How To Get The Most Out Of Your Acupuncture Appointment

Published by Dr. Marlena Siroki, DACM, L.Ac. | August 20, 2018

Here are our top tips to help you get the most out of your appointment and make sure that you are getting the full benefit from your acupuncture treatment.

 

Acupuncture is a popular therapy which can be used to treat a wide range of health conditions and improve general well-being. In addition to getting treated for your condition, your acupuncture appointment offers a chance to take time out and relax, away from the stresses of everyday life which will aid in your healing. It is also an excellent opportunity to discuss any questions you may have with your acupuncturist.

 

We LOVE questions and are passionate about discussing the hows and the whys:

Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. Your acupuncturist will be more than happy to explain your condition and treatment, and the more you understand, the more you can do to help yourself between appointments.

Tell Us About It:

During your first consultation, give as much detail as you can about your symptoms and your health in general. Because Chinese medicine views the body and mind as a whole, even minor symptoms can be significant. So tell your acupuncturist everything, even if you think it is unrelated to your main complaint. It is also important to be open and honest. If you have an embarrassing or personal issue, you can rest assured that your acupuncturist will be understanding and keep all of your information strictly confidential.

Nourish:

Eat something light before your appointment and try to stick to light meals between treatments. Avoid anything that is too heavy as this will put extra strain on your digestion and may make your treatments less effective.

You Can Do It:

During your appointments, you will be given a personalized treatment plan. This may include home care such as making dietary changes or doing more exercise. You may also be prescribed herbs to take between your acupuncture appointments. It is essential that you follow this plan as it will make your treatments more effective. However, if there is a problem sticking to the program for any reason, do not feel embarrassed to tell your acupuncturist right away. You can discuss your issues together to find an alternative way that is better for you, discuss what progress to look out for and set a new, more realistic goal. Our acupuncturist offers different sessions from 30-, 45-, and 60-minutes sessions. To get the most out of an appointment, we recommend at least 45 to 60 minutes!

Unplug:

Turn your devices off during your treatment so that you will not be distracted. This is a unique chance during the day for you to unplug, so take it! Focus on not being focused, pay attention to your breath, check where your shoulders are sitting and relax your fingers and jaw which can all hold tension.

Relax:

After your treatment, take it easy, even if you are feeling better and want to get back into the swing of things. Pain is often the first thing to go since it was the last to appear, but there are usually still underlying issues that need to be fixed once your pain disappears. Doing too much too soon can cause setbacks, so go slow and gradually ease yourself back into your normal activities.

Hydrate:

It is essential to stay hydrated, so be sure to drink enough water throughout the day. You should aim to drink 1 liter of clean water for every 50lbs of body weight per day. According to Chinese medicine theory, it is better to drink water warm or at least at room temperature. This is because drinking iced water is believed to damage your digestive organs and may even slow down your progress.

Notice How You Feel:

Set a reminder to check in with yourself three times a day to see how you feel. You can jot this down on a notepad or your smartphone and bring it to your next appointment. Discuss your progress with your acupuncturist, and we can adjust your treatment plan if necessary. Sometimes forgetting how you feel can be a good sign, but your feedback will help your acupuncturist to get a detailed picture of how well your body is functioning and help them to treat you better. This is also a chance for you to share how you feel and get anything which has been bothering you off your chest.

A Healthy Lifestyle:

You have the power to speed up your recovery, even between appointments. Eat well, exercise regularly and get enough sleep. Keeping these healthy habits allows you to be proactive and will give you a sense of achievement as well as accelerating your progress.

Take Care of Yourself:

If you are experiencing the worst pain, the worst anxiety, or a flare-up of YOUR symptom, come in for an appointment rather than staying home. You may not feel like venturing out, but it is likely that you will feel much better if you do. Pain is part of the healing process. The worst day is the best day to come.

Wellness:

Consider wellness care a part of your regular fitness routine. Sadly, in our modern world, most people wait until they get sick to come for acupuncture treatment. However, having regular appointments, even when you are well, can help to keep you from getting trapped in another bad cycle. Prevention is better than cure, and it is much easier to fix little imbalances as they come up rather than letting them become big ones.