Q. Is Acupuncture painful?
A. Upon insertion, the patient may feel a heavy or sore sensation if there is an energy blockage, but it is most often painless. The needles are extremely thin. As the acupuncturist stimulates the needle, you may feel some tingling, heaviness, distention, or electrical sensations around the needle or moving throughout the meridian. Often throughout the treatment most patients state they feel relaxed, comfortable, and can feel something moving within.
Q. What are the needles like?
A. The needles are about the width of a piece of human hair. They are stainless steel, sterilized at the factory with ethylene gas, and are a one-time use. There is absolutely no risk of infection. The site of insertion is cleaned with alcohol.
Q. How deep do the needles go?
A. The depth of the needle insertion depends on the individual age, constitution, what body parts is being selected for point location, and the issue being addressed. Most often needles are inserted from 1/4 body inch to 1 body inch in depth.
Q. Is there anything I need to do before going to my first appointment?
1. Wear loose comfortable clothing.
2. Avoid treatment when excessively fatigued, famished, emotionally upset, or shortly after sex.
3. Eat a small amount of food at least 1 hour before treatment.
4. Always tell your practitioner if you are pregnant or have a pacemaker.
5. Refrain from alcoholic beverages before and after treatment.
Q. What should I expect at my first visit?
A. You will fill out a questionaire on your health history and be interviewed. You are likely to be asked questions about your lifestyle patterns, constitution, and general physical symptoms. Tongue and Pulse will be checked. First treatments usually last 90 minutes and any treatments thereafter are about 60 minutes long.
Q. Is there anything I need to do while receiving acupuncture?
A. Once treatment has begun do not get up from the table or change positions. Try to do some deep breathing, close your eyes and relax. Falling asleep during treatment is ok. Call your practitioner if you feel faint. If you find yourself uncomfortable at any point, call your practitioner so that they can make the proper adjustments to the needles or stop the treatment.
Q. Will I need one treatment or many?
A. The amount of treatments a person needs depends on the nature, severity, and duration of the problem. For a newly acquired problem, only 1-2 treatments may be necessary. For long standing problems a series of 6-12 treatments may be required. There are exceptions. Some chronic problems have been quickly alleviated. Individual response to acupuncture varies. No two people can have the same disease in chinese medicine because we are all different. The body will be brought back into balance differently for each individual. Any pattern that has taken a long time to develop generally takes some time to heal. Your practiontoner should be able to give you short and long-term treatment plans.
Q. Why do we get sick?
A. There are many reasons why the energy does not flow and illness occurs. It usually comes from overindulgence in food, alcohol, sex, trauma, poor nutrition, and thoughts/emotions. When the needles are inserted in the right location it can unlock blockages and stimulate free flow of energy relieving symptoms of illness.
Q. What can I expect after my treatment?
A. Most often patients experience less pain or resolved symptoms. Most feel refreshed, energized, relaxed and centered, able to sleep, think, and cope better. I have often seen patients say they felt worse and then felt better the next day. It's can be similar to going through a detox. Alternative medicine is not a quick fix, masking a problem. To get to the root of the problem it takes time for the body to heal. Given the right tools, the body can heal itself.
After Your First Visit
What can Chinese medicine do for me?
It is helpful to understand that you can utilize Chinese medicine/acupuncture in one of two ways-as a band-aid/quick fix, or as a way to get to the root of a problem and heal more deeply. It’s truly okay to use it whatever way you wish, but know that Chinese medicine really shines when it is used to really heal and change the landscape of your body.
When will it start to work?
I often compare Chinese medicine to physical therapy-it’s a retraining of the body whether you are using acupuncture, herbs, or both. Some people and conditions tend to respond to acupuncture pretty quickly-some take time. Sometimes we get it right at the first appointment, and you’ll feel relief immediately. Sometimes it takes a couple of sessions to get to the core of the issue, and then we start to see progress. Sometimes, especially if the problem is chronic it can take longer.
How often should I come?
The amount of visits depends on if whether we are doing a quick fix or really getting to the root of the problem. The amount of visits and time span will vary from individual to individual, with more frequent visits at the start, then tapering down as results are achieved.
How to take care of yourself after your Acupuncture Treatment
Be good to yourself
vague advice, but it’s what most recommendations for taking care of yourself after acupuncture. 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.
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 stay up really late that night. Some people get a jolt of energy after acupuncture, but better to savor the boost- chances are you need it. Resting allows the physical and emotional restoration that acupuncture sets in motion to continue.
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 of treatment. If you normally take advanced yoga, give a beginner or intermediate class a whirl. If you’ve never hiked to the top of that mountain, acupuncture day isn’t probably the best day to try it.
Use heat
One of the most common questions I get from people who are going to acupuncture for pain relief is, “Should I use heat or ice?” Heat is the answer almost every time. From an acupuncture perspective, many pain conditions are caused by stagnation. Things are moving smoothly through the channels causing blockages that lead to pain. Acupuncture restores flow, helping to eliminate these blockages.
Turn off the TV
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. As soon as you click on the TV, it all comes flooding back-incessant advertising, screaming pundits, news flashes, noise and more noise. Keep the TV off and you will extend your state of
acu-bliss.
Eat good food
Acupuncture helps bring the toxins out. Don’t knowingly put ten back n b eating poor quality food. Avoid processed foods and sugar. 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.
