Most individuals do not achieve the desired results after only one Acupuncture session. However, some benefits can still be achieved from the very first session such as pain relief, relaxation and improved sleep. In this blog, we discuss how you can tell that Acupuncture is working for you and the many benefits.
So how do you know if Acupuncture is working? Signs that Acupuncture is working vary from person to person, however common ones include feeling drowsy after a session, feeling relaxed and tingling throughout the body. It can take several sessions to achieve the desired results, though there are some benefits which can occur sooner.
Read on to find out more about the expected results and benefits of Acupuncture and how to tell if it’s working for you.
What Are the Expected Results of Acupuncture?
When you attend your first Acupuncture session, don’t be surprised if you don’t feel your desired effect straight away. In fact, it is often reported that people feel worse after their first few sessions. However, this is not necessarily a negative outcome. Worsened symptoms can simply mean that the body is responding and adapting to the treatment.
The results you want to achieve through Acupuncture can vary dramatically depending on your symptoms, condition or any other contributing factor. For example, if you suffer from chronic pain, pain relief would be the most obvious desired result. However, Acupuncture also provides plenty of relief in other areas. The other benefits include:
- Improved sleep
- Improved mental health
- Improved circulation
- Reduced neck and shoulder pain
- A large range of other medical conditions and symptoms
Some patients don’t feel anything after the treatment, which could mean that the correct acupoints haven’t been found yet. Different people have varied results, with experimentation common to find the right method to yield the best results for each individual.
What Are the Sensations During and After Acupuncture?
Some common sensations you may experience during and after Acupuncture include:
Sense of Calm
Having a ‘fuzzy head’ after an Acupuncture session, often brings a sense of calm that significantly decreases stress and anxiety. This commonly presents itself in one of two ways, extreme tiredness or leaving the session feeling refreshed and well rested.
Tingling
During or after the session, you may feel ‘phantom’ needles or tingling sensations across your skin, particularly near the acupoints. Sometimes other areas of the body may experience tingling due to being connected to meridians throughout the body.
Twitching
As new parts of the body are stimulated during Acupuncture sessions, you are likely to experience muscle twitching. This can be uncomfortable for a few moments, however this will help to release tension, thus relaxing your body.
Releasing Emotion
Acupuncture pushes your body to release tension, stress and anxiety. This can also trigger a release of emotions during or after a session. This is nothing to be embarrassed about - lean in to the natural emotional release to fully benefit from your sessions if it feels necessary.
When Should you Feel Better After Acupuncture?
The expected timeline for feeling the effects of Acupuncture once again varies with different conditions and symptoms. The aches and pains should subside after 24 hours with proper rest. Some people also experience extreme exhaustion after sessions, so plan time to rest and sleep afterwards.
Most people will feel some benefit from the first few sessions such as relaxation, less stress and improved sleep. However, some individuals don’t feel the full positive effects of Acupuncture until they have attended several weeks or even months of treatment. We have an in depth blog which details how often you need Acupuncture for it to work.
Your Acupuncture specialist should be able to create a tailored plan along with your healthcare provider for your specific needs. This should hopefully give you an idea of how long it will take to recover from your injury or improve your condition. They will also keep track of your progress throughout the plan and make adjustments where necessary.
Final Thoughts
Acupuncture is an effective treatment for many different conditions and symptoms. Some individuals receive the desired effect immediately while others take a few sessions to feel the benefits. It is also very common to feel worse after an Acupuncture session. If you are concerned about any side effects after a session, contact your healthcare professional.
Breeze Academy offers a variety of Acupuncture and dry needling courses for healthcare professionals. Our courses are available throughout the UK. If you are looking to level up your practice for your patients, view our Acupuncture and dry needling courses here.