The Chinese techniques of acupuncture have been around for centuries. However, its countless uses and benefits remain a mystery to many of us. In this article, you will find tips and advice that will help to familiarize you with acupuncture, and whether it may be something you wish to try.
You should not let acupuncture scare you. A lot of people are reluctant about using acupuncture because they do not like needles. Keep in mind that the needles are very thin and you will not feel them. You will only feel their relaxing effects on your nerve endings as your acupuncturist performs a treatment.
There is a lot more to acupuncture than the treatments involving needles. This medicinal practice is associated with a philosophy. You should learn more about the philosophy of acupuncture to adopt a healthier lifestyle. There are plenty of meditation exercises, home remedies and other practices you can use to introduce acupuncture in the different aspects of your life.
Prior to getting worked on, stop and talk to your doctor. This will help calm your nerves and build the type of rapport you can appreciate with your caretaker. If you've got a serious case of the nerves, express it to your doctor. He or she can help put your mind to rest.
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.
Be sure to eat a light snack a few hours before you acupuncture session. If you do not eat, you are likely to get nauseous or dizzy. However, eating a big meal too close to your session could also cause these effects. About one hour before your session, eat a small bowl of cereal or cup of fruit.
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!
Be skeptical of any practitioner claiming to be able to cure cancer or AIDS through acupuncture. While acupuncture offers many benefits, it will not replace modern medicine for more severe illnesses. Continue the treatments with your regular doctor and supplement them with acupuncture.
Make sure that you practice good hygiene on the day of your acupuncture appointment. If you attend an appointment without properly cleansing your skin, there is a chance that you can get an infection when the needles are inserted. Shower as close to your appointment time as you can to decrease this risk.
During your first treatment, breathe and relax. This obviously is a treatment that involves needles. Your body may be tensing up in unexpected ways. Just do yourself a favor and breathe deep. Let go of your tensions, and trust in your acupuncturist to do the right things for you.
Don't look at your acupuncture session as a time to pick up a book. Yes, you are laying quietly for up to an hour, but it's your job to relax--even meditate if you want to--during the session. Your practitioner needs your help in this matter. The more relaxed you are, the better the session will be.
Know that acupuncture involves needles in many different areas, not just your back. Go in not being surprised if your acupuncturist needs to place needles in places like your hands, the abdomen, your scalp, or even around the ears. Remember, they know what they're doing, and this is a new style of treatment for you. Relax and let the benefits come.
If you exercise regularly, it might be impossible to not workout on days you have sessions. Exercising a little bit is okay, but you need to go a little easy on it. A walk around the neighborhood will suffice for the time being. The day of an acupuncture session is not the best time to try a new activity.
Try to have some food in your stomach to prevent nausea or possible dizziness. Eating a large meal is not a good idea though. You will want to feel comfortable during your session. This means eating a reasonable snack a couple of hours beforehand. When you finish, follow up with another light snack or meal when you feel comfortable eating.
All reputable acupuncture providers use new needles for each session. New needles are the only way to ensure they are completely sterile. If you even think that needles are being reused, you need to leave immediately. It is not worth the risk and you can easily find a practitioner who uses clean needles.
Ask about the likely duration of your initial visit before scheduling the appointment. It is important to stay relaxed after your treatment, and you will not stay calm if you immediately begin rushing because you are behind in your schedule. Make plans according to the length of your session.
Don't be surprised by painful looking red splotches, bumps, or bruises following an acupuncture treatment. Those splotches aren't normally as painful as they look, and they are totally normal. The same with the dots and the bruises. They are all something that you should expect. These marks will go away within a few days, just be patient.
As you can see, there is much more to acupuncture than simple pain relief. For centuries, it has proven to be beneficial to the mind, body and spirit of those who choose to give it a chance. What you have learned here should help you to make an informed decision, should you decide to try it for yourself.