What can you expect from a treatment?

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In an Oriental Medicine assessment, your condition will be differentiated through a thorough examination which will include an in-depth medical history, pulse and tongue diagnosis. Once the Chinese differentiated diagnosis is established, treatment can begin. While the practitioner is out of the room, the patient generally is asked to disrobe down to their undergarments and lay comfortably on a massage table where there are sheets to cover areas not necessary for treatment. Draping is usually below the waist to above the knees and if it is a treatment on the front of the body, there is draping across the chest for women. The room is kept at a comfortable temperature and a heat lamp or fans are available for additional warmth or cooling. 

The patient’s comfort is an utmost priority. After alcohol swabbing, the needles are gently inserted. The number of needles varies according to the problem being treated. After insertion, the needles may be stimulated to produce a stronger effect. They are usually left in place for approximately 20 to 30 minutes, after which they are easily removed and discarded into a biohazard unit. Patients generally find acupuncture very relaxing and many fall asleep on the table.

Response to acupuncture varies depending on the general health of the patient and the condition being treated. The full effects of a treatment are experienced within about 24 hours. Some patients feel an immediate lessoning of symptoms right on the table or by the time they leave the office. This level of relief may last or some degree of pain/symptoms may return. Sometimes there may be no immediate relief but the pain or symptoms can be found to diminish over the next few days. 

Every acupuncturist, Megan included, has had experiences where they have treated a patient once and all of their pain and symptoms have disappeared completely never to return. This, sadly, is not the common experience with acupuncture. Usually, people feel some percentage better—anywhere from 10 to even 100% better—immediately or over the next few days. Then, the further they get from the time of treatment, the pain or symptoms may slowly come back (unless they over do it, at which point the symptoms can come back much more rapidly and intensely). 

By the next appointment, they are not quite as “good” as they were right after the treatment but are still generally better than before they started. The treatments build upon each other making the relief of symptoms greater and/or last longer. It is important that the patient take it easy for at least 24 hours after treatment. Time should be taken to get plenty of rest, drink plenty of water and to generally take care of oneself. 

The number of treatments needed to alleviate a disorder varies upon the duration, nature and severity of the complaint and the overall health of the individual. Generally, acute conditions can be treated successfully within a few treatments. It is commonly recommended to have a series of four or five treatments set no more than a week apart and then reassess the progress from there. Chronic problems, which have taken months or years to develop, are not likely to be “cured” overnight. With chronic conditions, gradual change over time will reflect the gradual restoration of the body’s strength and vitality. 

Acupuncture is an accumulative treatment modality, meaning the treatments build upon each other. Some degenerative conditions may require many treatments over time to manage symptoms. As you improve, fewer visits are required.

•  It is extremely important that you tell your acupuncturist (or any health care practitioner) if you are or think you may be pregnant. 
•  It is best when you arrive for your treatment that you are not overly hungry or overly full. 
• Under no circumstances should you have consumed alcoholic beverages or recreational drugs before a treatment. You should, however, stay on and continue any prescription medications you are taking as prescribed.