This is my first acupuncture treatment. What should I expect?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an integrative medicine, meaning we take every part of you into consideration when reaching a diagnosis and creating a treatment plan. This ensures that the treatment is tailormade to the specific needs of your body. It also allows us to treat the root cause of any disharmony you may be experiencing by taking into account your physical, mental, and emotional health. We do this by performing a very thorough intake process.
Your acupuncturist will begin by asking you detailed questions about your health ranging from your physical symptoms to the quality of your sleep all the way to a description of your poop (yup, you read that right). All of these questions are designed to help us figure out what acupuncture points would be best for your treatment. This will also help to identify any contraindications you may have to certain types of treatments or needle locations (for example, there are some point locations that are prohibited for use during pregnancy). After the questions have been asked we will move on to taking your pulses and looking at your tongue.
TCM pulses are a bit different than what you are used to experiencing in your standard first aid course, although you may not notice a difference on your end. Your acupuncturist will begin by placing three fingers just below your thumb on one hand. You may then feel them pressing a little harder or a little softer, possibly lifting up one or two of their fingers, or even sliding their fingers across your skin. They will then repeat this process on your other wrist. There are around 29 different pulses that can be felt in TCM to help your acupuncturist determine what treatment you require. They involve things such as the strength, depth, length, speed, shape, width, and quality of your pulse. Your practitioner may ask you some additional questions based on what they feel.
During these times of COVID-19, as an extra precautionary measure to stop the spread of the disease, we have temporarily stopped using tongue diagnosis in the clinic. In non-COVID times your acupuncturist would look at your tongue as an important diagnostic tool as there is a surprising amount of information that can be learned from the tongue alone. The types of things that we look for are the colour, shape, and size of your tongue, along with the colour and quality of your tongue coat. Fingers crossed we are allowed to get back to this soon!
It is now time for your treatment! You will be placed in a comfortable position (usually laying face up, on your back, or on your side) depending on where the acupuncturist is going to be placing your needles. You may be asked to roll up your pants or sleeves, remove your socks, or adjust your clothing to allow access to the required locations. They will then swab the points with isopropyl alcohol to disinfect the area. The needles will then be inserted and, in most cases, retained for approximately 20-30 minutes (depending on the treatment). During this time it is your job to just relax and allow the needles to do their thing! It is not unusual to fall asleep during your treatment, so don't be worried if you doze off while on the table. Your acupuncturist will periodically check in on you to make sure you are still comfortable and to recheck your pulse to ensure they are seeing the proper results.
Once your acupuncturist is happy with the changes in your pulse they will remove the needles and you are free to go about your day. Remember if you have any questions before, during, or after your treatment do not hesitate to ask. TCM is a beautiful and fascinating medicine, so even if you just want to know why you came in for a sore neck and your acupuncturist has stuck a needle in your hand don't be shy!
Your acupuncturist will begin by asking you detailed questions about your health ranging from your physical symptoms to the quality of your sleep all the way to a description of your poop (yup, you read that right). All of these questions are designed to help us figure out what acupuncture points would be best for your treatment. This will also help to identify any contraindications you may have to certain types of treatments or needle locations (for example, there are some point locations that are prohibited for use during pregnancy). After the questions have been asked we will move on to taking your pulses and looking at your tongue.
TCM pulses are a bit different than what you are used to experiencing in your standard first aid course, although you may not notice a difference on your end. Your acupuncturist will begin by placing three fingers just below your thumb on one hand. You may then feel them pressing a little harder or a little softer, possibly lifting up one or two of their fingers, or even sliding their fingers across your skin. They will then repeat this process on your other wrist. There are around 29 different pulses that can be felt in TCM to help your acupuncturist determine what treatment you require. They involve things such as the strength, depth, length, speed, shape, width, and quality of your pulse. Your practitioner may ask you some additional questions based on what they feel.
During these times of COVID-19, as an extra precautionary measure to stop the spread of the disease, we have temporarily stopped using tongue diagnosis in the clinic. In non-COVID times your acupuncturist would look at your tongue as an important diagnostic tool as there is a surprising amount of information that can be learned from the tongue alone. The types of things that we look for are the colour, shape, and size of your tongue, along with the colour and quality of your tongue coat. Fingers crossed we are allowed to get back to this soon!
