There are many medical treatments in Asia which are not common here, but are literally how health issues are treated there. Instead of going to the doctor, many Chinese will go to the acupuncturist, for example. If you want to learn more about this alternative treatment, read this article in full.
Expect to feel a sensation of heaviness or lightness in different areas of your body. This is entirely normal and is caused by the stimulation of your nerves. You should focus on this sensation and relax as much as you can. You should not fight these sensations to get the most out of your treatment.
When you are looking for a qualified acupuncturist, make sure that he is certified by the NCCAOM. This organization ensures that the practitioner has completed the required coursework and internship, and that he has passed the exam. Without this certification, you cannot be sure of the practitioner’s level of training.
If you have some fear of acupuncture because you think that it is going to hurt, ask your acupuncturist about techniques in painless needling. Ask questions about where he learned that technique and how long he has been practicing it. Only go with practitioners who have had multiple years of experience.
If at first you don’t succeed with acupuncture treatments, keep trying! It’s a well known fact that it can take up to three or four visits to really feel the full impact of professional acupuncture. Giving up too soon may mean forfeiting a real chance at finding permanent relief from your aches and pains.
Be sure you are seeing an appropriately licensed acupuncturist. This ensures your acupuncturist knows what they are doing. Health Departments only issue licenses to those who have had adequate training.
Ask your acupuncturist about the style they use. Acupuncture is a very complex discipline and there are several methods acupuncturists can use to relieve pain or stress. Make sure the methods your acupuncturist uses are painless. If you are new to acupuncture, ask if you can get a very simple treatment to get used to the sensatin.
If you’re not pleased with a particular aspect of a session, tell your acupuncturist you don’t want to do it again. There are all sorts of side techniques involved with acupuncture. This may include using heated needles. Make sure that you are as comfortable as possible during your procedure.
If you are receiving an acupuncture treatment and notice that pain persists for more than two minutes after a needle is inserted, speak up. Sometimes a needle can hit a spot in the body called a nerve meridian. When this happens, the result is discomfort and pain. The practitioner might need to remove the needle and try again in a different spot.
If you are really tense about acupuncture, consider looking for a practitioner that offers “community” sessions. These are acupuncture sessions where multiple people are in a room receiving treatments. Some people find this community aspect very relaxing. Don’t worry: Any consultation is done in private before the sessions, so medical histories are not shared among the group.
Be honest with your acupuncturist. If you are experiencing pain in a certain area, they need to know about it. If you are finding the sessions frustrating because you are not seeing results, they need to know that too. If you are not honest, you will never receive the full benefits of your treatments or find the relief you are hoping for.
See how the length of time a visit takes before going to the initial appointment. You have to keep yourself relaxed when you get through with an appointment and it can be stressful if you have a bunch of things planned for later in the day. Also, learn the length of time that your treatment will take.
Ask your acupuncturist for a fee schedule and anticipated number of sessions up front. They should be able to provide this. It is likely you will need more than one session to find relief, and you should be able to get some indication of what that will cost you. Avoid any practitioner who will not disclose fees, as this can put you into a financially stressful situation.
You may feel very tired after an acupuncture session. This isn’t common, but it does happen. If you experience fatigue, there is no reason to worry. Simply do your best to rest throughout the day and head to bed an hour or so before you usually do. You should feel great when you wake up.
It doesn’t matter if you have spina bifida or plantar fascitis, an acupuncturist will know exactly where to place their needles to get the best effect. With all that you’ve read here, you should have no problem seeking out the help you need. Pass on your new knowledge to benefit friends and family as well.
