How to prepare for your first acupuncture session at ACU 585.
Your first acupuncture experience should be smooth and pleasant! It can vary by practitioner and what you’re having treated, but there are some general things to keep in mind leading up to your session.
PRE-TREATMENT:
acupuncture | rochester, ny | acu 585
Don’t worry about looking good, just dress in your most comfortable threads 👍
What to wear:
We recommend that you wear your loosest, baggiest, most comfortable clothes. If you want to come in your favorite pajamas, be our guest (no joke). In almost every case, we’ll be accessing points on your legs, ankles, arms, hands, abdomen (or back) and head. So while tight fitting yoga pants can be comfy, they’re actually not the best choice for an acupuncture session.
General rule of thumb: the looser, the better.
In the majority of cases when treating neck, back, hip, shoulder (etc.) pain, we’ll naturally need to have access to those local areas. In these situations we’ll typically follow standard massage therapy protocols wherein the patient will de-robe as far as necessary and comfortable to effectively conduct the treatment. In all cases, you will be fully draped on areas not receiving treatment. Gowns are also available.
If you’re coming in for upper-back, head or neck pain, it can be helpful to remove necklaces and large earrings. Generally speaking, it’s best to remove jewelry from any area close to where you’ll be having treatment.
What to eat and drink:
When you get an acupuncture session, your body tends to go into the parasympathetic “rest and digest” mode. This is a good thing! This is one of the reasons many people use acupuncture as part of their stress management strategy.
Naturally, when your body goes into ‘rest and digest’ mode, it’s helpful to have something to digest. There are very few side effects from acupuncture, however one of the most common is occasional nausea stemming from having treatment on an empty stomach The surefire way to avoid this is having a light snack before your session, ideally a snack that is low in refined sugar and carbs with a decent amount of protein.
Water is good. You don’t want to have so much that you’ll need to use the restroom after your session begins, but you’ll want to have enough to make sure you’re reasonably hydrated.
We recommend starting early. When you wake up have a glass or two, even before your coffee (we recommend this everyday, actually! … the “inner bath” as it’s known), then before your session have a small cup, even just a few hearty sips will do.
DURING TX:
ACU 585 | ROCHESTER’S ACUPUNCTURE
NEEDLE PHOBIA? NO WORRIES, WE’VE BEEN THERE TOO. ACUPUNCTURE IS MUCH DIFFERENT THAN TRADITIONAL NEEDLES
Needle Phobia - If you have a needle phobia, it’s ok. Believe it or not, our two main practitioners Dr. Shamus and Dr. Jacki both have needle phobias! (Odd career choice right?) That’s all to say, we get it. We’re very sensitive to it.
We use very gentle needle insertion techniques. Many times, you don’t even feel the needle go in, just a gentle “tap”. That said, if you’ve had a few insertions and have had enough acupuncture, it’s 100% ok. If you are getting your treatment and need a break, it’s ok. We’ll stay at your pace and comfort. Don’t be afraid to let us know, please feel free to communicate.
Wandering Mind —
Some people love the opportunity to lay silently and do nothing for 30+ minutes whereas some people get anxious even at the thought of it. We’re all built differently, and that’s ok.
We strive to make your treatment as comfortable as possible.
Feel free to request any arrangement of sound or light for your session. Each room is equipped with immersive stereo sound, white noise sound machines, and adjustable lighting, so we’re happy to cater the experience to whatever settings makes you the most comfortable. Feel free to request any type of music (or no music), podcast, lighting (dim, bright, even colored) — what ever puts your mind most at ease.
We’re also happy to provide great mindfulness tips to practice during the session. Many people who worry about being quiet for a session are often surprised to find that they get deeper into a mindful state each time they get acupuncture, and the sessions become a mindfulness practice in and of themselves. Whatever it is for you — we’ll make sure you’re as comfortable as possible. Please keep us in the loop as to what you need to have a peaceful, enjoyable experience.
Physical Comfort —
As for your mind, so for your body. We have a wide array of bolsters, tables, chairs, pillows, blankets, etc. So if you have particular way you feel most comfortable just let us know, if we can accommodate we most certainly will.
POST TREATMENT:
Acupuncture | Rochester, NY | acU 585
HYDRATE! As with any wellness therapy, it’s always good to make sure your cells are hydrated and happy
If it’s your first acupuncture session, we recommend leaving yourself some time to re-adjust before you jump back into your routine. While acupuncture is gentle, it can be very powerful in ways that you might not expect.
Some people feel they like to take it easy after a session and continue to enjoy the relaxation while some are energized and ready to jump back into their day. You might be either type, either way, it’s worth giving yourself a little time after your first session to see where on the spectrum you land. You’re welcome to stay as long as you’d like after your session, we have a few nice spots you can relax, sip some tea and be quiet and mindful, or even catch up on some emails.
Can you workout after your session? This may vary from session to session, so the answer is not once size fits all. Best bet is to check in with your practitioner before or during your session, we’re happy to advise.
Can you drink alcohol after your first session? This may also vary from session to session. The short answer is, moderation. Again, best bet is to check in with your practitioner for guidance.
Lastly, as always with any type of body/wellness treatment, it’s a good idea to hydrate afterwards!