Preparing for Your First Acupuncture Meeting
So, you’ve decided to try acupuncture. Once upon a time, you were the little kid who squeezed your parent’s hand every time you got a shot. How things have changed! Even though acupuncture is a completely painless procedure, you likely still have questions burning inside you about what to expect from your first meeting. The miracle of acupuncture is that it is nothing like what you would expect.
The first thing you’ll notice is it feels like a doctor’s office, not something New Age-y. Acupuncturists are trained medical professionals who have dedicated their lives to your comfort. It’s much closer to medication than meditation. Treat your appointment like you would a doctor’s visit. Be prepared to fill out paperwork and don’t go in on an empty stomach.
The second thing you’ll notice is how much time is spent discussing your pain beforehand. That is because your acupuncturist is going to want to get a strong understanding of why you are there. Be as honest as you would with any medical professional. You might be asked to show your tongue, have your pulse taken, and have your abdomen pressed. You and your acupuncturist will have agreed on a plan of attack long before any needles are placed in your skin.
Afterwards, your treatment will begin. Yes, there will be needles. No, they will not hurt. That is because they are finer than a hair and coated in silicone for painless entry. Then you will lie there for twenty to thirty minutes, which many patients find to be a centering experience. And when you leave, you might notice a change immediately. Some patients feel very relaxed, others very alert. As long as you are not feeling any unusual pain, these symptoms are a perfectly normal expression of your nervous system taking you back on the track to wellness.
Source Link: https://www.teenvogue.com/story/acupuncture-everything-you-need-to-know, https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/22/first-acupuncture_n_1368067.html, http://www.navacenter.com/community/article-library/browse/2016/11/21/9-things-you-should-know-before-your-first-acupuncture-therapy, https://thethirty.byrdie.com/acupuncture-emotional-benefits