Acupuncture Treatment
What Happens in an Acupuncture Treatment
This post explains what actually happens when you come in for acupuncture: what I ask, where the needles go, what you feel, and what happens afterwards.
Qi and the channels
Acupuncture is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. In Chinese medicine, qi (energy) and blood flow through the body along channels, also called meridians. When that flow is blocked or out of balance, discomfort and illness may follow. Acupuncture treatment aims to restore the flow.
Choosing the points
The needles are not placed at random. Each point is chosen from your Chinese medicine diagnosis. Some points are near the area that bothers you, and others are on the arms, legs or back, chosen for the channels and organ systems involved.
What people come in for
People come in for many reasons, including pain (back pain, sciatica, knee, elbow and foot pain, and headaches), stress and anxiety, and digestive complaints such as indigestion, bloating and IBS. You can see the full list on what acupuncture treats. How people respond varies.
The Acupuncture Session
The initial consultation
At your first visit I take a full history: your main concern, your medical history and medications, and questions about sleep, digestion, energy, temperature and stress. I look at your tongue and feel your pulse. From this I make a Chinese medicine diagnosis and explain the treatment plan.
The needling
The needles are sterile, single-use and very thin, about 0.14 mm to 0.30 mm across. Most people feel a slight sensation rather than pain. Once a needle is in, you may feel tingling, heaviness, warmth or a mild ache around the point. In Chinese medicine this is called the qi sensation. The needles usually stay in for about 20 to 30 minutes while you rest.
Afterwards
Many people feel relaxed after a treatment. Side effects are usually minor, such as slight bruising or brief soreness where a needle was. Some people feel a little tired, so it helps to drink water and take it easy for the rest of the day.
How acupuncture is thought to work
Research into how acupuncture works is still going on. One explanation is that needling stimulates nerves, which may lead to the release of the body’s own pain-relieving chemicals, such as endorphins.
Next step
If you’d like to try acupuncture, you can book an appointment. Current fees are on the fees page.