What do you picture when you hear the word “acupuncture?” Is it an image of torturous needles jammed all over someone’s body? Does it cause you to tense up because you are afraid it is painful? You are in for a treat, as the opposite is the case. Acupuncture is used to treat pain and doesn’t cause it. Keep reading to learn the truth about acupuncture and how it could possibly be used to treat your pain.
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.
Falling asleep during an acupuncture treatment is not uncommon. You should not feel like the treatment was wasted because you feel asleep. Going to sleep during a treatment is actually a sign that you are able to fully relax and experience a sensation known as Qi. You will probably notice that your pain or stress is gone when you wake up.
Check with your insurance company before you schedule a series of visits to an acupuncture clinic. There could be specific programs or treatments that they cover and some that they might not. Prior to treatment, check out insurance issues with both your insurance company and the acupuncturist.
When you have an acupuncture appointment, eat only a light meal beforehand. Smaller meals are good for preventing nausea or lightheadedness, but full meals should be avoided. Many people can’t lie flat and comfortably following a full meal.
You may not be able to take certain supplements or vitamins in conjunction with acupuncture. Seek medical advice or instructions from the acupuncturist as to what they recommend you cease taking before the first appointment takes place. Eliminate any medicines that could cause your treatment to be less effective.
Do not be intimidated by needles! That being said, many will be intimidated. It is common to feel this way; however, acupuncture has been around for centuries. Millions have had this procedure done and are better off for it. Grab your fear, toss it aside and make the appointment. You will be happy that you did.
You might be busy, but following an acupuncture appointment, you need resting time. You will benefit from acupuncture treatments when you are able to rest properly. Try to get a good night’s rest of 8 hours after going to a session.
Ask your acupuncture therapist about their sterilization process if you have concerns. Reputable, professional acupuncture therapists will always use needles that have been sterilized completely before use and discarded when finished. If you are told that needles are being used on multiple clients, find a different provider who is more professional.
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.
When you schedule your session, mention any vitamins or supplements you’ve been taking. Your acupuncturist may want you to temporarily cease taking some of them. While providing your body with extra nutrients is always a good thing, some of the supplements may cause mild side effects when taken on the day of an acupuncture session.
Even if you are a skeptic when it comes to acupuncture, do your best to keep an open mind. Scientific studies are ongoing regarding the effectiveness of such treatments, and there is new information being discovered all the time. Keep up to date on current research, discuss your findings with your doctor and consider acupuncture treatments for your health conditions. This just might help you to find the relief you have been looking for.
Some patients experience a runny nose or slight flu like symptoms following an acupuncture treatment. In Chinese medicine, it is believed that colds and flus are at the root of many ailments within the body. These symptoms are just the body’s way of releasing toxins, and they typically do not last for long. Do your best to keep yourself comfortable during this time, and you will soon return to optimum health.
Get a full consultation before accepting any treatment. Acupuncture is all about full body well-being, and there are many techniques that differ based off of the issues at hand. A professional practitioner will never give a treatment without first having a serious consultation in regard to your current health and overall mood. It’ll change how they go about treating you.
Herbal treatments could be suggested to you by your acupuncturist before treatment. Be careful, though; if you currently take medication, you never know how the two things could interact with one another. Talk to your primary care physician before taking any herbal substances to avoid any problems you could encounter.
Ask your acupuncturist for a fee schedule and anticipated number of sessions up front. They should be able to provide this. It is likely you will need more than one session to find relief, and you should be able to get some indication of what that will cost you. Avoid any practitioner who will not disclose fees, as this can put you into a financially stressful situation.
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.
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