Well Within Acupuncture in Long Beach, CA

What to Expect

 

Initial Assessment
Treatment
What to Expect After Treatment
Side Effects
Flare Up
Course of Treatment
Preparing for Your Treatment

 

 

 

Initial Assessment

When you arrive for your first acupuncture appointment I review with you the New Patient Questionnaire, which asks questions about your current state of health, past illnesses, and family history. These questions are important because the holistic approach of Oriental medicine takes everything into account. Your current symptoms may not seem related to past health issues, but our bodies are complex landscapes and everything that happens to them tells a story.

After reviewing your Questionnaire, we will discuss your condition, and I will examine your pulse and tongue, which are two of the basic diagnostic methods of Oriental medicine. The acupuncture points I choose will depend on your condition, but you can expect approximately 20 needles. Once the needles are inserted, I will leave you to lie comfortably for 15-20 minutes with the needles in place. Many people find acupuncture treatment deeply relaxing, and it is not uncommon for patients to fall asleep during this time.

Treatment

Aside from the acupuncture treatment, a session may also include heat therapy, herbal prescriptions, nutritional supplements, and diet and lifestyle advice.

What to Expect After Treatment

Many people experience relief immediately. It may also be delayed for a few hours, or even occur over the next one to three days. The experienced relief is individual to each patient. You may find the relief after your first visit lasts for a few hours and then with each successive treatment the relief may last longer. Or relief may last from the first treatment until your next visit.

Side Effects

Side effects are rare and should only last a short time. They may include the following: dizziness, sleepiness, feeling lightheaded, euphoria, nausea, slight bruising, residual muscle aches. Staying hydrated after your treatment will help to minimize these side effects, as well as resting after your treatment. Any side effects should be reported at your next visit.

Flare Up

In the long run, acupuncture does not make symptoms worse. On rare occasions, however, one’s original symptoms may briefly get worse, or “flare-up,” after a treatment. A flare-up typically occurs later on the day of your treatment and should only last for a few hours. After a flare-up, your symptoms should begin to improve.

Often times, acupuncture accelerates and strengthens the body’s ability to heal and recover from sickness by expelling a pathogen. It also may restore any imbalances or disharmony within the body. For example, if you have a cold, acupuncture will not get rid of the cold, but it can help accelerate the cold cycle so your body recovers faster. If you are fatigued and beginning to get a cold, acupuncture can help your body fight it off.

Course of Treatment

Your first visit will include a customized treatment plan detailing a suitable course of treatment for your specific condition. If you are dealing with an acute condition of recent onset, you may only require two or three treatments. Chronic conditions usually require more treatments to achieve sustained results. Treatment for Hepatitis C and fertility follow specific protocols, which will be discussed with you at your first visit.

The ideal approach to illness is to begin immediate treatment. The sooner you seek help, the easier it is to treat. For longstanding illnesses, weekly treatments may be required for several months in order to have a curative effect. For patients planning on undergoing Western treatment for Hepatitis C or fertility, it is recommended that acupuncture and/or herbal treatments be started approximately three months in advance of Western treatment. However, many patients don’t learn of the benefits of Chinese medicine until they are already undergoing Western treatment. In that case, it is best to start acupuncture and/or herbs as soon as possible.

Once you initiate a healing process, it is important to follow through on treatments. Consistency increases the likelihood of results, and the effects of acupuncture tend to be cumulative. After you are feeling better, a few additional treatments may be recommended. In Chinese medicine, this is referred to as “solidifying the constitution.” The goal is to further strengthen your body to prevent recurrence of the illness. Your body is most vulnerable following recovery from illness because it has expended much of its energy and internal resources in order to heal. Therefore, it is important to have several treatments in order to prevent repeated or new illness. In general, when an illness recurs it is often more difficult to treat.

Preparing for Your Treatment

The following suggestions are provided to help you have a safe and relaxing acupuncture experience. Please read this section carefully and if you have any questions, please contact me prior to your first visit.

• Please bring a list of current medications you are taking, including any prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements, and vitamins.

• Eat a light meal or snack prior to your visit. Acupuncture is not performed on individuals who are fasting. Being over-hungry increases the risk of nausea or dizziness. At the same time, please do not overeat or eat any foods that cause your stomach to be upset (for example, rich, greasy, fried, or extremely spicy foods).

• Avoid alcohol on the day of your treatment. Acupuncture is not performed on intoxicated individuals due to the increased risk of shock. It is also not advisable to become intoxicated shortly after treatment.

• Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Acupuncture points are located all over the body. Many of the acupuncture points that are commonly used are located between the wrists and elbows and the ankles and knees. You will be more comfortable if your clothing can be easily rolled up to your elbows and knees.

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