Acupuncture is often stigmatized as a painful experience that does very little for actually helping the people that undergo it. Rather than operating under these myths, learn more about the experience and the ways it can help! The tips in this article are a great place to start, especially if you aren’t sure if it’s right for you.
It is important to let your acupuncturist know about the vitamins or medications you are taking before the beginning of your treatment. Some pills can affect your system and counteract the effects of an acupuncture session. You might have to stop taking your medication or vitamins for a while if you want to get good results from acupuncture.
When it comes to eating after having acupuncture done, make sure you eat healthy food. Eating a lot of unhealthy food after your session is just putting back the toxins that the acupuncture released. Try sticking with healthy and fresh vegetables, fruits, meats and other foods that are nourishing and good for you.
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.
Keep an open mind. Regardless of what you thought about acupuncture in the past, remember that a large number of patients often report feeling better the day they receive their treatment. Go in to your appointment and maintain an optimistic outlook. You will feel better about everything that is going on if you do.
Do not expect to leave your first appointment feeling one-hundred percent better. Like many treatments, it will take a few visits before you reach full levels of restoration. Be patient and give the treatment a chance before you call it quits. You will be happy you gave it enough time.
The clothes you wear to the acupuncturist should be flowing and free. Make it easy for your acupuncturist to reach any place on your body that he needs to work on. Also, there are some acupuncturists that do treatments in groups, so if that’s the case, you really want to wear clothes.
Have the persistence and wherewithal to stick to your acupuncture plan. Friends and family may try and persuade you to stop going. The constant marketing of pharmaceuticals downplays ancient medical techniques. Do what you think is best, even if this includes channeling your individual powers of healing.
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.
If your insurance won’t cover acupuncture treatments, it could help to write letters. You can’t change the policy yourself, though. Have your co-workers write them as well. There is power in numbers. If enough people want it, the company may consider putting it in your plan.
Listen to music during your acupuncture session. Choose something that relaxes you completely, not something that well rev you up. Remember, it’s all about relaxing. Classical music is a great choice, or you could opt for a relaxing form of jazz. It’s ok if you’re relaxed to the point of near sleep. That will help your muscles respond to the treatment.
You should never go to an acupuncture appointment on an empty stomach. Have a small meal or a healthy snack two hours before your appointment. If you often feel lightheaded during or after your treatment, eat more before your appointment and bring some snacks with you so you can eat as soon as the treatment is over.
Speak to others you know who have visited an acupuncturist. Find out what kind of treatments they received and the sensations they experienced. You should be sure to ask these people how acupuncture affected them. The more information you have, the more relaxed you will be. Ask your questions while keeping an open mind.
If your insurance doesn’t cover acupuncture and you aren’t sure you can afford it, ask about community sessions. These sessions are performed in a common room with about 3 to 7 other people. Recliners are provided. Most acupuncturists charge a sliding fee for these sessions, which makes them extremely affordable.
You may feel some pain while having acupuncture done, but it should fade almost immediately. If a needle hurts and that pain doesn’t fade, tell your acupuncturist immediately. It may be that an acupuncture needle has made contact with a nerve meridian. If it is causing you pain or discomfort, it should be moved immediately.
The best way to locate a trustworthy acupuncturist is to ask friends, family and coworkers for a recommendation. It is likely that someone you know has used such a practitioner to help them feel great. Once you compile a list of options, you will be ready to do further research to narrow your list.
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.
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.
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