Image: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
I try to preface every treatment by addressing this question.
Because Chinese medicine is a holistic medicine, and we're all different people, we all respond differently.
Some people will feel tired.
Others will feel energized.
Some won't feel any different at all.
When I was in acupuncture school, we joked about acupuncture treatments taking you to "Aculand." Aculand is that place that leaves you feeling blissed out after a treatment, but not exactly sure if you're safe to drive for a few minutes. It's kind of like when you take a nap in the middle of the day and take a little while to fully wake up. Lots of patients visit Aculand. I've had patients describe it as the feeling of being ever so slightly tipsy. (Taking sips of cool water and sitting for a minute or two helps clear the feeling, by the way)
But what might you feel in the days following your treatment?
Again, you may feel tired or energized. (Feeling tired usually only lasts a day or two)
Almost all of my patients mention how they slept the best that they have in a long time the first couple of nights after treatment.
Because Chinese medicine is a holistic medicine, and we're all different people, we all respond differently.
Some people will feel tired.
Others will feel energized.
Some won't feel any different at all.
When I was in acupuncture school, we joked about acupuncture treatments taking you to "Aculand." Aculand is that place that leaves you feeling blissed out after a treatment, but not exactly sure if you're safe to drive for a few minutes. It's kind of like when you take a nap in the middle of the day and take a little while to fully wake up. Lots of patients visit Aculand. I've had patients describe it as the feeling of being ever so slightly tipsy. (Taking sips of cool water and sitting for a minute or two helps clear the feeling, by the way)
But what might you feel in the days following your treatment?
Again, you may feel tired or energized. (Feeling tired usually only lasts a day or two)
Almost all of my patients mention how they slept the best that they have in a long time the first couple of nights after treatment.
Another reaction that most of my patients experience is a decrease in stress levels. Almost across the board, people like coming to acupuncture regardless of their original health complaint because of the reduction in stress and anxiety. Who wouldn't want to feel more relaxed?
Some people will notice that other minor health complaints start to resolve. Their slightly looser bowel movements might never have been something to complain about, but now that they're firmed up, it's pretty exciting! Or maybe they felt cold all the time and realized that they haven't needed that extra sweater all week.
If you were treated for body pains, your muscles may feel a little sore or tired (as if you exercised a little too exuberantly). Some people may experience flu-like symptoms, much like is possible after a good deep-tissue massage. In relaxed muscle, the byproducts of normal cell function are flushed away by our body fluids. In tight, spasmy muscles these byproducts get trapped. When tight muscles relax, they may release all of those pent-up byproducts all at once, rather than gradually, which can cause body aches, a sensation of chills and fever and mild nausea.
Flu-like symptoms can be prevented by drinking copious amounts of water after such treatments. Really, it's a good idea to drink lots of water after acupuncture treatments regardless of what's being treated. It helps your body accomplish all of the functions that it needs to accomplish!
If you were treated for body pains, your muscles may feel a little sore or tired (as if you exercised a little too exuberantly). Some people may experience flu-like symptoms, much like is possible after a good deep-tissue massage. In relaxed muscle, the byproducts of normal cell function are flushed away by our body fluids. In tight, spasmy muscles these byproducts get trapped. When tight muscles relax, they may release all of those pent-up byproducts all at once, rather than gradually, which can cause body aches, a sensation of chills and fever and mild nausea.
Flu-like symptoms can be prevented by drinking copious amounts of water after such treatments. Really, it's a good idea to drink lots of water after acupuncture treatments regardless of what's being treated. It helps your body accomplish all of the functions that it needs to accomplish!
Oh, and of course, many people start seeing a change in their original health complaint. Their painful knee might not be cured, but they notice that they can walk just a little longer before it starts getting cranky. Or their headaches aren't likely gone, but they had fewer that week.
Most people are pretty pleased with that last reaction ;)
