There are many medical treatments in Asia which are not common here, but are literally how health issues are treated there. Instead of going to the doctor, many Chinese will go to the acupuncturist, for example. If you want to learn more about this alternative treatment, read this article in full.
Since acupuncture is a form of alternative treatment, the cost is not likely to be covered by traditional insurance. Sometimes it only takes one treatment to get symptomatic relief, so the cost is not prohibitive. If several treatments are needed the cost of treatment may become too expensive to continue.
Acupuncture involves needles, there is no way to avoid this and it is a fear that you will need to overcome. The treatments are comfortable and administered by professionals. The needles aren’t there to inject medications or inflict pain. It may be a scary idea at first, but after your first visit, you’ll be ready for seconds.
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.
It might appear to be a painful process, but this is entirely visual. The needles that are used aren’t the ones you’re thinking of that come for your doctor’s office. If you are more than a few feet from the needles, they become nearly invisible. There may be a little discomfort, but most people find the treatments to be very relaxing.
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.
Before your appointment, confirm your acupuncturist accepts your insurance, and that your specific policy will cover this treatment. Get all of your information into the doctor well before your appointment. This will facilitate more effective treatment, since you can arrive in a relaxed state.
Do not focus on how long treatment will take, as this can keep you from focusing on the big picture, which is to get well. The acupuncturist likely cannot give you an answer to that immediately anyway, as it depends partly on what you are willing to do at home to help yourself.
Never fight an acupuncture treatment during the middle of it. You’ve made the decision to get this treatment, hopefully reading up prior to the appointment. If you start tensing up or responding poorly (both physically and verbally), you can be sure that the session won’t give you the best results.
Do some research online when searching for a reputable acupuncturist. Simply key in a search for “acupuncturist” along with your address, and review the results to find a therapist near you. You may also head to a website, such as www.NCCAOM.org. NCCAOM is the agency for licensed acupuncturists, and this agency can help you locate a good practitioner.
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.
Bring a pillow from home. Acupuncture is a very different experience than most people are used to. It’s nice to have something comforting and known with you, especially during the first few sessions. A favorite pillow (maybe your bed pillow) is a nice place to start. It’ll help you relax.
Some acupuncture patients have reported feeling worse after receiving a few acupuncture treatments. This is generally referred to as a healing crisis. Their symptoms may initially get worse, but will improve with time. If you feel worse after your sessions, discuss it with your acupuncturist. Together you can determine the best course of action.
Ask your acupuncturist if there are certain herbs you should consume in between sessions. Remember, this is a holistic practice. There are many different things to it compared to Western medicine. Herbs are a big part of it. They can help relax your body and remove any sort of pain left over from your session.
Receiving acupuncture treatments regularly will eventually help you become more aware of your body. You might feel uncomfortable and even experience pains that you never noticed before. This is a negative side effect but it is also a sign that your acupuncture treatment is working. Explore acupuncture further to correct the new problems you are noticing.
After having acupuncture treatment, try using a heat treatment. Acupuncture helps your body keep everything moving properly. If you use ice to treat aches and pains, you reduce the benefits of your treatment. Try heat instead.
It is best to wear some loose clothes to your acupuncture appointment. Loose clothing will help your acupuncturist reach all the places where he or she needs to put some pins. Besides, tight clothing could keep your blood from properly circulating and make you very uncomfortable during your acupuncture treatment.
Ask plenty of questions to your acupuncturist before and after a treatment. You can learn a lot about acupuncture if you ask your acupuncturist to describe the treatment they are about to administer and talk about the sensations you experienced after the treatment. You will be able to ask for the same treatment again if you know what your acupuncturist did.
It doesn’t matter if you have spina bifida or plantar fascitis, an acupuncturist will know exactly where to place their needles to get the best effect. With all that you’ve read here, you should have no problem seeking out the help you need. Pass on your new knowledge to benefit friends and family as well.
