With fall in full swing, many of us look once again to organizing and optimizing our lives. This makes sense in Chinese medicine, as fall is associated with the metal element. The metal element is associated with organization and making clear distinctions in our lives (yes or no; in or out; keep or toss). It’s a chance to revisit our goals and check in on our resolutions for the new year. As such, many people start thinking about how to take better care of themselves and their families.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can play a powerful role in that process. One of its unique features is that it can be used to strengthen and boost our overall health in addition to regulating the body and helping it to heal disease. So if you’re interested, but not yet familiar, with getting regular acupuncture treatments, here are some tips on what to expect and how to get the most out of your first appointment.
How often should I get acupuncture?
This is a common question and expectations can vary wildly. Some people think they’ll only need one treatment and be cured for life; people in China expect to go daily until they improve. Here, it tends to fall somewhere in between. Your acupuncturist will discuss this with you, but most people will need to come two to three times per week in the beginning. Think of it like a snowball rolling down a hill. Our job is to roll that snowball up the hill and push it down the other side. Once you reach that peak, each successive acupuncture session should show increasing benefits (e.g., milder symptoms or longer duration without symptoms). Once that happens, you can start to space your appointments further and further apart.
At this point, I generally tell my patients to start coming once a week and use their bodies and symptoms to gauge whether they need to come more often. If your symptoms come back before you do, call us up and make an appointment.
What should I wear?
If possible, try to wear loose, comfortable clothing. A good rule of thumb is to make sure you can roll your sleeves up to your elbows and your pants up to your knees. If you can’t, don’t worry; we have gowns that you can use and we’ll always make sure you’re draped appropriately and as comfortable as possible before we proceed.
Is it okay to eat before I come?
You should absolutely eat before your acupuncture appointments. We work by manipulating energy. If you don’t have much because you just ran a marathon or skipped a meal, then we won’t have much to work with. That said, try not to stuff yourself before an appointment either. Then, all of your energy will be focused on digestion and not much will be leftover for healing.
What should I do after my appointment?
Most importantly, try to rest and relax after your acupuncture appointment for maximum effect. If you are coming in for pain management, you may be tempted to return to normal activities if you are feeling better. It is better to give your body time to heal, though.
Massage before or after acupuncture is perfectly fine and can even be enhanced by acupuncture and vice-versa. Some acupuncturists even include a small amount of Chinese medical massage – called tui na – into their treatments.
What else should I know?
- We can tell a lot about digestion and fluid dynamics by looking at your tongue. Remember not to brush or scrape your tongue when you come in for your first appointment.
- Intention is key in achieving the best results. Come in knowing what you want from your body.
- Acupuncture is inherently relaxing. Be ready to allow that to happen.
If you have any questions, give us a call. We can’t wait to meet you.
