Everything You Need To Know Before Your First Acupuncture Appointment

If you’re not getting any sustainable benefit from your medical doctor or other practitioner, read on. You’ve been investing a lot of time, energy and money but you’re still in pain or you still haven’t reached your goals of say having normal bowel movements or getting pregnant.

(To be clear. I’m not dissing any of these professions or modalities. But not everything is going to work for every body. And I’m a strong proponent of if it isn’t working then try something else. Or, in other words, if you keep doing what you’re doing you’ll keep getting what you’re getting.)

You’re ready to try something new.

Two or three people have suggested you try acupuncture.

Awesome! Acupuncture is one of my favorite ways to help people among eating for your unique biochemistry and Brain-Based Transformational Coaching.

I love acupuncture because it treats you as a whole, unique person in the context of your individual environment. I shared how acupuncture healed an interesting case of eczema caused by grief here.

Acupuncture is an ancient healing tool based in a more ancient philosophy called 5-Element Theory. It purports that our internal environment relates to and reflect our external environment.

Despite being thousands of years old, today it is still relevant and incredibly clinically powerful.

I also love acupuncture because it doesn’t interfere with any drugs or medications you may be on, or any other treatment modalities you may be doing.

Essentially, I use acupuncture to put the body back into healing mode after various stressors have blocked the body’s ability to repair properly. Check out the bucket analogy to get a better sense of the various types of stressors that can disrupt the body’s innate healing ability.

This is my interpretation of how acupuncture works according to the ancient wisdom.

The production value here is very high. 😉

More and more studies are coming out showing the effectiveness of acupuncture. The western science tells us that acupuncture improves blood and lymph circulation (improving nutrient delivery and waste drainage, respectively), improves nerve communication, immune function and balances the hormones. So it’s all legit now. Woo hoo!

What to expect:

After chatting about your concerns, I’ll have you change if required and lie on the treatment table. I’ll take your pulses at both wrists – a way to identify which organ systems or energy channels need support, adjusting or unblocking. A typical treatment will involve 10-20 needles.

With gentle music playing in the background, the needles stay in for about 15 minutes, during which time I leave the room to let you rest.

Some people nap. Some people meditate. Some people breath deeply.

Regardless of how you spend the time, you get into what I call the Zen Zone – a deep state of relaxation where in the most profound healing occurs.

And if you’re afraid of needles, no worries. I have several needle phobes that LOVE them some acupuncture. The needles themselves are thinner than a human hair, and I use certain techniques to minimize any discomfort. They are sterile, and go in the sharps container after they’ve been used. No funny business there.

What you may experience:

Every practitioner is different. My style is fairly gentle. This is the safety talk I give people before we get them on the table before their treatment.

Acupuncture is not painful, that being said there is a sensation associated with the needling. I typically put these sensations in two categories (titled with nonsense words I made up.)

1. “Wah Wah” (said with an accompanying gesture of two hands pulsing outwards). These responses feel heavy, dull, aching, or perhaps throbbing. This is all well, good, and normal.
2. “Zinger” (said with spirit fingers, as if playing a keyboard with both hands in opposite directions). These reactions feel like energy travelling, buzzing, or electricity. These are also all well, good, and normal.

If you don’t feel any of these sensations that is fine. It doesn’t mean it’s not working. It just means you’re not sensitized to that information. Yet. I find the more acupuncture people get, and the more unblocked they become, the more they are aware of these sensations.

I’ve witnessed all this gobbledee-gook goodness:

• • decrease stress, cure anxiety
  • lift depression
  • make babies
  • eliminate pain – even chronic and old stuff
  • improve sleep
  • heal digestion
  • cause weight loss
  • help people quit smoking, overeating, drinking alcohol, and diet pop.

What to do after your treatment:

I find my patients are pretty relaxed after acupuncture, and it follows that resting is always a good option. The body heals when it rests. The Zen Zone remember?

Don’t go to the gym.

Don’t run a marathon.

Rest. Journal. Colour Mandalas. Meditate. Rest.

What the wind in the trees, or the clouds in the sky.

I also recommend drinking lots of water afterwards, and the next day. The needling can have a detox effect and being properly hydrated will help to flush out the toxins.

Here’s how to get ready:

So you want to get the best bang for your buck? Here’s how to prepare for your first acupuncture treatment:

1. Come hydrated.
2. Avoid coffee before and after by about 3 hours.
3. Wear minimal jewelry. No. Scratch that. Don’t wear any.
4. Please don’t wear jeans.
5. Wear natural fiber clothing, not synthetics.
6. Wear layers.
7. If you can, avoid under wire bras.
8. Make sure your clothes are loose so they can be adjusted as needed.

Some people say that acupuncture is most effective when done with minimal clothing and I tend to agree.

I’ll have gowns and drapes on the ready!

Ready to give it a try?

Why not come in and see for yourself? I’d love to meet you, hear your story, and introduce you to this powerful healing tool. And help you get healthy, happy and doing what you love  – because I believe these folks contribute to world peace. Imagine being one of them!! Give us a call.

Here’s to your healthy, thriving, delightful life!