Acupuncture is popular today for a variety of reasons. There are many things to know if you want to improve the effectiveness of this treatment. This article will give you the advice that you need to know if you’re trying to get into acupuncture in the future.
Do your research! Before choosing an accurpuncturist, get as much information about him or her as you can. You want to make sure they have treated their past clients in a professional manner. You will also want to make sure they have the proper credentials before you make an appointment.
Prior to getting worked on, stop and talk to your doctor. This will help calm your nerves and build the type of rapport you can appreciate with your caretaker. If you’ve got a serious case of the nerves, express it to your doctor. He or she can help put your mind to rest.
The treatment should always be scheduled at a time of relaxation. Trying to undergo acupuncture directly after a stressful or taxing event will cause your treatment to be less successful than normal. The best choice is to make your appointment at a time of day where the windows before and after treatment are relatively calm. This will allow you to reap the full benefits of treatment.
Talk to your acupuncturist about their hours and determine how long you will be there for an appointment. This information can help you figure out what part of the day would be best for you to set something up. Ideally, you want to head in for a treatment when you are fairly relaxed, as you will get the best results that way.
Have a basic understanding of what acupuncture treatment looks like before taking part of it. Typically, you will undergo approximately twenty sessions before really seeing results. If you cannot commit to the entire treatment series, you might be wasting your time, as no benefits will be seen. Make sure that this time commitment will work for you before signing on.
If you suffer with frequent migraine headaches and have yet to find relief, think about visiting a local acupuncture practice. Often times migraines are caused or exacerbated by stress and physical tension building up in your back and neck muscles. The acupuncture professional you visit should be able to alleviate some of this tension, providing you with some much needed relief.
Make sure your cell phone is shut off well before your appointment begins. You want to be able to focus on your session and nothing else. Phones will only get in the way of that. While you may think putting your phone on vibrate is enough, hearing that someone’s trying to get in touch with you can still be very distracting.
Acupuncture is a good solution if you are suffering from insomnia. Weekly sessions can encourage a regular sleeping schedule and help you to relax. Fit acupuncture into your life on a regular basis. See if your practitioner can suggest some exercises to help you sleep.
As you would with many other services, schedule a consultation with any prospective acupuncturists. These generally last 10-15 minutes, but they can give you an idea of whether or not they are right for you. Ask them any questions that you have, talk about their experience and education, express any concerns, and pay attention to how they make you feel in their office. If you ever feel uncomfortable, try someone else.
If a method is unpleasant to you, let your acupuncturist know. Your practitioner has many techniques to choose from. They may heat the needles while in your body to use heat to stimulate your body. If you don’t like a procedure, speak up immediately.
Acupuncture rarely is painful in any way. The needles used in acupuncture are very thin. You can barely see them with the naked eye. Because of their small size, they often do not hit nerve endings and you will feel no pain. Even when they do hit a nerve, they are so small you barely feel it.
After an acupuncture session, it is normal for some people to feel a sensation of numbness. This typically subsides after a few hours, and sometimes self massage can help. The body is adjusting to this new form of therapy and learning to redirect energy, and that is where the numbness sometimes comes in. Do not be afraid of it unless it is long lasting, and if it is, consult with your practitioner.
If your insurance doesn’t cover acupuncture and you aren’t sure you can afford it, ask about community sessions. These sessions are performed in a common room with about 3 to 7 other people. Recliners are provided. Most acupuncturists charge a sliding fee for these sessions, which makes them extremely affordable.
Make your acupuncture sessions count. Go into them with an open mind and in a relaxed state. If you go in skeptical and tense, you’ll not be in the right place to really get maximum benefit. In fact, you may leave your initial sessions upset that you aren’t seeing immediate results. Relax, get in the right mood, and be patient.
While you shouldn’t choose the cheapest acupuncturist available, you also shouldn’t believe that the most expensive will be the best option either. Rates range from $60 per hour all the way to $120 and above, so look for options in the middle and then trust your instinct and your research.
It is wise to schedule an acupuncture treatment on a day that does not include rushing, or heavy physical activity. Physical strain is known to weaken the body, so it is important that you will be able to have plenty of time to relax and rest both before and after your appointment.
