Side Effects to Expect

Lots of people come to their first appointment wanting to know how they’ll feel after they’re done. That’s a big question! And like most things, it’s different for everyone. But there are some common things you can expect immediately after your appointment, in the days after and long-term as you build a relationship with your acupuncturist. Let’s take those one at a time! 

Immediately: 
You might feel some relief during or right after your appointment—especially if we’re treating something like a headache, nausea or muscle pain. But many people won’t start “feeling” their appointment until later, anywhere from hours to months, depending on what’s being treated. What you might feel right away is an emotional release, fatigue, relaxation, dizziness/lightheadedness and tenderness at the needle sites. These are all normal! Make sure you take it easy, rest, avoid exercise for 24 hours after your appointment, eat well and stay hydrated. 

Within a few days: 
Hopefully, relaxation stays with you for a while after your appointment! You also might experience some bruising, soreness, temporarily increased pain (think of it like massaging a bruise), fatigue, cold symptoms and muscle twitching. You also might feel worse before you feel better. These are all a sign your body is getting unstuck and working through your treatment. 

Long-term: 
This is the big one. The key to long-term wellness is a long-term relationship with your acupuncturist. Because although acupuncture can be used to treat immediate symptoms, it works best when it’s used to set you up for continued health, treating the underlying causes instead of just relieving the current symptoms. So while you might always feel some side effects after each appointment, your long-term side effects are full of the good stuff! That includes addressing underlying conditions, preventing pain or discomfort, better sleep, improved digestion, general wellness and, as you already know, so much more. 

Taking care of yourself after your appointment
Whether you’re feeling any side effects or not, you want to take care of your body after your appointment! Use a warm compress on any sore spots, avoid caffeine and alcohol, eat nourishing foods, avoid screens for a while and aim for light exercise. Like any wellness plan, what you do in between treatments is just as important! 

In health and wellness, 
Julie