It is now time for your treatment! You will be placed in a comfortable position (usually laying face up, on your back, or on your side) depending on where the acupuncturist is going to be placing your needles. You may be asked to roll up your pants or sleeves, remove your socks, or adjust your clothing to allow access to the required locations. They will then swab the points with isopropyl alcohol to disinfect the area. The needles will then be inserted and, in most cases, retained for approximately 20-30 minutes (depending on the treatment). During this time it is your job to just relax and allow the needles to do their thing! It is not unusual to fall asleep during your treatment, so don't be worried if you doze off while on the table. Your acupuncturist will periodically check in on you to make sure you are still comfortable and to recheck your pulse to ensure they are seeing the proper results.
Once your acupuncturist is happy with the changes in your pulse they will remove the needles and you are free to go about your day. Remember if you have any questions before, during, or after your treatment do not hesitate to ask. TCM is a beautiful and fascinating medicine, so even if you just want to know why you came in for a sore neck and your acupuncturist has stuck a needle in your hand don't be shy!
What should I wear to my appointment?
Comfort is your number one priority! Loose clothing is the best - a lot of very important and regularly used acupuncture points are located below your knees and elbows, so sleeves and pants that can be folded up tend to work great. If we are working on an area such as your upper back you may need to partially disrobe. In these instances proper draping protocols will be followed.
Is there anything I should do (or avoid) BEFORE my acupuncture treatment?
Here are some ways in which you can prepare for your acupuncture treatment:
- Eat appropriately before your treatment. It is important not to go into your acupuncture appointment on an empty stomach as this may cause dizziness or a sudden drop in your blood sugar. However, I would also not recommend eating a really big meal right before you arrive. Being too full will be uncomfortable while you are trying to relax.
- Do not consume caffeine for at least 2 hours before your treatment. If the goal of the treatment is to relax, adding a stimulant into your system is not going to help much. It can also give your practitioner a false reading of your pulse due to an increase in your heart rate.
- Do not consume alcohol or drugs prior to treatment. This causes a dulling of your senses and will impair your ability to get the full benefit of your treatment. If you are noticeably drunk or high your acupuncturist may refuse treatment until you are no longer under the influence to ensure your safety during your acupuncture appointment.
- Wear loose clothing. As mentioned above, wearing loose and comfortable clothing will help your acupuncturist easily access the acupuncture points and will make it easier for you to relax.
I am not a huge fan of needles. Does acupuncture hurt?
There are a number of sensations you may experience during your acupuncture treatment, but pain should definitely not be one of them! Those most commonly reported include: heaviness or fullness, aching or soreness, numbness or tingling, and a full or pressure-like feeling. Most commonly these will occur at the site of the needle, although you may even feel them elsewhere in your body. These sensations are known as De Qi in TCM and are not only expected but are also a great sign your needles are working!
Acupuncture needles are very fine, nothing like the needles used to give shots or draw blood. They are placed in very specific locations on the body and even at specific depths and angles to ensure both your safety and the efficacy of your treatment. At no point should you experience pain. If this does occur, especially a sharp pain, tell your acupuncturist right away so they can readjust the needle! There are some locations that may be a little more sensitive than others - especially in the hands and feet. If your acupuncturist is going to be using a needle in one of these locations they will definitely discuss it with you beforehand (for instance the point Yongquan, or Gushing Spring, is located on the bottom of your foot ... it is a fantastic point and I will most assuredly check in with you prior to putting a needle there).
If you find the needles uncomfortable in any way please do not hesitate to discuss this with your practitioner. This is your treatment so you should feel safe, calm, and comfortable. If you have any questions or concerns speak up! I am always happy to discuss any and all aspects of your treatment. After our discussion, if needles still aren't for you we can definitely use a different modality. It is possible to receive the benefits of TCM without the use of needles.
Acupuncture needles are very fine, nothing like the needles used to give shots or draw blood. They are placed in very specific locations on the body and even at specific depths and angles to ensure both your safety and the efficacy of your treatment. At no point should you experience pain. If this does occur, especially a sharp pain, tell your acupuncturist right away so they can readjust the needle! There are some locations that may be a little more sensitive than others - especially in the hands and feet. If your acupuncturist is going to be using a needle in one of these locations they will definitely discuss it with you beforehand (for instance the point Yongquan, or Gushing Spring, is located on the bottom of your foot ... it is a fantastic point and I will most assuredly check in with you prior to putting a needle there).
