10 Things To Know Before Your First Acupuncture Treatment
Never had acupuncture before? No problem! Here are 10 pieces of helpful information that will prepare you for your first acupuncture treatment. While some aspects of the procedure will be different depending on the provider, the information below will help you go into your first session prepared and informed.
Wear loose clothing. This gives your provider greater access to points that are indicated for your problem. The most commonly used points tend to be on the extremities, so a good rule of thumb is to give them elbows down, knees down. Examples of good attire are shorts and a t-shirt or loose gym pants and a tank top.
The first appointment is the longest. During your first session, the interview time will be longer because your provider will need to discuss your health history with you. They will ask questions about various body systems to assess your general health and your primary concern for initiating treatment. This first session will likely last for about 1 ½ hours, including interview and treatment time. Subsequent appointments will not require such a lengthy interview and tend to be 1 hour in length. Be aware – they will ask you questions about your bowel movements.
Bring prescription information and test results. During this first appointment, your provider will need to document your current medications as well as the dose and frequency. The easiest thing to do is simply bring your medications with you as the prescription label will include the necessary information. If you have any recent test results or imaging reports, bring those along too – especially if they pertain to your primary concern.
Pulse and Tongue. Before the treatment begins, the provider will feel your pulse and look at your tongue. Palpating the wrist pulse is a complex art that requires years of practice and study. We are assessing various indicators of the quality of the vessel by feeling its edges, strength, depth, width, elasticity, and the heart rate. We will also ask you to stick out your tongue for a close inspection where we observe the shape, color, coating, and vasculature. I know it seems weird, but do not brush or scrape your tongue before your appointments. This allows us to collect more accurate information.
Palpation and orthopedic tests. Palpation, which involves using the hands to assess the body, is an important tool that will always be used by your acupuncturist in both evaluating the problem and in locating acupoints. Depending on what your primary concern is, your provider may also want to do a few orthopedic tests to further assess the problem. For example, if you're seeking help for shoulder pain, the provider may want to do the Neer's, Speed's, or empty can tests.
Find a comfortable position. After all the questions and assessments, you are ready to get comfortable on the treatment table. Your provider will give you instructions either to lie face up or face down depending on which set of points they will need to access. In some cases, you may be asked to lie on your side or remain seated in a chair. Pillows and bolsters will likely be used to accommodate both your comfort and the provider's access to acupoints. At this time, your provider may ask you to partially disrobe, such as removing your shirt and lying face down to access your back. You will be laying still for a good 30 minutes, so be sure to speak up if you need to adjust your position because once the needles are in, it is important that you do not move! Also, you two just spent quite a while chatting. If you need to use the restroom, do so before getting on the table for treatment.
Inserting the needles. Acupuncture needles are tiny, single use, stainless steel pins that are inserted into the skin at specific anatomical sites. You may feel a tiny poke as the needle breaches the skin and then you probably won't feel anything at all. Some points tend to elicit a heavy or achy sensation – this is normal. Tell your provider if a point feels painful or uncomfortable as the needle can easily be readjusted or removed. It is important to know that the most common adverse event associated with acupuncture is a small bruise at an insertion site, though even this is relatively rare. When all needles have been applied, the provider may stay in the room with you or leave you to rest for about 30 minutes.
The Acunap. Acupuncture treatments are a very relaxing experience. Modern scientific data shows that acupuncture activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which brings us down out of the stressed and anxious “fight-or-flight” mode and into the calm meditative place of “rest-and-digest.” This calming regulation of the nervous system allows our body to focus on activating the biochemical reactions of healing while the selected acupoints guide these efforts toward the area of primary concern. Feel free to fall asleep during this time. Trust me, acunaps are the best!
Pulling the needles. Following the retention of the needles during your acunap, the provider will return to the room and remove them. They will often press each point with a cotton ball after the needle has been removed, especially any points on the face. It is not uncommon for a tiny dot of blood to surface when the needle is pulled and pressing with a cotton ball prevents the possibility of bruising. Once you are needle free, the provider may perform additional therapies, such as cupping, scraping, or medical massage before sending you on your way.
Go about your day! Take your time getting up from the table. After the first acupuncture treatment some people feel slightly lightheaded, but it passes in a minute or two as your blood pressure starts coming back up. Once you are up and about, you will feel an interesting combination of relaxation and mental clarity. You are now free to enjoy the day!