Nutrition and mood
Nutrition and mood are closely linked, with a poor diet often exacerbating symptoms of depression and anxiety and an improved diet often resulting in an overall improvement in mental health.
When you attend an acupuncturist, you will often be sent home with "homework". This may include enjoying herbal teas, doing some stretching or strength building exercises. Always follow through with what you are told you do as the recommendation will speed up your treatment and bring you results more quickly.
If you are really tense about acupuncture, consider looking for a practitioner that offers "community" sessions. These are acupuncture sessions where multiple people are in a room receiving treatments. Some people find this community aspect very relaxing. Don't worry: Any consultation is done in private before the sessions, so medical histories are not shared among the group.
When your acupuncturist feels you need a herbal consultation as well, it will likely be in a separate appointment. The process can be quite different, including the questions asked. Once he prescribes the herbs for you, pick them up immediately as the best results will come after using them for a few weeks.
Don't do anything too strenuous after your acupuncture treatment. Treat a treatment like an exercise workout. You don't want to jump into something too strenuous after you have a treatment done, so that you can experience the full benefits of the treatment. For a day or two after your treatment, make sure to take it easy.
Breathe slowly and calmly during your acupuncture treatment. You should inhale deeply and wait a few seconds before exhaling. Some people tend to unconsciously hold their breath once the needles are in place. You should not hesitate to practice a few breathing exercises during the treatment if you find it helpful.
When you're looking for an acupuncturist, make sure they're NCCAOM certified. To get NCCAOM certification, a practitioner must receive a significant amount of training and pass a national exam. When you're letting someone stick needles into your body, you want to be sure that they're an expert on what they're doing.
It is not uncommon to experience muscle twitching during an acupuncture treatment. You should not worry about muscle twitching but let your acupuncturist know if you experience a muscle spasm. This can easily be treated in a few minutes at the end of your appointment. If you repeatedly get this problem, try a different treatment.
Many people think that you have to "believe" in acupuncture in order for it to work. This is not true, however. Both children and animals, as well as adults, are treated with acupuncture, and benefit from its techniques. This makes it obvious that acupuncture is not "mystical", but a legitimate practice.
How do you feel now that you've read this article about the benefits of acupuncture? Are you ready to set up that first appointment? It's an unknown field to many, but now you're well-informed and it is known to you. Spread the joyful news, and take part in your first acupuncture session soon.
