What To Expect When You See An Acupuncturist For Your First Treatment

30 Apr What To Expect When You See An Acupuncturist For Your First Treatment

As a central component of traditional Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture is a treatment to relieve pain and increase a person’s overall wellness. At its basic core, acupuncture involves inserting needles at strategic points in your body. When an acupuncturist inserts these thin needles at these specific points, the needles stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissues to relieve pain or stress. If this description sounds a little nervewracking, take a deep breath and read through this guide to discover what happens during a typical acupuncture treatment.

Initial Evaluation

Before your licensed acupuncturist starts placing any needles in you, the two of you will first sit down for a consultation. This discussion is meant to help build an effective treatment plan that is individualized for your unique needs. The acupuncture specialist will likely ask you questions about your medical history, your pain or stress symptoms, and your lifestyle.

Your specialist will perform a basic medical examination as well. They will typically take your pulse to evaluate its strength, rhythm, and quality. They will also look at any parts of your body that are in pain, the coating and color of your tongue, and the color of your face. All of this helps your specialist to know your body better and determine what treatment plan you need.

During The Procedure

The first evaluation and treatment will usually take about an hour, but subsequent appointments for just an acupuncture session only take about half an hour. The number of treatments you need will depend on your exact condition, but it is common to receive between six and eight treatments. Your specialist will typically let you know if you need to wear loose clothing or remove clothes during the appointment for them to access the acupuncture points.

For the treatment, you will lie on a padded massage table. The acupuncturist will then start inserting needles at strategic points on your body. These needles are extremely fine, measuring only about the thickness of two human hairs in diameter. They typically use between five and 20 needles in a treatment.

You may feel a mild aching sensation during the insertion, but many patients also feel a warm, tingling sensation that is pleasurable and relaxing. After inserting the needles, your acupuncturist may gently move or twirl the needles or apply heat to them. The needles typically remain in place for 10 to 20 minutes. During this time, many patients meditate or even fall asleep. The practitioner will then remove the needles, which usually does not cause any discomfort for the patient.

While the results of acupuncture are not the same for everyone, it is a rather effective treatment that leaves some feeling relaxed and some feeling energized. And many leave relieved of some of the pain they had when they first came in. Contact Acupuncture In Bethesda today to learn more about acupuncture treatment that’s right for you.