The Chinese have been using acupuncture for thousands of years to deal with any issues which appear in their lives, from stomach upset to giving birth. It is amazing that this art has lasted this long, but the fact is that it must work since it has! Read on to find out all about acupuncture.
The needles used in acupuncture are not painful, so don’t be scared. Instead of the traditional needles you think of, the pins used for acupuncture are only as wide as a human hair strand. Pain will not even be an issue.
Although needles are involved, acupuncture should not be too painful. Keep in mind that the needles are generally a lot thinner than those you encounter in your doctor’s office. Therefore, if you are nervous about getting “stuck,” you really should not be. You will feel them, but you should not experience extreme pain.
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.
Be sure your acupuncturist is licensed through your State Health Department. Licensure guarantees the technician completed a full program rather than becoming eligible by attending a weekend class. Health Departments only issue licenses to those who have had adequate training.
After an acupuncture session, remember to hydrate yourself properly. A good rule of thumb is to consume at least six glasses of water following a session. Acupuncture can cause you to release toxins from the body, and you need to drink water to flush those toxins from your system.
Make sure the acupuncturist you go to performs painless acupuncture. Painless treatments are very popular in the U.S. but pain can actually play a part in relieving your stress or treating your health problem. You should not try these treatments until you know more about acupuncture and are ready to try a more advanced treatment.
Acupuncture pins are meant to target the chi in the body. Chi refers to your life force energy. There is an energy channel in the body and anytime there is an obstruction or anything that interferes with it, it takes the form of a physical issue in the body like pain. The pins in acupuncture can help redirect or balance the chi in your body.
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.
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.
Don’t do anything too strenuous after your acupuncture treatment. Treat a treatment like an exercise workout. You don’t want to jump into something too strenuous after you have a treatment done, so that you can experience the full benefits of the treatment. For a day or two after your treatment, make sure to take it easy.
It’s fantastic to have an acupuncturist who has experience. Years of training means they have more knowledge on how to do their job well. However, you should be aware that not all countries have the same regulations. Experience in a country like China is not the same as experience in the United States.
Once your treatment is over, try to leave the television off, at least for a few hours. Part of the goal of acupuncture is to help you find balance with your mind and body. The television can throw that balance off, with its bright flashing colors and loud noises. Instead, read a book or play a game with your family members.
Eat a healthy meal after your acupuncture session. This will help to remove the free radicals from your body. By eating unhealthy foods after a session, you’re polluting your body with more toxins. Incorporate lots of vegetables and fresh fruit into your diet instead of junk.
Sometimes acupuncture can leave you feeling sore, particularly on your feet and hands. Generally, the soreness will go away in a day’s time, although you may experience some issues for up to a week later. Simply try to stay off your feet as much as possible, and allow your hands to rest as well.
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.
On the day of your appointment, do not ingest any stimulants. That includes coffee, caffeinated soda or alcohol. These products can lead to changes in your pulse and qi, throwing off your diagnosis and leaving the practitioner treating you for the wrong things. Drink plenty of water instead to stay hydrated.
If this art of healing didn’t work, it is sure that it would have been replaced over the centuries, but it hasn’t. That is proof enough that you should give it a try yourself to deal with any nagging issues you may have. Thanks to what you have learned here, you know what it takes to feel better quickly.