If you find the needles uncomfortable in any way please do not hesitate to discuss this with your practitioner. This is your treatment so you should feel safe, calm, and comfortable. If you have any questions or concerns speak up! I am always happy to discuss any and all aspects of your treatment. After our discussion, if needles still aren't for you we can definitely use a different modality. It is possible to receive the benefits of TCM without the use of needles.
How will I feel after my appointment?
Everyone reacts to acupuncture a bit differently. You may finish your treatment with renewed vigor and energy, ready to take on the world, or you may feel relaxed, peaceful and calm. This often depends on both the patient themselves and the treatment they experienced.
Is there anything I should do (or avoid) AFTER my acupuncture treatment?
Here are a few tips to follow after your acupuncture treatment:
- Relax, don't push yourself. Even if you bound off the table full of energy it is important to take it easy to allow the full benefit of your treatment to settle in and to prolong the positive effects. This does not mean you need to go home and go right to sleep (unless you really want to), it is more about you not exerting yourself mentally or physically.
- Drink lots of water. It is important to stay hydrated after your treatment to help flush the toxins out of your body. This can be especially true after a cupping or gua sha treatment. It is also best to avoid caffeine and alcohol as they can cause dehydration and counteract the benefits of your acupuncture treatment.
- Eat nourishing foods. To help your body heal, and remove any toxins, it is important to eat healthy, natural foods after your treatment. Avoid fast food and junk food to help ensure your body has the resources it needs to aid in the healing process.
- Light exercise such as walking or swimming. Light exercise after treatment can be very helpful in preventing your body from tensing up or becoming sore. Exercise is great at moving your qi and preventing it from become stagnated. However, this does not mean that you should immediately rush out to the gym or run up Mt. Finlayson after your treatment. Save those fun activities for a different day.
- Avoid screen time or watching TV. Screen time is overstimulating to our senses and will counteract the calming effects of acupuncture.
- Follow your post-cupping/gua sha care instructions. After cupping or gua sha the skin can become more sensitive and fragile. It is important to keep the treated area covered and warm. It is also not recommended to shower, bathe, sauna, or hot tub for 4-6 hours after treatment as this can irritate the area and cause inflammation or skin damage.
Are there any negative side effects that I may experience after acupuncture?
The majority of people do not experience any side effects after an acupuncture treatment. However, depending on the patient's general health and the acupuncture points used, the following minor side effects may be experienced:
- Decreased energy/fatigue. In some cases a patient may feel a decrease in their energy levels after treatment, especially if they came in on an empty stomach. In these cases it is important to relax for the rest of the day, drink lots of water, and go to bed at a reasonable time. You will most likely wake up feeling rejuvenated the next morning.
- Soreness at the site of needle insertion. This is rare, but can be experienced in especially sensitive areas such as the hands and the feet. It can also occur if needles were used to release trigger points in tight muscles. If you experience soreness right away after your treatment let your acupuncturist know. It is important to keep the area moving and to stay hydrated. It can also be beneficial to apply warmth to the sore area. The soreness will usually dissipate within 24 hours.
- Bruising at the site of insertion. In general, bruising after acupuncture is not a cause for concern. The bruises caused by acupuncture are usually more of an aesthetic issue, they are relatively uncommon and are rarely painful. It is interesting to note that some patients are more prone to bruising while others can go their whole lives and never receive a single bruise from acupuncture.
- Lightheadedness during or after treatment. Another rare occurrence, the likelihood you may become lightheaded is increased if you haven't eaten, are dehydrated, or if you experience an emotional or physical release during treatment. If you experience lightheadedness during your treatment let your acupuncturist know right away so they can take out your needles and help you resolve your symptoms. It is important to get up slowly from the acupuncture table after your treatment. If you feel lightheaded upon standing it is wise to sit back down and take some slow deep breaths. You should inform your acupuncturist right away and refrain from driving until you feel the lightheadedness subside.
I have so many questions! Who should I talk to?
Talk to me! I would love to answer any questions you may have so please don't hesitate to reach out. Chatting about acupuncture is one of my favorite things to do!