Avoid alcohol and coffee
This is for two reasons:
A. Upon insertion, the patient may feel a heavy or sore sensation if there is an energy blockage, but it is most often painless. The needles are extremely thin. As the acupuncturist stimulates the needle, you may feel some tingling, heaviness, distention, or electrical sensations around the needle or moving throughout the meridian. Often throughout the treatment most patients state they feel relaxed, comfortable, and can feel something moving within.
Q. What are the needles like?
A. The needles are about the width of a piece of human hair. They are stainless steel, sterilized at the factory with ethylene gas, and are a one-time use. There is absolutely no risk of infection. The site of insertion is cleaned with alcohol.
Q. How deep do the needles go?
A. The depth of the needle insertion depends on the individual age, constitution, what body parts is being selected for point location, and the issue being addressed. Most often needles are inserted from 1/4 body inch to 1 body inch in depth.
Q. Is there anything I need to do before going to my first appointment?
1. Wear loose comfortable clothing.
2. Avoid treatment when excessively fatigued, famished, emotionally upset, or shortly after sex.
3. Eat a small amount of food at least 1 hour before treatment.
4. Always tell your practitioner if you are pregnant or have a pacemaker.
5. Refrain from alcoholic beverages before and after treatment.
Q. What should I expect at my first visit?
A. You will fill out a questionaire on your health history and be interviewed. You are likely to be asked questions about your lifestyle patterns, constitution, and general physical symptoms. Tongue and Pulse will be checked. First treatments usually last 90 minutes and any treatments thereafter are about 60 minutes long.
Q. Is there anything I need to do while receiving acupuncture?
A. Once treatment has begun do not get up from the table or change positions. Try to do some deep breathing, close your eyes and relax. Falling asleep during treatment is ok. Call your practitioner if you feel faint. If you find yourself uncomfortable at any point, call your practitioner so that they can make the proper adjustments to the needles or stop the treatment.
Q. Will I need one treatment or many?
A. The amount of treatments a person needs depends on the nature, severity, and duration of the problem. For a newly acquired problem, only 1-2 treatments may be necessary. For long standing problems a series of 6-12 treatments may be required. There are exceptions. Some chronic problems have been quickly alleviated. Individual response to acupuncture varies. No two people can have the same disease in chinese medicine because we are all different. The body will be brought back into balance differently for each individual. Any pattern that has taken a long time to develop generally takes some time to heal. Your practiontoner should be able to give you short and long-term treatment plans.
Q. Why do we get sick?
A. There are many reasons why the energy does not flow and illness occurs. It usually comes from overindulgence in food, alcohol, sex, trauma, poor nutrition, and thoughts/emotions. When the needles are inserted in the right location it can unlock blockages and stimulate free flow of energy relieving symptoms of illness.
Q. What can I expect after my treatment?
A. Most often patients experience less pain or resolved symptoms. Most feel refreshed, energized, relaxed and centered, able to sleep, think, and cope better. I have often seen patients say they felt worse and then felt better the next day. It's can be similar to going through a detox. Alternative medicine is not a quick fix, masking a problem. To get to the root of the problem it takes time for the body to heal. Given the right tools, the body can heal itself.
After Your First Visit
What can Chinese medicine do for me?
It is helpful to understand that you can utilize Chinese medicine/acupuncture in one of two ways-as a band-aid/quick fix, or as a way to get to the root of a problem and heal more deeply. It’s truly okay to use it whatever way you wish, but know that Chinese medicine really shines when it is used to really heal and change the landscape of your body.
When will it start to work?
I often compare Chinese medicine to physical therapy-it’s a retraining of the body whether you are using acupuncture, herbs, or both. Some people and conditions tend to respond to acupuncture pretty quickly-some take time. Sometimes we get it right at the first appointment, and you’ll feel relief immediately. Sometimes it takes a couple of sessions to get to the core of the issue, and then we start to see progress. Sometimes, especially if the problem is chronic it can take longer.
How often should I come?
The amount of visits depends on if whether we are doing a quick fix or really getting to the root of the problem. The amount of visits and time span will vary from individual to individual, with more frequent visits at the start, then tapering down as results are achieved.
How to take care of yourself after your Acupuncture Treatment
Be good to yourself
vague advice, but it’s what most recommendations for taking care of yourself after acupuncture. 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.
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 stay up really late that night. Some people get a jolt of energy after acupuncture, but better to savor the boost- chances are you need it. Resting allows the physical and emotional restoration that acupuncture sets in motion to continue.
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 of treatment. If you normally take advanced yoga, give a beginner or intermediate class a whirl. If you’ve never hiked to the top of that mountain, acupuncture day isn’t probably the best day to try it.
Use heat
One of the most common questions I get from people who are going to acupuncture for pain relief is, “Should I use heat or ice?” Heat is the answer almost every time. From an acupuncture perspective, many pain conditions are caused by stagnation. Things are moving smoothly through the channels causing blockages that lead to pain. Acupuncture restores flow, helping to eliminate these blockages.
Turn off the TV
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. As soon as you click on the TV, it all comes flooding back-incessant advertising, screaming pundits, news flashes, noise and more noise. Keep the TV off and you will extend your state of
acu-bliss.
Eat good food
Acupuncture helps bring the toxins out. Don’t knowingly put ten back n b eating poor quality food. Avoid processed foods and sugar. 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.
Avoid alcohol and coffee
This is for two reasons:
- It’s important to stay hydrated after acupuncture because it can cause toxins to be released into your system. Staying appropriately hydrated hoes flush out these toxins. Since alcohol and coffee both cause dehydrating effects on the body, they should be avoided after acupuncture.
- 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. You don’t have to eliminate these things from your life, but steer clear for a day or two after acupuncture.