Stefanie Rothert Licensed Acupuncturist, M.S.T.O.M. Nationally Certified: May 2015

About Acupuncture, Before, During and After:

For the treatment of Pain: There are typically two ways to treat pain in Chinese Medicine:

Treating the local site of pain is the most traditional way.
Only treating points on other limbs is another and usually more effective way to treat pain with Acupuncture. This method is effective 98% of the time.
It can take between 6-15 treatments to get results, though usually a difference can be made within 3.
Acupuncture works. Factors that influence the efficacy are frequency of treatment, correct treatment and lifestyle.
Traditionally, one would receive 2-3 treatments a week until your Chief complaint has stabilized.

When doesn’t Acupuncture work:

When there are structural issues, Acupuncture may only be palliative.
When a person continues to do what causes the imbalance, Acupuncture may become palliative or ineffective.

Before:

Please come dressed in comfortable clothing. Rarely will you be undressed during a treatment, so clothing that is comfortable and easy to move, is preferable.
Make sure you have eaten before. Some people may become faint after a treatment, when they have lower blood sugar.

During:

Needles may feel sharp when they first go through the skin, they should not stay sharp or burning.
A normal sensation is warm, tingly (but not nerve-like), throbbing, dull, moving, achy. Those are sensations that are good, that means the needles are working. Some people may just feel themselves relaxing.
Typically, you should feeling something happening during the treatment, so that you know its working. But, everyone is different. Treatments may take 48 hours or longer to take effect.

After:

Hydrate. Acupuncture is detoxifying and muscles need hydration to heal, and recover.
Take it easy, to let your body heal itself, you may feel tired or energized.
Acupuncture can take up to two to seven days to take effect. Don’t get discouraged, treatments can be changed, Healing is a process, we have to work together to find the key to unlock the pathway to your health.
You may feel worse or sore before you feel better, this is completely normal, depending on your condition and treatment.

Stefanie Rothert Licensed Acupuncturist, M.S.T.O.M. Nationally Certified