Abstract: Receiving acupuncture for the first time can be a new experience. Having some basic knowledge of what to expect and how treatments might differ from seeing another health care profession can be helpful to know. There are some common questions people ask before seeking Acupuncture and some useful tips that can be found in the article to follow.
You might be going to see the Acupuncturist for different types of reasons, whether it’s to alleviate pain, fertility support or for a chronic health condition. Whatever it is the point is that you’re about to step into your first acupuncture appointment with some of these questions in mind.
First, thing that may come to mind is “Does Acupuncture hurt?” This is a normal and quite frankly an important question to ask, especially if you’re going in to see an Acupuncturist for pain management. While a small prick at insertion is placed on the surface of the skin is a normal feeling, there are some other sensations that may be felt throughout the treatment. Some needles that you might not feel at all at insertion, however, a dull, heavy, tingling sensation is felt when the needle activates an acupuncture point. This in Traditional Chinese Medicine is call “de qi,” which is the collection of energy when needling an acupuncture point. Some acupuncturist uses a guide tube which is plastic clean tube that guides the needle into the correct acupuncture point on your body, and you’ll be able to feel that on the skin. A key tip to
Tip #1: Communicate with you Acupuncturist throughout the treatment. Your comfort comes first!
Another question that could come up is “Why would I feel some needles and not others?” Depending on where the particular acupuncture point is needled there are different nerve endings and pain receptors in your body. This is very normal, similar to how sensitive certain parts of your body compared to other parts of your body are when exposed to the sun. Some places like your arm compared to your feet are have different nerves and tissues that are more sensitive to the touch of grass or the hot cement. That may be the reason why some parts of your body feel more tender when a needle is being inserted. Hands and Feet are autonomically structured differently compared to your thighs or upper arms, with less there may be less muscle or fat in the area.
Tip #2: Ask your acupuncturist to do some breathing techniques when hands or feet are being needled.
Something that often comes up often when walking into an acupuncture treatment is “How big & how deep are the needles going in?” Acupuncture needles are different from the needles you’ve might have experience with already, a syringe or hypodermic needles, have an open gauge where medicine can travel into your veins or blood can be drawn out from the veins. Here’s the big secrete with Acupuncture needles: They are one time use stainless steel sterile needle that are solid filled, nothing is coming in or out of acupuncture needles. Most acupuncture needles are 0.25 mm or 0.30 mm thin and 1 to 2 inches long. The needling depth is depending again on where in the body you will be getting needled
Tip #3: Take a look at the needles before so you can see how tiny they are.
“What points are chosen to be needled?”
It’s important to know that the time you spend talking with your Acupuncturist at your consultation will be very beneficial for both the patient and practitioner. The information you share with the Acupuncturist will be used to give a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnosis. The acupuncturist will be able to take all your information and construct an acupuncture treatment. During that time, you’ll be able to share with your acupuncturist about your health conditions, past medical history, and treatment plan. Acupuncturist will also perform assessments, like range of motion test or palpate the affected body area when applicable. One unique thing about seeing an acupuncturist is they will take a look at your tongue and feel your pulses. Looking at the tongue surface and structure, is a diagnostic technique that is used to give a TCM diagnosis. The tongue is a microsystem that allows to identify the quality and heath of internal organs.
Tip #4: Don’t brush your tongue surface the day you see your Acupuncturist. Ask what your tongue is showing!
Acupuncture points are chosen for a treatment depends on what treatment plan the practitioner develops. “What exactly are acupuncture points?” Acupuncture points are specific points on the body that are part of a meridian system that runs all through the body. Meridians are channels that run up and down the body which are made up of acupuncture points. The meridians are pathways in which essential body fluids, blood, and energy run throughout the body. Similar to how the nerve systems is organized throughout the body these meridian runs throughout the body and acupuncture points are found by anatomical structures of the body.
In TCM, there are 14 Channel Meridians that correspond to organ systems. Each acupuncture point has a specific property when needled can support your TCM treatment plan.
Tip #5: Ask practitioner about an acupuncture point you can apply acupressure on at home.
“How long do the needles stay in?”
After all needles have been inserted, the practitioner will most likely apply heat on affected area or on the feet or abdomen to keep you warm throughout the acupuncture treatment. The needles will be left inserted for 25 to 30 minutes. During that time, it’s okay to move, most of the time the needles will pop out or move a little and can cause a slight noticeable sensation. Taking a little nap or meditating during the treatment are good ways to help pass the time.
Tip # 6: Don’t feel like you are allowed to move. Call your practitioner if you’re not comfortable. The best treatments are when you’re the most comfortable!
“What should I do post-treatment?” You will most likely be advised to drink plenty of water after receiving acupuncture. There are many reasons why staying hydrated will provide better results post treatment. Your body and mind might feel light, similar to when coming out of a massage. Water intake will help with any soreness or prevent dehydration. Most often making sure that any rigorous physical activity is not performed until 24 hours post treatment, especially is the treatment is focused on pain management.
Tip #7: Even if you feel like you have less pain or more range of motion do not overexert your body.
Traditional Chinese Medicine consists of using different modalities that work well with acupuncture and TCM treatment plan. There a couple of modalities like for example, Moxibustion, Cupping, Gua Sha (scrapping), or massage. Depending on what your TCM treatment plan is theses modalities can be useful. A common modality, like cupping and scrapping, can be helpful to relief pain or stiffness for musculoskeletal issues. Massage can help with range of motion and alleviate pain. Moxibustion is a warming technique, where mug wort or Ai Ye, is a natural herb is burned and the heat warms the body in specific acupuncture points or area of the body. Some of these modalities might be offered or suggested at some point of your treatments. Chinese herbal medicine is another form of treatment that a practitioner may offer. During your course of treatment herbal formulas will be suggested. Herbal medicine can either be internal or oral consumption or a topical to apply externally.
Tip #8: Cupping and Gua Sha can leave bruises on your body! Very normal!
The final tip that I would advise to take would be to reach out to friends or family who have tried acupuncture before. The more you know about what an acupuncture the better off you are. Knowing what others describe the sensation of what an acupuncture treatment might feel like can help ease the nervousness and close the gaps of the unknown. Keep in mind that one-time acupuncture treatment may not be sufficient to justify weather it worked or benefited the reason why someone received acupuncture. Treatment plans at the first acupuncture treatment will be given. Treatment plans depends on a few factors; chronic vs. acute, age, or condition.
Tip #9: Never leave your appointment without a treatment plan that you’ve made with your Practitioner.
Written by Jacqueline Guzman, L.Ac., Dipl. OM
Recent Comments