As an acupuncture professional, you might occasionally have clients ask you about aftercare; what they should and shouldn’t do, or what they should and shouldn’t eat after their session to maximise the benefits of acupuncture. In this article, we go over everything you, and your clients, need to know about acupuncture aftercare.
Acupuncture clients should stick to healthy foods, ideally those rich in antioxidants, after a session to promote the elimination of toxins from the body. Avoid anything overly processed, fried, refined sugars, caffeine, and alcohol.
Read on to learn more about what clients should and should not eat after an acupuncture appointment to maximise their benefits.
Should You Eat Before or After Acupuncture?
Experts recommend that clients eat approximately two hours before their acupuncture session. However, this shouldn’t be a big meal as that could cause discomfort during the session. It is also recommended that clients avoid unhealthy, overly processed foods prior to their session, as well as coffee as this can activate the body’s fight or flight response. Never advise patients to arrive on an empty stomach; this may cause them to feel lightheaded, which could be dangerous post-session. If your client feels lightheaded after their session, advise them to sit in the waiting room for a while, or have someone pick them up; ensure that they don’t drive in this situation.
Aftercare advice following acupuncture should include limitation of caffeine as it is thought that caffeine may interfere with the analgesic effects of acupuncture. Some sources advise that clients eat healthy foods to help promote the elimination of toxins from the body, however there is currently little research evidence to support this advice. It is also recommended to stay hydrated and avoid alcohol intake following a session but again this issue hasn’t been extensively addressed in research studies but follows the general advice given following a variety of manual techniques.
What Should You Not Do After Acupuncture?
Like with food and drink, there are a variety of activities that your clients may wish to avoid after their session, but these are custom and practice rather than evidence-based recommendations.
Avoid TV and Other Screens
Avoiding TV and other screens may elongate the relaxing benefits of acupuncture for much longer and can promote good sleep. It might be useful to recommend that your clients, instead, read a physical book, listen to soothing music, or do something else which doesn’t involve screens.
Acupuncture Courses at Breeze Academy
At Breeze Academy, we ensure that students leave with the knowledge and confidence to safely practice acupuncture, including having the knowledge to answer client questions such as What Food Should You Eat After Acupuncture?.
Check out our range of Foundation and Advanced Acupuncture Courses now. We also offer more specialist acupuncture courses for Nurses, Midwives, Dentists, Physiotherapists, and other healthcare professionals.
