Acupuncture also awakens your selfhealing
capabilities, and with that can come
an onslaught of bodily awareness. This is
usually a positive experience, but it also can
mean heightened sensitivity or intolerance
for things that previously felt normal.
While most people notice a marked
improvement in their symptoms following
acupuncture, some feel worse before they
start feeling better. In natural medicine
circles this is sometimes referred to as a
“healing crisis.” The idea is that as your body
starts undergoing the
changes involved in
moving toward health,
things get stirred up.
This can cause not only
an exacerbation of
current symptoms, but
also the recurrence of
previous ailments that
had been dormant.
People can feel
wiped out after
acupuncture. This
is your body telling
you that it’s depleted.
Feeling fatigued after acupuncture is not
cause for concern, but it is a warning sign that
you need to rest. If you have this experience,
take it easy for the remainder of the day. Take
a bath that night. Go to bed early. Come
morning, the combination of acupuncture
and rest will leave you feeling renewed.
Soreness experienced from acupuncture
can occur if a trigger point was released, but
typically dissipates within 24 hours. Bruising
can happen at the needle site, but it is less
common than soreness. Involuntary muscle
twitching sometimes happens during or after
acupuncture treatments (keep in mind that
a muscle twitch is different than a muscle
spasm, and if you feel that one of your
muscles that was just “needled” is acutely
spasming, be sure to tell your acupuncturist).
Lightheadedness is rare, but it can happen.
Getting up too quickly from the treatment
table can cause it, as can having acupuncture
on an empty stomach. Take your time getting
up and move around slowly when your
session is over.
While side effects are rarely cause for
concern, you know your body best. If any
of the side effects experienced through
acupuncture feel like they are too severe,
last too long, or if you notice any additional
negative reactions to a treatment, you should
contact your acupuncturist. Acupuncture
can be a physically and emotionally intense
experience; it is perfectly acceptable if you
require a little extra time gathering yourself
up.
Sometimes people cry during acupuncture.
This is not because of
physical pain; rather
it is because of their
emotions. Although it
can come as a surprise
for those who tend to
stifl e emotions while
powering through
life, the emotional
release is considered
a positive effect.
Increased emotional
expression is an
indication that healing
is happening. Physical
There is something to be learned about every
inch of our skin, and how it correlates with other
points in our body.
and emotional health is interconnected from
an acupuncture perspective. Emotional shifts
are an indicator that forthcoming physical
changes are underway, and are a sign that
the acupuncture is working.
For anyone who has ever wondered
about acupuncture, or who has a chronic
condition that isn’t improving, it is certainly
worth a try. Acupuncture is a respected
and effective form of health care that treats
a number of conditions in the body.
Studies have shown that acupuncture
causes numerous biological responses
creating systematic effects, including
improved immune function and
healing. It is a natural form of healing
that provides long-term results, the
kind that anyone can stick to.
For more information about
acupuncture, see the American
Society of Acupuncturists website,
asuca.org. You can also fi nd more
information at aaaomonline.org.
/asuca.org
/aaaomonline.org