What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles into specific points of the body to relieve acute pain, chronic pain, and other conditions. Acupuncture has been used in China and other countries for more than 2,500 years.
Practitioners of Chinese medicine believe that acupuncture works by balancing the flow of life force – or qi – that travels along meridians, or pathways, throughout the body. Blocked qi creates illness and pain, according to ancient Eastern beliefs.
Western practitioners believe acupuncture works by stimulating the body’s natural painkillers, called endorphins, and increasing blood flow. Acupuncture can treat various symptoms and conditions, including:
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Anxiety and depression
- Headaches
- Allergies
- Back and hip pain
- Interstitial Cystitis
- Menstrual cramps
- Restless Leg Syndrome
What does acupuncture treatment involve?
After a thorough physical exam and consultation about your health history and symptoms, Dr. Delgado creates your acupuncture treatment plan.
To gain the most benefits from your acupuncture session, please follow these guidelines from eight hours before to up to forty-eight hours after your session:
- Do not engage in intense physical activity, including sexual activity.
- Do not eat or drink anything very cold or very hot.
- Do not eat any heavy meals; half of your typical meal is recommended.
- Do not abstain from eating; please don’t attend your session hungry.
- Do not drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes.
- Do not take pain medication the day of your treatment.
- Try to be calm and stress-free during your session.
During acupuncture treatment, Dr. Delgado inserts small, fine needles into specific points along your meridians, or energy channels, to unblock your energy and allow it to flow freely.
You may feel a slight prick as the needle is inserted, followed by a numbing, tingling sensation. This is good because it means the needle is in the correct place.
What kind of results can I expect from acupuncture, and how long will they last?
After treatment, most people experience immediate relief and relaxation. Some men and women have slight worsening of symptoms before relief is felt later. Worsening of symptoms is temporary, and relief follows shortly after.
Side effects after an acupuncture treatment may include:
- Better, deeper night’s sleep
- Drowsiness
- Fainting in some cases, especially after the first appointment
- Minor bleeding or bruising occurring in about 3% of treatments
- Pain occurring in about 1% of treatments
- Relaxation
Acupuncture results vary depending on the duration and severity of your symptoms. Some patients experience immediate results, while others notice improvements over the course of several days. Some men and women see their symptoms improve after six to seven treatment sessions.
Dr. Delgado recommends treatments twice a week until you’ve maintained some improvement. Treatments then progress to biweekly, then monthly until eventually checkups are required every two to three months.
Call or click today to learn more about acupuncture today.
