So this is your first treatment?

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE ACUPUNCTURE?

Acupuncturists start diagnosing as soon as you walk through the door. The way you walk, sit and speak about your problem already gives us some idea of what is happening.
You may be asked a lot of questions about yourself, your problem and your medical history. Then we take your pulses, in Chinese Medicine we take 12 pulses and feel for up to 28 qualities, followed by a inspection of your tongue, where we look at the shape, colour, coating etc.
After you’ve gone through the initial diagnostic procedure, you are ready for your first treatment! Some people are frightened by the thought of Acupuncture and may feel that it takes a great deal of courage to have these needles stuck in them. The first and probably most important thing to understand about Acupuncture is that it is NOT a painful experience. Most treatments involve insertion of between 5 to 10 needles. Acupuncture needles are much finer then hypodermic needles. In fact, most acupuncture needles fit into the central hole of a standard hypodermic needle. They also have a rounded tip as compared to the cutting edge of a hypodermic needle. So there is usually no bleeding or bruising.

Needle sensation:In Chinese we say that if acupuncture is to achieve its maximum effect, it is necessary for the acupuncturist to obtain ‘Deqi’, or the feeling of Qi. To get this, the needles are manipulated after insertion and the sensations experienced vary according to the points needled. It could be a dull ache or numbness, an electric sensation or a sensation traveling up or down the channel being treated. Whatever it is, the needle no longer feels like a needle!

Belief:Another common question is ´´do you have to believe in it to work?´´. The short answer is: Definitely not, Acupuncture works whether you believe in it or not. I have many years experience in treating animals (mainly dogs and horses) and I never had to whisper in their ears to convince them acupuncture was the way to go!

Response to treatment:This may be different from person to person, depending on the problem being treated, their Qi (energy) level, age etc. In general one could say that acute problems tend to response quickly, in a couple of treatments, while chronic problems may require scores of treatment. Although some relief of symptoms should be felt after a couple of sessions.
On very rare occasions, symptoms may get worse after the first or second treatment.
We call this a rebound effect.

Usually one should get some incremental improvements as treatment progresses.

Could I get infections from having Acupuncture?
Qualified Acupuncturists use disposable needles only, so there is really no risk.
I have been told that some ´´Acupuncturists´´ keep their patients needles in a jar or test tube with the patients name on, or give the patient the needles he/she used on them to take home and bring back next time. This is NOT standard practice, and is dangerous. If you are seeing such a practitioner I would strongly advice you to change practitioner!