Acupuncture is a well-known complementary therapy, which is a part of traditional Chinese medicine. It has been around for over 2,500 years, and its purpose is to balance the flow of energy throughout the pathways in the body. Its goal is to remove any energy blockages, which helps to

regulate emotional, physical, and mental health.

Acupuncture is done by using thing, solid metal needles to penetrate the skin. This helps with stimulating your nerves, muscles, and connective tissue.

Acupuncture is used to treat an abundance of issues, but it is most commonly used to treat pain and reduce stress. Acupuncture is a great way to promote overall wellness and can help with a variety of issues, including the following:

• Anxiety and depression
• Allergies
• Nausea and vomiting stemmed from chemotherapy or surgeries
• Dental pain
• Headaches and migraines
• High blood pressure
• Insomnia
• Labor pain
• Menstrual cramps and PMS
• Neck pain
• Acupuncture for back pain
• And more

Does Acupuncture Hurt?
A very common misconception about acupuncture is that it hurts, which is why many people are afraid to try it. However, this treatment is not meant to hurt. Instead, you may feel some sensations during treatment, but you should never feel pain.

Overall, it can depend on your pain tolerance and sensitivity. It is important to know that the first acupuncture treatment may cause you to be more sensitive than the following treatments. The reason behind this is because your body is being activated for the first time.

What Does Acupuncture Feel Like?
Acupuncture can be different for everyone; however, it does not result in discomfort or pain. Some people may have the misconception that it needs to hurt in order for it to be effective, but that is certainly not the case. Instead, you will feel an energy of sensations that can be dull or dense and these are considered positive responses. This shows that your body is reacting positively to the treatment.

Many times, patients do not even feel the needles being inserted because they are so thin and fine. Additionally, they are very gently inserted. Once the needle has been inserted, you will feel a tingling sensation, which means that your body is activating to the treatment. You may also feel a heavy or electric sensation, which can result in warmth.

In the rare occurrence that a patient may feel pain, you should let you acupuncturist know. However, most of the time, any type of discomfort will be very brief and will only last a couple of seconds.

How Long Does Acupuncture Last?
Acupuncture treatment can last anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes. You should know that a portion of the time will be spent discussing your reasons for acupuncture and the overall goal that you would like to achieve with the acupuncturist. Depending on the severity of your condition, some sessions may last longer than others--especially during your first appointment.

Aftercare
Once you have finished your treatment, it is important that you take care of yourself post-treatment. You may feel relaxed and sleepy, so make sure that you get plenty of rest and take it easy.

Make sure to eat healthy foods, such as plenty of fruits, vegetables, and protein. Additionally, make sure that you drink plenty of water and stay hydrated. Try to avoid any alcohol and caffeinated drinks.

You may experience very minor bruising; however, that should clear up within a few days. Avoid using any ice packs to treat bruising, as that may negatively impact with your body’s energy flow. You can use heat packs instead.

If you are experiencing any unusual side effects, contact your doctor or acupuncturist and let them know.

Contact Us for Acupuncture in Westchester
If you would like to try acupuncture Westchester, feel free to reach out to our office. Our practitioners and staff have plenty of experience in treating clients that have suffered from an abundance of issues. If you are experiencing back pain, anxiety or stress, allergies, or whatever the case may be, you will be surprised at how helpful acupuncture can be for your body. We will be sure to listen to your issues and our chiropractor Westchester will target them to get you the help that you need.