Have any questions about acupuncture and Chinese medicine?
What does acupuncture feel like? Does acupuncture hurt?
Unlike hypodermic needles that are used when you receive vaccinations, acupuncture needles are much thinner, usually the diameter of a single hair. Many people don’t feel the needles at all. If there is any discomfort, it usually occurs when the needle is inserted – after it is in, often the needles can’t be felt at all. If a point is uncomfortable at any time, just let your acupuncturist know and it will be adjusted.
How will I feel after my acupuncture appointment?
After your appointment, you could feel more energized, relaxed, or even hungry. Many patients I have treated also report that their sleep improves after treatment! Be sure to pay attention to how your symptoms change and improve between appointments so this information can go into your treatment plan.
How many treatments will I need?
The number of visits depends on the individual and the condition(s) involved. Chronic and more long standing conditions tend to need more treatments, while acute or short term conditions tend to need less treatments.
How often do I need treatments?
Acupuncture treatments are most effective when the positive effects have time to build upon themselves. This is best accomplished with consistent treatments. You can never have acupuncture treatments too close together but you can have them too far apart.
Every patient is unique and has individual treatments needs, but in general there are three phases to treatment:
Relief Care: when the initial complaint and symptoms are addressed. If your symptoms come back between appointments to the point where we are at square one, there was too much time between appointments. We want to avoid getting stuck in a see saw of your symptoms improving, then getting worse – we don’t want this, we want your symptoms to slowly improve and improve. In order to accomplish this, I’ll need to see you twice a week for the first 1-2 weeks.
Corrective Care: when your symptoms are improving and staying at that level of improvement between appointments, once a week treatments will continue to improve symptoms, treat underlying imbalances, and prevent relapse.
Maintenance and Preventative Care: when symptoms are basically gone, you will have “tune up” treatments every 2-3 weeks or once a month to maintain optimal health and prevent future symptoms or acute episodes in cases of more chronic conditions.
It is very important for you to complete the treatment plan and continue treatment until the underlying imbalance is resolved, not just when you feel some relief from symptoms. It’s similar to when you have to take antibiotics and finish all of them, even if you’re feeling better before they are gone – we don’t want to risk the symptoms and imbalances coming back, so it is important to get consistent acupuncture treatments!