Acupuncture has been around for centuries, although many still view it as an “alternative” treatment for pain. If you’ve tried every conventional method of pain relief, yet are still hurting, you may want to consider this ancient art of healing. Millions of people can not be wrong, and you’ve got nothing to lose in trying to find relief with it.
Never allow an acupuncturist to use the needles he or she uses on other patients. Make sure you see the needles removed from a sealed package. This is very unsafe and can lead to a dangerous health hazard.
If you are nervous about acupuncture, and you are not sure if it is right for you, do not be afraid to ask questions. Believe it or not, one of the most common inquiries is whether or not the acupuncturist practices a painless style of treatment. Your fears may be eased when you hear some of the answers.
After an acupuncture treatment, you may feel tremendous energy. Often clients say that this increased energy level lasts for several weeks following therapy. It is amazing, though, that the energy is actually very relaxing.
If you go abroad, avoid going to see an acupuncturist. Acupuncture is very popular in most Asian countries but keep in mind that the acupuncturist do not have the same education as the doctors who treated you in the past. These doctors might not have high hygiene standards or not practice painless acupuncture.
If you are skeptical about acupuncture, don’t move forward with it until you’ve alleviated whatever is holding you back. Acupuncture is not an area that everyone is immediately comfortable with. It involves needles for one, and the mindset is quite different than Westerners are used to. Learn all that you can prior, and make a conscious decision once you’re confident in it.
It is always best to ask a few questions to the acupuncturists you are interested in before scheduling an appointment. You need to ask if the acupuncturist is certified by the NCCAOM. The only way to get this certification is to earn a medical degree and do an acupuncture internship.
Before you select a local acupuncturist, do some research. Just like anyone else who does medicine, there are great acupuncturists as well as ones that do poorly. Check with your local Better Business Bureau and do some online research before choosing an acupuncturist. Your diligence will pay off in the long run.
Do you need your daily caffeine fix? If you have an acupuncture session scheduled, you may want to hold off on the coffee for a little while. Because coffee is a stimulant, it will raise sympathetic nerve activity. Acupuncture strives to do the opposite. You don’t want to work against yourself!
Ask if your acupuncturist accepts your insurance. Many insurances now pay for alternative medicine. If they accept your insurance, you may save tons of money with your ongoing treatment. If you have to foot the bill for all your sessions, it could get rather pricey.
Contact your insurance provider before seeking acupuncture treatments. Some plans will cover most or all of the cost of this treatment, but you might need a referral from your general practitioner first. Take the time to make a call to your insurance company first so you are not left with surprise bills after treatment is received.
Have a basic understanding of what acupuncture treatment looks like before taking part of it. Typically, you will undergo approximately twenty sessions before really seeing results. If you cannot commit to the entire treatment series, you might be wasting your time, as no benefits will be seen. Make sure that this time commitment will work for you before signing on.
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.
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.
Schedule your acupuncture treatments carefully. You should not get an acupuncture treatment between two other obligations or after a strenuous activity. Take a few hours to relax before your appointment and make sure you have plenty of free time afterward so you do not feel too stressed during your treatment.
If you see red dots or bruises after an acupuncture session, don’t panic! These markings aren’t typical, but they aren’t abnormal either, and they shouldn’t be taken as a sign of a problem. It’s not uncommon for people to get these after some sessions, but not others. Most markings will fade completely in a few days.
You should not expect too much from your acupuncture treatments. Acupuncture can efficiently relieve pain and stress but it will not help you improve your health. You need to make some changes to your lifestyle if you suffer from chronic pain or often feel stressed. Your acupuncturist can provide you with some useful tips on how to improve your lifestyle.
If you experience any discomfort following an acupuncture treatment, call your practitioner and ask questions. While the discomfort might be completely normal, it will put your mind at ease to get your questions answered. Putting your mind at ease will enhance your healing process and make you more inclined to return for future sessions.
Acupuncture isn’t some new fad designed to take your money and leave you in pain; it’s a tried and true method of healing and improving lives! Hopefully this article has opened your eyes to the possibilities and convinced you to give it a try. All it takes is one visit, and you should be feeling less pain!
