As acupuncture becomes more mainstream, there is an increase in the number of individuals looking to take advantage of its benefits. This collection of procedures involves stimulating points on the body using a variety of techniques by penetrating the skin with thin needles that are manipulated manually or through electrical stimulation.
Acupuncture has been used as part of a treatment plan for pain relief and stress relief, to assist in managing cancer treatment symptoms, to improve cognitive functioning, and even as a potential aid for weight loss. According to the traditional Asian medicine approach, stimulating acupuncture points can help correct imbalances in your Qi, which is your body’s life force or energy flow.
Still, like so many natural treatments, there are ways to prepare and thus receive better results from this mainstay of Chinese and holistic medicine.
Give Yourself Time Before and After Your Appointment
Don’t over schedule yourself on the day of your appointment. Also, avoid doing anything before or after your acupuncture that is stressful. The whole point of acupuncture is to help your body relax and heal, which will not happen if you are stressed or don’t give it a chance to work on your body.
Make sure you do not put yourself in a position where you must rush from your acupuncture to the next part of your day. That gives your body the time to recover and enjoy its benefits.
List of Current Medications and Supplements
For many acupuncturists, knowing what is involved in your treatment plan before your session is important. Before you go into your appointment, make a list of all your current medications and supplements, especially any herbal treatments you may be using.
Certain herb-drug interactions can have harmful effects. Blood-thinning medications could fall into that category, so ensure your acupuncturist is aware of what you are taking beforehand. Also, make sure you ask your acupuncturist whether there are any supplements you should avoid right after your treatment.
Eat Before Your Appointment
Most experts recommend that you not come into your acupuncture appointment on an empty stomach. It is best to eat something about 2 hours before you come in for your treatment versus right before your treatment begins. This way, your body has time to complete a part of the digestion process to avoid you being uncomfortable while your acupuncturist is doing their work.
The best meal to consume will have protein and good quality whole foods. At the same time, you shouldn’t eat a big meal because you might find yourself uncomfortable during the acupuncture experience. However, avoid barely eating anything because that will put you at risk of being lightheaded or dizzy after your acupuncture is completed.
Make sure that you don’t drink alcohol before or after your session. Also, avoid drinking stimulants before your appointment. For instance, coffee increases your body’s flight or fight response, which is the opposite of what your acupuncture session is supposed to accomplish.
Don’t Wear Anything Tight
Your acupuncturist is going to be placing needles in a variety of areas on your body, so it is important that you wear clothes that make it easy for them to put the needles in the right spots based upon what you are trying to address as part of your treatment.
To get the most out of your session, ensure that you are dressed comfortably and have loose-fitting clothes on. Tight clothing can end up causing your acupuncturist more challenges. Talk with your acupuncturist before your appointment if you have any questions about what you should wear based on the type of acupuncture you will receive.
After Your Appointment
Once you complete your acupuncture appointment, make sure that you drink plenty of water and take time to relax, allowing your body to enjoy the benefits of acupuncture. Additionally, you want to follow any instructions given by your acupuncturist after your treatment.
Clearly, there are plenty of acupuncture benefits. Still, to get the most out of your appointment, you should make sure to wear loose clothing, have a meal about 2 hours beforehand, and make sure that you have a complete list of your medications and supplements.
If you have questions about acupuncture or would like to make an appointment, please contact us at MK Integrative Wellness.
MK Integrative Wellness offers various natural and herbal medicine options that use naturopathic medicine principles, from consultations, acupuncture, customized herbal formulations, natural pain management, and more. Our team can help you to manage your health and wellness through natural medicine options proactively.