Going to the acupuncture clinic for the first time can be nerve-wracking for some people. We understand the apprehension. If you’ve not done acupuncture before, the idea of being treated by needlepoint can be anxiety-inducing for patients.
But just like attending a yoga class or trying sushi for the first time, the concept may be scary at first, but as soon as someone tries it, their fear is replaced by enthusiasm.
In this article, we are going to discuss what you can expect from your first visit to the acupuncture clinic and how professional acupuncturists know how to quell any anxieties with facts and experience.
Before Your Appointment
There are a few tasks to complete before you visit the acupuncture clinic for the first time. First, check if your health insurance provider covers acupuncture, and share that information with the clinic via their preferred method.
Make sure your body has ample nutrients in it before attending your first appointment. What do we mean by this? Drink plenty of water and eat some food a few hours before your appointment. Staying hydrated with some disposable energy in your body decreases the risk of feeling dizzy or sick during your session.
Wear loose-fitting clothing that can easily be rolled up or adjusted where necessary. Unlike a full-body massage, acupuncture treatments do not require you to be undressed, but there is a level of accessibility that the practitioner needs to trigger acupoints on your body.
The Discovery Process
From the moment you step through the front door at the acupuncture clinic, the acupuncturist is going to do their best to make you as comfortable as possible while also learning what ailments have brought you to them in the first place.
During the first appointment, a discovery process will begin to give the acupuncturist the best information to help them determine what your ailments are and how they can best provide some relief.
The acupuncturist will ask a series of questions, not too dissimilar to the questions your primary care physician would ask during a check-up. The questions will be basic ones, such as what medications you’re taking, allergies you have, and your family medical history.
From there, the acupuncturist may ask some questions that seem unrelated to your ailment. But, the answers help the practitioner get an understanding of how the systems in your body are functioning. These questions may pertain to your digestive health, sleep patterns, stress levels, or other bodily functions.
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The Various Types Of Acupuncture Treatment
Believe it or not, there multiple types of acupuncture treatments practiced in modern acupuncture clinics today. And, not all of these types of acupuncture involve the use of needles!
At our Weymouth acupuncture clinic, we practice body acupuncture, auricular & scalp acupuncture, non-insertive acupuncture, and we even suggest at-home acupuncture treatments patients can complete on their own.
The point of acupuncture is to trigger the flow of energy from acupoints across the meridians of the body, not to stick needles wherever they will fit for the heck of it.
Will The Needles Hurt?
This is probably the most frequently asked question any acupuncturist will hear from patients who are new to the treatment. Being fearful of needles is natural, and even the toughest of us can become squeamish when it comes to needles. However, there is nothing to fear when it comes to the sterile needles used during acupuncture treatment.
The needles that acupuncturists use are about the width of a few pieces of hair, smaller than any needle used for an injection or intravenous needles to draw blood. The needles used for acupuncture today typically vary from .12mm to .35mm, which are very fine needles.
Patients who are brand new to acupuncture often ask “is it in yet?” Fearing the pain to come, but in reality, the acupuncturist has already inserted multiple needles without the patient even realizing it.
Generally speaking, the needles do not hurt at all. You may experience a slight prick when the needle is first inserted. But, this is described as a sensation close to a mosquito bite, and not all insertions instigate this sensation. The fear of the needles is by far worse than the feeling of getting acupuncture needles inserted for the first time.
What Should I Do After My First Acupuncture Appointment?
Your acupuncturist will have some explicit instructions for you to follow after your appointment, but there are some basic practices to follow post-acupuncture treatment.
You’ll want to get rest, both body and mind. Take some time, even meditate after your appointment to allow your body to realign itself while healing.
You can also apply heat to the acupoints on your body that were triggered during your session. These points may even be sore, so heat will help them move energy along and heal faster.
If you have any questions about our Weymouth acupuncture clinic, please reach out. Jessica Grace Redfern MAOM, Lic. Ac. is our in-house, experienced acupuncturist.