Are you suffering the kind of pain that is making you consider every option for relief? Need to alleviate stress and anxiety? Then you may be looking for acupuncture. This age-old form of therapy has helped millions for centuries. In this article, you will find great suggestions and advice for helping you find and enjoy a great acupuncture session.
Do your research! Before choosing an accurpuncturist, get as much information about him or her as you can. You want to make sure they have treated their past clients in a professional manner. You will also want to make sure they have the proper credentials before you make an appointment.
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.
Ask any potential acupuncturist how many years they have been in business. As with most other professions, experience counts for a lot. You also want to find out where they received their education. There is often a big difference in quality if the person trained in the United States versus somewhere else.
Increased energy is a great benefit after getting acupuncture. Often clients say that this increased energy level lasts for several weeks following therapy. Relaxation is what immediately follows acupuncture, but then the energy soon follows.
Ask your acupuncturist about their education. Acupuncturists need to go to medical school for four years before completing an internship. The internship should last at least eighteen months. If your acupuncturist cannot prove they have this kind of educational background, you should find another specialized doctor who can treat you.
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.
It is always best to ask a few questions to the acupuncturists you are interested in before scheduling an appointment. You need to ask if the acupuncturist is certified by the NCCAOM. The only way to get this certification is to earn a medical degree and do an acupuncture internship.
Determine if and how your insurance plan covers acupuncture. Some plans cover acupuncture only if you are referred by your regular practitioner for a medical condition. Other plans cover acupuncture visits as wellness visits. Find out if your health insurance covers acupuncture so you can save some cash on the procedure.
Eating before your session will help so that you are not distracted by hunger. The session is about clearing the mind so that your body can relax and repair. This is difficult to do if you are distracted by outside concerns like hunger. An easy rule of thumb is to eat about two hours before a session for the optimal benefits.
Avoid alcohol prior to treatment. Acupuncture helps clear the mind and brings us increased clarity into our beings. The use of alcohol contraindicates the benefits of acupuncture. If you are hungover on the day of your appointment, you should call to reschedule for a time when your body is free of alcohol.
Make sure your cell phone is shut off well before your appointment begins. You want to be able to focus on your session and nothing else. Phones will only get in the way of that. While you may think putting your phone on vibrate is enough, hearing that someone’s trying to get in touch with you can still be very distracting.
If you want to get the most out of your acupuncture sessions, take steps to improve your diet. Eat more whole foods, and do your best to eliminate processed sugar. Replace coffee with tea, and drink plenty of water. Acupuncture releases toxins, and bad foods will only bring them back.
Sometimes, acupuncture can make the patient feel a little worse after the initial sessions. This is called a “healing crisis”. You may experience worsening of symptoms. However, you will soon feel better. Speak to your practitioner if you experience a worsening of symptoms and make an effort to see the treatment all the way through.
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.
Children can benefit from acupuncture too. If your child suffers from ADHD, allergies or other health ailments, sometimes acupuncture can offer answers. While not a replacement for traditional medicine, it can enhance other treatments and help to keep your child comfortable. If you decide to go this route, make sure to work with a professional who is seasoned in working with young children.
Now you have a little more familiarity with acupuncture. You should find it less intimidating and more like something you want to take part in. You can never fully understand the benefits until you have gone under the needle yourself. Give it a try and you just might find yourself doing it over and over.
