Prepare For and Receive Acupuncture

It's likely that you have heard of acupuncture, and you may even know someone who has experienced it. Acupuncture is the attempt to restore and maintain health through the stimulation of specific anatomical points on the body. If you're considering trying this alternative medical system yourself, for a condition that is chronic, or one where Western medicine seems to have failed you, here are some ideas for approaching your choice.

Steps

 * 1) Study the concept and system of Oriental acupuncture. Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years in China and Asia. However, it doesn't follow a Western European method of disease diagnosis and treatment, so it is useful to study this method before seeking treatment:
 * 2) *Read about it in books or magazines.
 * 3) *Talk to an acupuncture practitioner, or to someone who has successfully used it.
 * 4) *Read information on suitable websites, such as government health departments or traditional Chinese medicine schools with a good reputation.
 * 5) Decide if you can trust or accept this methodology. If you are extremely adverse to trying it, no one can or should convince you to do so. However, if you are convinced it might work for you, or you're feeling desperate for another treatment route, acupuncture might be helpful. Acupuncture can relieve pain, reduce symptoms, or help restore a balance to your system. Only you can decide if it is worth giving it a try.
 * 6) *Be wary of anyone who claims it can cure anything more substantial, however, as it doesn't cure cancer and cannot save you from an incurable illness.
 * 7) Determine if your insurance plan will cover treatment. If you have decided to try acupuncture, see if it is covered by your insurance plan or your health system's welfare coverage.
 * 8) *Your doctor might have to refer you for treatment to get it covered. Discuss this idea with your doctor first if you wish.
 * 9) *If it's not covered, decide if you can afford to pay for it on your own.
 * 10)  [[Image:Acupuncturist in Beijing.jpg|right|180px|thumb|A Westerner studying Chinese medicine in China]]Find a qualified practitioner. Depending on where you live, you might easily find a qualified acupuncture doctor, or you may not. The NIH, however, has found that acupuncture is being widely practiced by physicians, dentists, acupuncturists, and other practitioners. You will need to check if acupuncture is regulated where you live; a state, province, or region may or may not certify such doctors, making it harder for you to know whether or not your acupuncturist is reputable.
 * 11) *If you are having difficulties finding out, inquire in a local Oriental medicine clinic or college for more information.
 * 12) *If you know of people who have had successful treatments, ask for their recommendation.
 * 13) *Always ask to see the credentials.
 * 14) Understand what the treatment consists of. Acupuncture is a system in which you receive a series of up to 20 treatments of up to an hour each, spread out over several weeks. There will usually be a day or two between each treatment. Acupuncture focuses on treating overall well-being and not just the symptoms, taking a holistic approach. This means you must set aside time  because it is useless to take only one treatment, or to begin a series and not finish it. Not finishing a course of treatment is a waste of money.
 * 15) Schedule your first consultation. Go to the acupuncturist and tell him/her your problem. Show your acupuncturist where your pain is, explain your symptoms, tell him/her what you've tried before, what you eat, how you sleep. Be open to the acupuncturist's explanation and suggestions. Expect the explanation to be different from what a Western doctor may say.
 * 16) Prepare for your first treatment. Tell the acupuncturist if this is your first time. He/she will probably explain what is going on in more detail for a new patient. Normally, you will lie on a regular examination or massage bed, and remove clothes from the areas the acupuncturist tells you to. You will be draped in a sheet or towel, plus a blanket if it's cold.
 * 17) *[[Image:Acupuncture Needles.jpg|right|180px|thumb|New acupuncture needles]]The acupuncturist will unwrap new sterile needles from paper packets. They might also swab the insertion areas with alcohol (this is required for qualified acupuncturists in the USA). You might not see where they will be inserted.
 * 18) Relax. Close your eyes and let your muscles loosen. This is a time to focus your energy inward toward healing. Focus on the fact that you have pain or something wrong, and you want to get better. Let this happen.
 * 19) * You will feel a small prick when the needle is inserted. After that first instant, you should feel nothing. If you feel a sudden sharp nerve pain, yelp and let the acupuncturist know. He/she might need to insert the needle in a slightly different place.
 * 20) * [[Image:Acupuncture..jpg|right|180px|thumb|Inserting a needle]]The acupuncturist may insert up to 20 different needles at various points, though the first treatment may have fewer. Lie still. Close your eyes. Relax. Visualize the areas of pain or problems, and how they must improve. You should soon feel absolutely nothing. Rest. Take a little nap. Meditate.
 * 21) *Pain is subjective, and many people report no or minimal pain from acupuncture. If there is undue pain, alert the practitioner immediately as it may be the result of improper placement of the needles, a defected needle, or your own movement causing a slip.
 * 22)  [[Image:Acupuncture at Taeyoungdang Oriental Medicine, Dongdaemun gu.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Lie quietly and relax. It doesn't hurt.]]Lie quietly for the duration of treatment. This could be anywhere from 20-60 minutes, less at first. Don't plan to read, though you could listen to quiet music. It's best to simply snooze or meditate.
 * 23)  Don't fight the treatment. You have decided to receive acupuncture. Now you must relax, not argue, or stress. Otherwise it won't work as well. Go with it. If you decide later not to return, that's your choice. During the treatment, simply lie there. It won't hurt after the first moment.

