Aftercare
Common responses to treatment
I felt energized...
There is a small portion of patients that report a surge of energy, feeling energized, or motivated after an acupuncture treatment.
I have never been so relaxed...
Common Responses to treatment
The majority of patients report a feeling of deep relaxation both mentally and physically after they receive an acupuncture treatment.
Common responses to treatment
How will you feel?
Everyone responds differently after receiving an acupuncture treatment. Some people respond with deep relaxation and mental clarity, and maybe even a bit sleepy. Some people feel motivated after treatment or feel energized and want to be productive.
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You also may not feel the subtle shifts right away and that is perfectly normal. Acupuncture is a very subtle treatment and can take up to 12-24 hours after you received a treatment to settle in.
The results of your treatment can vary depending on the lifestyle habits and activities you engage in after treatment. What you do after acupuncture treatments can affect your results and how beneficial the treatments will have on your condition. We have listed below some recommendations of habits to avoid and habits to incorporate in order to maximize your results with acupuncture.
What we recommend
01.
Drink Plenty of Water
We recommend drinking plenty of water after your treatments to achieve the best results and flush out any toxins. Water hydrates the body, lubricates, and moves nutrients to areas of the body that need it the most. We are made up of 70% water so it is key to keep hydrated for optimal results.
02.
Rest, Relax, Heal
Instead of engaging in strenuous exercise or stressful activities, we recommend relaxing, resting, and resuming your activities the following day. Allow time for your body to heal.
03.
Eat Healthy, Nutrient-Dense Foods
We recommend eating plenty of nutrient-dense foods to support your healing process and maximize the results of your acupuncture treatments.
04.
Warmth, Heat, Comfort
We recommend using warmth with a heating pad or heat with a warming topical ointment to help increase blood circulation and mobility. Warm baths or showers with Epsom salt can also help decrease your experience of inflammation and pain.
What to avoid
01.
Avoid the consumption of alcohol & caffeine
Alcohol and caffeine can alter your state of mind and disrupt your bodily awareness. Drinking alcohol and caffeine after a treatment disrupts the effectiveness of acupuncture by depleting your body of hydration and essential nutrients which help your body heal. You are likely to not benefit from the treatment and achieve maximum results if you drink alcohol or caffeine after your appointment. It is highly recommended that you abstain from the use of alcohol and caffeine after your treatment.
02.
Avoid Strenuous Activities
The immediate effects of an acupuncture treatment can vary person-to-person. We all respond slightly differently, for instance, some people may have a surge of energy while others may want to relax and take a nap. The key is to take it easy after a treatment to allow the body the time it needs to heal.
03.
Avoid Large, Heavy Meals & Junk Food
Acupuncture treatments drive toxins out of the body, move fluids, circulate blood and nutrients throughout our body to help facilitate the healing process. It is counterintuitive to eat junk food or poor-quality foods after a treatment. Avoid processed foods, fried/greasy food, and sugar to maximize the effects of your treatments.
04.
Avoid Cold & Ice
Ice and cold should be reserved initially after an injury or an acute flare-up to reduce the level of inflammation and numb the pain. Thereafter, it is recommended to avoid cold and ice. In Chinese Medicine, cold contributes to stagnation or the lack of movement of blood, fluids, and the free-flow of nutrients to help heal a particular area so, cold and ice would be counter-intuitive. We strongly suggest avoiding ice and cold after an acupuncture appointment because it will slow down the healing process.
Support your healing
In a nutshell....
1
Drink Water
Drinking plenty of water will help flush out any impurities and toxins out of your body. Staying hydrated also aids in proper digestion, absorption of nutrients from your food, helps with circulation, and maintains your body temperature
2
Eat Nutrient-Dense Foods
Eating well is always a good rule of thumb. Having the proper nutrients in your diet will also help to support your healing process both in treatment and long-term.
3
Rest
Providing your body with rest allows your body the time and energy that it needs to heal.