Written by Integrative Today | Medically Reviewed by Deborah Farley | Updated on
When someone isn’t feeling well in China, they often go to the acupuncturist for help. In North America, we sadly don’t know much about this treatment, but this article should be a good primer for you. Learn all about how this amazing ancient art can make you feel better all over.
Never let your acupuncturist use used needles. If you do not see your acupuncturist get some brand new needles out of a sealed pack, you should ask him or her where the needles came from. Any time you get acupuncture new needles need to be used in order to prevent infections and disease.
Falling asleep during an acupuncture treatment is not uncommon. You should not feel like the treatment was wasted because you feel asleep. Going to sleep during a treatment is actually a sign that you are able to fully relax and experience a sensation known as Qi. You will probably notice that your pain or stress is gone when you wake up.
You don’t have to tip your acupuncturist. An acupuncturist is like a medical professional, not like a health/beauty expert at a spa. They are health care professionals, and this is a field that is not normally tipped.
If you want to try acupuncture but have a fear of needles, you should ask if laser treatments are available. Using lasers to apply pressure on specific body points eliminates the need for needles. There is absolutely no pain and many people report it is extremely effective.
If you go abroad, avoid going to see an acupuncturist. Acupuncture is very popular in most Asian countries but keep in mind that the acupuncturist do not have the same education as the doctors who treated you in the past. These doctors might not have high hygiene standards or not practice painless acupuncture.
Remember that acupuncture effects take time to make a difference. You can’t expect you see results after a single acupuncture session. You generally have to attend several sessions before you start seeing the benefits. Make sure you stick with your scheduled sessions so that you can achieve those great results.
Be sure the acupuncturist doing the procedure on you is experienced and knows what they are doing. Though rare, one wrong move and the needle could pierce through an organ, such as your lungs. Should this occur, you could end up suffering from internal bleeding. You are less likely to have to worry about this if your acupuncturist is experienced.
Talk to your acupuncturist about their hours and determine how long you will be there for an appointment. This information can help you figure out what part of the day would be best for you to set something up. Ideally, you want to head in for a treatment when you are fairly relaxed, as you will get the best results that way.
Don’t expect to 100% understand what an acupuncturist is talking about, but do ask for explanations when you are lost. Acupuncture is an Eastern style holistic approach to medicine. It’s quite different from what Westerners are used to, and the lingo can be a lot to take in. If you’re lost, stop and ask questions.
Have a basic understanding of what acupuncture treatment looks like before taking part of it. Typically, you will undergo approximately twenty sessions before really seeing results. If you cannot commit to the entire treatment series, you might be wasting your time, as no benefits will be seen. Make sure that this time commitment will work for you before signing on.
Inquire how long your session will last. In most cases, a session runs for about 30 minutes. However, if multiple issues are being dealt with, it may take longer. You need to stay away from planning things after you have acupuncture done so you’re able to relax.
Taking good care of yourself after an acupuncture treatment is important to allow the treatment to work properly. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoid caffeine and alcohol. Acupuncture can help with releasing toxins and it is essential to flush them from your body by staying properly hydrated.
It takes a great deal of education to truly understand all of your options for health treatments today. This article has been a great start for you, but continue reading to learn more about all that is available to you. The more you educate yourself, the more sound your decisions can be.
Meet Our Expert: Deborah Farley
Founder of Acupuncture Works,LLC in Lynchburg Virginia. Deborah is licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Medicine as a Licensed Acupuncturist (L. Ac.).
She is also licensed by the State of Florida as a Doctor of Oriental Medicine (DOM). Deborah is a Diplomate of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).
She graduated from the East West College of Natural Medicine with a Master’s Degree in Oriental Medicine and a Bachelor’s Degree of Professional Health Sciences.
