom salt bath after acupuncture?
After your treatment: Remember to drink plenty of water after your treatment. This will assist in flushing toxins out of your body. A warm epsom salt bath is a fantastic way to complete the overall healing effects of your treatment.
Do people fall asleep during acupuncture?
There may be a noticeable pinch upon insertion of the needle which quickly passes. After that, there are sometimes tingling or slight aching sensations at or distant to the site of insertion. Most patients find acupuncture very relaxing and many fall asleep during treatment.
How do acupuncturists know where to put the needles?
You'll lie down or sit on a table, and the acupuncturist will put needles into various points on your body, called meridians. These are energy channels in the body. Through thousands of years of learning, traditional Chinese medicine has compiled very complete and complex systems of meridians.Jul 14, 2021
How deep does an acupuncture needle go?
The needle depth varies depending on location and what is being treated. Generally the needles are inserted approximately ¼- to ½-inch deep. Is there anything to avoid before and after acupuncture treatment? Avoid caffeine and alcohol immediately before and after receiving acupuncture.Aug 17, 2017
What does it feel like to be acupunctured?
You may feel like crying, laughing hysterically or expressing yourself in another way.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Acupuncture treatment at HAVEN Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine in Wilmington, NC
Many people are curious about what an acupuncture treatment is like and feel more comfortable when they know what to expect beforehand. This blog shares what it’s like to receive an acupuncture treatment at HAVEN Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine in Wilmington, NC.
Medical history and goal setting
The majority of the initial visit is actually spent talking. We’ll go through your health history. This includes what medications and supplements you are taking, and previous and current conditions. We’ll discuss your goals for the treatment. I often ask people to imagine that I have a magic wand.
Pulse reading
After our discussion is complete, I will check your pulses. The pulses are felt on the wrist just as a western medical practitioner would take pulses. In Chinese Medicine, we feel the pulses on both wrists, and we actually feel or “listen” to the pulses in twelve different positions.
Tongue diagnosis
After the pulse taking, I’ll examine your tongue. I’ll ask you to stick out your tongue at me (yes, you read that correctly!). I’ll look at the size, shape, color, and qualities of the coating on the tongue. The major organs are also represented on the tongue. Looking at the tongue gives additional insight into how the organs are processing energy.
How big are those acupuncture needles?!
Next, I’ll show what the acupuncture needles look like. They come in sterile, single use sealed packages. They are safely disposed of after use. People are often surprised to see how tiny the needles are. They are generally about the width of a human hair.
Getting comfortable and preparing for treatment
At this point, I will leave the treatment room and let you get comfortable on the treatment table. You can snuggle up in blankets and enjoy the table warmer if you like. I then analyze the information we discussed and design a treatment plan to help restore the proper balance of energy in your body and address your concerns.
About the Author
Ericca Burke is the owner of HAVEN Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine where she provides acupuncture and Chinese medicine treatments in Wilmington, NC. Click this link to read more about Ericca.
Why do people do acupuncture?
Why it's done. Acupuncture is used mainly to relieve discomfort associated with a variety of diseases and conditions, including: Chemotherapy-induced and postoperative nausea and vomiting. Dental pain. Headaches, including tension headaches and migraines. Labor pain . Low back pain. Neck pain. Osteoarthritis.
How long do needles stay in place?
Needle removal. In most cases, the needles remain in place for 10 to 20 minutes while you lie still and relax. There is usually no discomfort when the needles are removed.