Important Information Regarding Acupuncture That You Should Know

The Chinese techniques of acupuncture have been around for centuries. However, its countless uses and benefits remain a mystery to many of us. In this article, you will find tips and advice that will help to familiarize you with acupuncture, and whether it may be something you wish to try.

Before an acupuncture appointment, do not eat a heavy meal. You will be lying down on your stomach most of the time during your session. This may cause you stomach discomfort if your belly is full. Instead, eat a light, easily digestible meal, or just nibble on a few snacks.

Do not overeat prior to your appointment with an acupuncturist. You should also avoid going to the appointment without any food in your stomach. Being too hungry could cause you to feel dizzy or even nauseous. A light meal or snack is all that you need to have an enjoyable experience.

Keep in mind that the benefits of acupuncture might not be found after one session. Sometimes, it takes time for your body to learn to utilize energy properly and the pressure points used in acupuncture to work correctly. This might mean that you have to undergo several sessions before seeing the results you are hoping for.

Be careful about what you eat or drink before an acupuncture session. If you consume something that stains your tongue, such as a piece of candy or colored drink, it’ll be difficult for your acupuncturist to get an accurate reading from your tongue. If you slip up and have something you shouldn’t have, be sure to let them know.

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.

Don’t carry your cell phone or other electronic devices to your acupuncture treatment. This is too distracting. Bringing your devices into the acupuncture session is too much of a temptation. The muscle tension produced by answering or ignoring these devices can make your appointment uncomfortable. Keep the electronics out of sight to keep them out of mind.

You may love to have a glass of wine with dinner, but it’s best to stay away from alcohol on the day of an acupuncture session. Alcohol is dehydrating, and even a small amount of alcohol can impair your senses. After you’ve had acupuncture, you want your body to be hydrated and your mind to be clear.

Before going to your acupuncture session, have a light snack. Do not overeat or go in with an empty stomach. This will help prevent dizziness or feeling nauseous. You want to be relaxed and comfortable. If you are hungry or bloated, you will not be relaxed and could hinder your treatment.

You might be more sensitive than usual after an acupuncture treatment. Do not worry if you experience mood swings or seem to cry very easily. This is a sign that your acupuncture treatment is working well. These symptoms should eventually disappear as you get used to receiving acupuncture treatments regularly.

Don’t be surprised by painful looking red splotches, bumps, or bruises following an acupuncture treatment. Those splotches aren’t normally as painful as they look, and they are totally normal. The same with the dots and the bruises. They are all something that you should expect. These marks will go away within a few days, just be patient.

Make sure you request to see official credentials prior to accepting any form of acupuncture treatment. Just like in other areas of heath care, there are some less than reputable forces at work that are just looking to take your money. If the practitioner has no credentials, look to someone else for your care.

Ask about vitamins, herbal remedies or medicines you may be taking. Your acupuncturist can help you determine if any of these need to be postponed before your treatment. Sometimes you may need to avoid taking them between sessions as well. Consult first and you will know exactly how to increase the benefits.

Beware of sticker shock. Call your insurance company before getting any treatments. Not every insurance company covers acupuncture. In fact, quite a few cover no forms of alternative medicine at all. Know if that’s the case for you before you step into your sessions. You may not like the bill at the end otherwise.

In most areas, Licensed Acupuncturists have to have thousands of hours of education along with certification from the NCCAOM. On top of that, they receive a license from their local medical board to ensure they are still practicing correctly and receiving additional training as they need to in order to stay on top of their game.

When you are interviewing your potential practitioners in person, ask them how many treatments they think it will take to heal you. If you receive an answer, you should cross that acupuncturist off your list. There is no way to know how quickly you will heal, so they should tell you as much.

Before choosing an acupuncturist, ask for references. While this is an alternative treatment type, it’s also still a business. The office should be able to give you a few references to check or, at the very least, somewhere to go online to see performance reviews of the acupuncturists under their roof.

If your insurance covers acupuncture, ask up front if the practitioner works with your insurer. It can be a nasty awakening when you find out they don’t! This is something you must discover before choosing who you will make your new practitioner, not after you have been to a visit!

As you can see, there is much more to acupuncture than simple pain relief. For centuries, it has proven to be beneficial to the mind, body and spirit of those who choose to give it a chance. What you have learned here should help you to make an informed decision, should you decide to try it for yourself.