How to Prepare for an Acupuncture Appointment

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical practice that originated thousands of years ago. It consists of inserting very small, thin needles at various strategic points of the body to help relieve pain. Studies suggest that acupuncture helps relieve chronic pain such as lower back pain, neck pain, and knee pain. Patients who have never received acupuncture treatment and don’t know what to expect can take a few preparatory steps to get themselves ready for their first appointment.

Watch Your Dietary Intake 

It is recommended by most experts that people eat at least two hours before their acupuncture appointment. Going to an appointment on an empty stomach can lead to lightheadedness or even fainting spells. It’s also a good idea to avoid coffee before an appointment. Acupuncture typically works better when the recipient is relaxed, and too much caffeine will make it hard to sit still through the procedure.

Bring a List of Current Medications

While acupuncture itself is a physical process that doesn’t directly interact with ingested medications, it’s still a wise precaution for people to have a list of all current medication they’re taking. Some acupuncture treatment is combined with Chinese herbal medicine, which can, in rare instances, have interactions with drugs like MAOIs or blood-thinning medication. 

Set Aside Extra Time

As mentioned above, acupuncture tends to work best when the patient is relaxed and comfortable during the process. A heavy schedule before or after an appointment can lead to too much stress during the appointment itself. Rather than worrying about making it to the next item on their schedule or fretting over the meeting they just came from, patients should leave plenty of time on either end of the appointment as a buffer against the demands of their day.

At Jimenez Chiropractic Med-Spa, we provide a range of procedures, including acupuncture, designed to optimize patient health and wellness. Acupuncture can be used as part of our chiropractic practice to help deal with chronic back pain, or it can be used to help treat other issues. Our staff of highly trained and certified professionals is here to help you feel better. Schedule your appointment today.