Thinking About Trying Acupuncture? Read This First!

How much have you learned in the past about acupuncture? When people hear about acupuncture, they picture a person getting stuck with needles in various places. A variety of treatments are used to provide health benefits. Read this article to educate yourself on acupuncture.

You should find out if your acupuncturist is NCCAOM certified before you set an appointment. This national board certifies practitioners that have completed a national exam and full program. It doesn’t say anything about whether their sessions are painful or not, but it does mention their educational level describing how many hours were spent in school and if they did any supervised internships at their school’s clinic.

Acupuncture produces different effects in different people. Some people report that they feel extremely relaxed after a session, while others notice a burst of extra energy. A common benefit reported by most patients is an overall sense of well-being and fitness. These feelings are in addition to achieving the pain relief they were seeking.

When trying to find a good acupuncturist, it is always a good idea to ask around. Acupuncture uses small needles that go painlessly into your skin. For this reason, it is important that you visit a place that is clean. Visiting a dirty acupuncture office could result in you contracting an infection or disease.

Getting an energy boost is something that acupuncture treatments can do for a person. Many clients have reported an increased level of energy for weeks after their sessions. Although in most cases the first reaction following a treatment is a calm, relaxed feeling, the increased energy levels aren’t far behind.

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.

The needles used for acupuncture do not hurt. You might think that you are going to experience pain, but this is not true. These needles are nothing like the needles used for injections or blood draws. They are so tiny, you will barely feel them being inserted into your skin.

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.

Avoid alcohol before an acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture is meant to help get the mind clear. Alcohol is an impediment to this goal of clearing away those cobwebs. If you have a hangover, reschedule the appointment.

You may think acupuncture would hurt, but you’d be wrong. You may feel uncomfortable at times, but that is it. The needles are very thin so you can’t see them well from a distance. There is likely a tiny pinch when a needle is inserted, if you think you feel something.

Consider bringing your own pillow to an acupuncture session. You want to make yourself as comfortable as possible during the hour or so that it takes to place the needles, and sometimes having a little comfort at home can help. Alternately, a comfortable throw or a favorite pair of slippers might offer you just the comfort you are looking for.

If you want to get the most out of your acupuncture sessions, take steps to improve your diet. Eat more whole foods, and do your best to eliminate processed sugar. Replace coffee with tea, and drink plenty of water. Acupuncture releases toxins, and bad foods will only bring them back.

Don’t do anything too strenuous after your acupuncture treatment. Treat a treatment like an exercise workout. You don’t want to jump into something too strenuous after you have a treatment done, so that you can experience the full benefits of the treatment. For a day or two after your treatment, make sure to take it easy.

While acupuncture is considered a very safe procedure, there can be some minor side effects following treatment. It may cause a worsening of the original symptoms in some cases. This is usually temporary. The treatment may also bring on headaches, fatigue, lightheadedness or nausea. These side effects usually disappear quickly.

Enjoy a healthy meal and some relaxation after your session. When you have acupuncture, your body gets rid of toxins. You will undo all the benefits if you follow your session with a junk food binge. Consume predominantly fruits and vegetables after your treatment concludes.

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.

If your acupuncturist has less than ten years of experience, ask for references. While you might be able to find a practitioner who is newer to the field and still very good, you want to make sure to proceed with caution in such a case. An inexperienced practitioner might not know how to treat you properly, and this could put your health in danger.

If you don’t know anyone who has seen an acupuncturist, check online reviews for practitioners in your area. Also contact the Better Business Bureau and any nearby Chamber of Commerce. They will provide you with any complaints which may have been filed against the practitioners you are considering, so take note.

One option you have when it comes to hiring an acupuncturist is to choose a chiropractor. Depending on where you live, they will have one to one hundred and fifty hours of training, but it isn’t specifically mandated. They take a test which is administered by the local Chiropractic board. They usually only provide this service in conjunction with chiropractic adjustments.

You should now feel better since you know what’s involved when going to your acupuncture appointment. Be cautious and continue doing your research, but now you know how acupuncture can be a great benefit. This will ensure that you have the best experience possible.