Video
Prepare For and Receive Acupuncture

Tips

 * Acupuncture needles may be placed anywhere on the body, depending on what is being treated. Don't be alarmed by needles on the abdomen, scalp, between the eyes, or on the ears. In fact, they hurt less than needles placed in the hand, knee, ankle, or elbow.
 * You won't feel any definite change or improvement after the first treatment. Don't expect it. It will take at least 2-3 treatments to begin feeling any change. Often change comes slowly and reveals even weeks after treatment ends.
 * Feel free to bring your own pillow or throw cover if that makes you feel better during treatment.
 * Supplement treatment with herbs such as essential oils during and after treatment, if you wish. Bring incense to burn if you get permission.
 * Acupuncture in China is often supplemented with other treatment modalities such as bringing burning wood close to the end of inserted needles to conduct heat to the site of pain. If you don't like it when it's done to you, politely decline it.
 * [[Image:Charlotte Stuart treating an acupuncture patient in Nelson, New Zealand.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Related massage work]]Related modalities that may be used include suction cups (special glass cups fastened to your skin with suction), hard scraping of the skin with a special bone instrument to stimulate blood flow to the surface, and massage. Discuss these with the acupuncturist and accept or decline them gracefully. [[Image:Acupuncture bell jars, Stillpoint Acupuncture, Nelson, New Zealand.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Special acupuncture cups]]
 * Following acupuncture, you may notice small red dots where the needles were, or even slight bruising under the skin. These are normal and not cause for concern.
 * [[Image:Porcupinut  acupuncture Delen.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Acupuncture for pets]]Acupuncture can be given to children and pets. Find acupuncturists who specialize in this.
 * Scientists are continuing to study the benefits of acupuncture. It is good to keep an open mind about its benefits.

Warnings

 * If pain continues for two minutes or more after a needle is inserted, tell the acupuncturist to remove it and try again. Sometimes the needle hits a nerve meridian, and though this is often part of treatment, if it's severe, it needs to be moved.
 * Have the acupuncturist show you the new sterile needles before treatment begins. This is the only part of acupuncture where sanitary safety is a factor. The US Food and Drug Administration requires licensed acupuncture practitioners to use needles that are sterile, non-toxic and labeled for single use only.
 * American Medical Association report stated that there is insufficient evidence to support acupuncture's effectiveness in treating disease.

Things You'll Need

 * Internet access
 * Contact details for acupuncturists
 * Your own physician's advice
 * Blanket or pillow (optional)
 * Incense or aromatherapy (optional, always ask first)
 * Music (optional, ask if it can be played)

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Do Acupressure
 * How to Stop Nausea With Acupressure
 * How to Achieve Holistic Healing