what to expect the day after the first 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.

Full Answer

What should you do after an acupuncture session?

Jun 11, 2019 · 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”. Other typical results include feeling energized, feeling clear headed, a …

What to know before your first acupuncture appointment?

Oct 19, 2021 · I have shortlisted the most common reactions after acupuncture, these patterns happen on patients over and over again from my 20+ years of practice. 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: …

What not to do after an acupuncture treatment?

Plan to take it easy after your 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.

How should I feel after my acupuncture?

Sep 12, 2014 · Feeling unwell, sweating, tiredness can be symptoms of a healing crisis. In the case of physical injuries, the results can be mixed some clients report immediate relief while others have reported an increase in pain within the 24 hours after the session. Then they feel much better after the initially period.

How long do you leave a needle in for a syringe?

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.

Can acupuncture make you worse?

Very rarely, symptoms may become worse after an acupuncture treatment. This is often a sign that previously dormant conditions are being awakened so that complete healing may occur. This should pass quickly. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the clinic.

Can you feel lightheaded after acupuncture?

Plan to take it easy after your 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.

Acute Conditions

Usually, with acute conditions, the response is more immediate and feeling of well-being can be felt in a short period of time. A deep sense of relaxation and wellness experienced during the treatment can indicate the treatment is working and the energy in the body is beginning to flow in the correct direction.

Physical Injuries

In terms of physical injuries when I have treated people close to the time of the injury occurring the quicker the response has been. One particular case in my early days of practice was when a client who pulled muscles in their chest in the gym came to me 3-4 days after it occurring for treatment.

Chronic Conditions

Chronic conditions or physical injuries can be more difficult to treat. The longer a condition is present and goes untreated the more difficult it can be to resolve. The person’s energy (qi) can be withdrawn and needs a lot more stimulation to bring it to the surface.

Common Responses

Sometimes soreness can appear around the points this usually fades within a few hours

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.

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 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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.