The acupuncturist will ask about your medical history and symptoms. They'll also do an exam — similar to what you'd experience in a doctor visit. In addition, they may look at your tongue. This is a way for them to find any imbalances in your body.
Avoid Heavy Greasy Foods and Caffeine
It is also recommended to avoid heavy, greasy meals or drinks at extreme temperatures before and after your appointment. Avoid caffeine before and after your appointment as well, as it can alter your healing time.
Protein or fresh, whole food is recommended. 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.
Clients should avoid strenuous exercise, caffeine, junk food, alcohol, cold temperatures, digital screens, and, where possible, stressful situations. What's more, if clients leave their appointment feeling lightheaded or dizzy, they should avoid driving until they feel better.
Loose-fitting clothing, like basketball shorts, or scrubs, are ideal for acupuncture. If you're coming from work, or an event, where your attire may not feel appropriate for acupuncture, consider bringing a change of clothing.
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.
The intense heat from Sauna and bath is considered an extra stimulation that may undo the energy reset.
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.
If you were in the acupuncture clinic for acute pain or sports injury, you may notice the pain relief almost instantly from the first treatment. For chronic pain, it may take up to 2 or 3 sessions to notice the pain subside.
Common side effects include soreness and minor bleeding or bruising where the needles were inserted. Single-use, disposable needles are now the practice standard, so the risk of infection is minimal. Not everyone is a good candidate for acupuncture.
During your first session
I will take a full medical history from you. We will discuss all aspects of your current health and any issues that you have had in the past. I will check your pulses (on your wrist) and look at your tongue. I may ask if I can palpate (feel) an area relevant to your issue (eg.
For the most comfortable acupuncture therapy session, it's best to wear loose clothing. You should be able to roll or roll-up pants to above your knees or wear a shirt that folds over your elbows. Since you will most likely be barefoot, it is also helpful to wear shoes that are easy to remove.
Hence, acupuncture may require numerous sessions for you to see results. Usually, one can notice acupuncture's effects in around 3-4 days. However, this process is different for each person; therefore, the number of sessions and time required to see results can differ.
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.
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.
Some report changes in bowel movements. This is all very normal as acupuncture can stimulate metabolism, help eliminate toxins, and bring the body back to a state of equilibrium.
Following an acupuncture session, some people find that the symptoms of their condition, or illness, temporarily worsen, or 'flare-up'. Some people also experience sweating, dizziness, and feel faint. These effects are usually short-lasting, and pass within a few hours.
In the moment, it may feel overwhelming or it may feel soothing. Crying or tearing up is the most common and it can happen during or after acupuncture treatment. It is more common when a person is working through an emotional upheaval or a stressful life event. After an emotional release, most people feel better.
Feeling emotionally sensitive days after an acupuncture appointment is entirely normal and signifies that treatment is working. In acupuncture, physical and emotional health are interrelated. Therefore, emotional shifts are a sign of physical healing to come.
Avoid Strenuous Exercise
If you perform intense exercises or heavy lifting, you may undo some of the benefits of treatment. If you're an active person, you can still participate in some light exercise. Just try going for a walk or light run instead of lifting weights and going all-out.
On the right wrist, they are feeling for the pulse relating to Kidney yang, spleen and lung. On the left wrist, they are feeling for the pulse relating to the kidney yin, the liver and the heart. For each position there are three depths to feel for which all have their own indication.
Don't arrive on an empty stomach
If you undergo acupuncture treatment on an empty stomach, it may cause you to feel lightheaded, depleted, or dizzy. To prevent such uncomfortable sensations and fully maximize the treatment's potential, you should eat a meal a couple of hours before your appointment.
Medical experts, including the NIH, CDC and WHO, agree that the skin must be clean before any type of needle insertion is performed.