What will it feel like?
The sensations of stimulus, known as "De Qi" in Chinese, will feel different for different people. While some describe it as a heavy sensation, others will say they feel a tightness or warmth or even a sense of flow. Once the needles are in many report a sense of deep relaxation.
Does it hurt? Will I bleed?
You may feel a little uncomfortable at times but it should not be painful. If you do experience pain, it is important to tell your practitioner. Most people do not bleed, although occasionally you might experience a few drops of blood immediately after removal of the needles. Some people experience light bruising at some acupuncture points. It is important to tell your practitioner if you feel more than slight discomfort either at the clinic during treatment or afterwards. We encourage you not to wait until your next appointment to report any concerns - call the clinic if you are ever unsure.
I'm needle phobic - can I still get acupuncture?
Yes you can! Most people feel very little sensation on insertion of the super-fine needles and some needle phobics are okay with traditional acupuncture.
Can I go about my normal activities afterwards?
By and large yes. You can have a massage, play sports or go to the gym. Some people may want to take it a bit easier with strenuous activity. However should you experience any pain or unexpected symptoms, discontinue the activity and let us know. It is advisable to wait a day or two following needle acupuncture before giving blood. Otherwise, stay warm and drink plenty of fluids (not alcohol or strong caffeine drinks).
What about other medications I'm taking?
We ask you what medications you are taking on your patient intake form. Please keep us up to date with any changes. There is no adverse reactions between Acupuncture and medications but if you are also using herbal medicine we need to take that into account when putting together your formulas.
What do I wear? Do I have to get naked?
No you don't have to get naked! It is best to wear comfortable, loose fitting shirts and pants. Depending on your condition we might need to insert needles in shoulders, backs, legs, etc., so loose fitting roll-up-able separates are the best option.
Will I feel better? Do I have to come again?
Everyone's experience with Acupuncture is different. There is no 'usual' response as such. Some people report quite a significant lowering of pain/ symptom level while others will have a less significant change. In some cases the pain/symptom disappears completely with the first treatment but that is not particularly common and is not generally sustained for very long. The ideal response is to have a lowering of pain/ symptom which then stays at that level for the following 2-5 days, then with each successive treatment the pain or symptom is lowered further until there is no pain or discomfort at all. Initially we like to book weekly appointments for most patients. For severe cases it may be slightly more often in the initial stages. Once the level of pain or symptoms is lowered consistently and for longer periods we can move to fortnightly or monthly appointments until there are no symptoms at all.
