Acupuncture has been a traditional method of treatment and has been around for a long time. But what are its benefits, and what can you expect to get from an acupuncture session?
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a treatment that has derived from ancient Chinese medicine. It’s been around for so long that now it’s used in many medically professional capacities. It works by sticking very fine needles into certain parts of the body known as acupoints. This helps stimulate points underneath the skin to release endorphins which link to the relief that it provides for pain. It’s commonly used for those who suffer from different types of body pain, the most common being back pain.
So what should you know before having your first session of acupuncture? Acupuncture can help treat a number of problems that are linked to pain from stress to the common cold.
Eat Before You Go
Always eat before you go, don’t go on an empty stomach. Having food can help you maximize your body’s full energy performance. It doesn’t need to be a three-course meal, but maybe a high-protein bar will be suitable enough. Receiving acupuncture on an empty stomach may lead to you feeling fairly dizzy or faint, which would be normal because these needles will be going into places that will likely feel odd. You are free to ignore these rules, but you might want to consider sticking to them, especially if you’re going to have a fair number of needles stuck in your body. You want to be of sound mind to say focused on keeping still and not accidentally falling off! That’s only going to risk causing injuries.
You May Be Checked Over Beforehand
It’s very natural for the person leading the treatment to check you over beforehand. They will want to ensure that you are feeling ok to go ahead with the treatment. So they may take your blood pressure, ask you some questions to ensure you’ve done everything needed to go ahead with the session. This may feel a bit invasive and more like you’re at a doctor’s surgery, but it’s all warranted and necessary, so try to allow them to do anything they need to prepare you for your treatment.
Don’t Be Afraid Of The Needles
The thought of having needles in your body is quite a frightening thought. Anyone who’s watched the Final Destination franchise will feel a little nauseous about getting onto a table and having them put all over you. However, a twist of fate isn’t that absurd as you see on films and you’re quite safe when it comes to these needles. The needles themselves are super thin and have been sharpened to the extent that when they make contact with the skin, they are pretty much painless. Another reason perhaps as to why so many people go for it is because of not needing to have such a high pain threshold.
Don’t be afraid of the needles because they won’t even be going into the skin, they’re merely sitting on the very surface and the likelihood of you even feeling them is minimal. Acupuncturists also use other things than just needles during the session. They may use pressure (massaging of the skin) to try and alleviate some pain as well as scraping or cupping of the skin. This will all be discussed prior to your session, and the person administering the treatment should talk you through what they’re doing. At any point, if you feel uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to speak up.
You May Need More Treatments
When it comes to the number of treatments needed in acupuncture, one is almost never enough. It may provide a temporary relief to the pain, but it’s not going to get rid of it. It might be worth speaking to your local health official to see if acupuncture is a part of your insurance plan, as with many it usually is. Many acupuncturists will give you a bill to give to the insurance companies to claim for reimbursement.
Acupuncture has been around for a long time and will continue to do so because of its effectiveness in the medical field. It might not be for your type of pain specifically, but you’ll never know unless you try. Before getting acupuncture, ensure you’ve done your research, and this is something worth trying. Figure out the costs and how you’ll pay for them, as you’ll likely need multiple. Go along with an open mind, and hopefully you’ll see some results.
