Professional Advice On Getting The Most From Acupuncture
Has a doctor or a friend recommended acupuncture to you for treatment? Would you like to find out more about it? Perhaps you have heard about it and would just like more information about its many benefits. Keep reading to find out just how acupuncture can help change your life.
Think ahead before you schedule your next acupuncture appointment. Its best that you don’t have a session right before or right after you do something strenuous. If you usually workout on Wednesdays, make your appointment on a Thursday. If you’re expecting to have a stressful couple of days, schedule your appointment for the following week. Acupuncture works best when you’re truly able to relax.
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.
Ask any potential acupuncturist how many years they have been in business. As with most other professions, experience counts for a lot. You also want to find out where they received their education. There is often a big difference in quality if the person trained in the United States versus somewhere else.
Ask your acupuncturist about their education. Acupuncturists need to go to medical school for four years before completing an internship. The internship should last at least eighteen months. If your acupuncturist cannot prove they have this kind of educational background, you should find another specialized doctor who can treat you.
There are few negative aspects to acupuncture as an alternative therapy, but one important one is that there are no guarantees the treatment will be effective. While it is rare, but soreness and bruising may occur, and it is also possible to get an infection if sterile procedures are not carefully followed.
Ask your acupuncturist how many years of experience they have. It is important to choose a doctor who has been practicing for at least five years to make sure they know what they are doing. Look for reviews on the Internet and ask your acupuncturist for a few references if you want to learn more about their methods.
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.
Even though acupuncture is usually painless, you don’t know how you will react until your first treatment. Some report minor pain, but others say they don’t feel anything at all. Everyone differs in their approach and opinion, so you need to see for yourself. Speak with your acupuncturist if you think you are having too much pain.
Ask your acupuncture therapist about their sterilization process if you have concerns. Reputable, professional acupuncture therapists will always use needles that have been sterilized completely before use and discarded when finished. If you are told that needles are being used on multiple clients, find a different provider who is more professional.
Some acupuncture professionals will use scraping tools, wood to bring warmth to an area or special magnifying glasses to enhance a session. While these are all normal tools of the trade, they are not ones that we are familiar with in Western medicine. If you are not comfortable with them, declining their use is perfectly fine.
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.
Do not be surprised if you are a bit lightheaded our dizzy after having acupuncture done. During your session, you are laying down and blood may rush to your head. When you get up, this may cause you to feel dizzy or light headed. Get up slowly and try to sit up for a few minutes before standing.
When you’re looking for an acupuncturist, make sure they’re NCCAOM certified. To get NCCAOM certification, a practitioner must receive a significant amount of training and pass a national exam. When you’re letting someone stick needles into your body, you want to be sure that they’re an expert on what they’re doing.
When selecting an acupuncturist, make sure you inquire as to the specialization of potential practitioners. Some are going to be focused on pain management, while others may instead deal with serious illnesses such as cancer or diabetes. Find a practitioner that specializes in your particular needs, then they are more apt to be the ideal choice for you.
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.
Don’t let it surprise you if the acupuncturist asks for you to stick your tongue out. The pulse in your tongue can determine how your body energy, or qi, is flowing. He will make note of your stress and heart rate levels. This data is collected together so that they can make a treatment plan.
When you have a chronic condition, an acupuncturist will recommend daily treatments for a month to see good results. Sadly, most of us can’t afford to see them that frequently, so two or three sessions a week will be the maximum. In that case, results will still appear, but it will take longer.
Now that you know more about acupuncture, you can now go schedule your first appointment! It’s time to put the many benefits of this wonderful procedure to good use for yourself. Remember the advice that has been given to you so that you have the best possible situation when you schedule your appointment.
