As an acupuncture practitioner, you should have a bank of knowledge about acupuncture aftercare so that when your clients ask questions, about what to do next, subsequent appointments, when they will start to feel the benefits, etc., you have the answers they need. But, do you have the answers?
So, what should clients avoid after acupuncture? Clients should avoid strenuous exercise, caffeine, junk food, alcohol, cold temperatures, digital screens, and, where possible, stressful situations. What’s more, if clients leave their appointment feeling lightheaded or dizzy, they should avoid driving until they feel better.
Read on to learn more about what clients should and shouldn’t do after an acupuncture appointment, both for safety reasons, and to maximise their results.
What Should Clients Avoid After Acupuncture?
There are a variety of activities that clients should avoid for a short period of time after an acupuncture appointment. In some cases, this may be for safety reasons, but it may also be to maximise the potential benefits of acupuncture.
Avoid Stressful Situations
Again, acupuncture is a relaxation-boosting treatment for most clients, and the last thing they need is to return to a stressful situation. Where possible, it might be advisable to recommend that clients book their appointments at a time where they do not have to return to work. It may also be beneficial that they avoid watching TV immediately after acupuncture, and instead read a book, listen to music, or work on a hobby.
Avoid Cold Temperatures
After acupuncture, your body needs warmth to keep things flowing, and to open up blocked energy channels. Where possible, it’s best if clients avoid cold temperatures, and refrain from using ice for pain relief.
Avoid Digital Screens
Back on the topic of relaxation, TV and other digital screens stop the body from winding down and relaxing. Allowing the body to rest and relax will help to elongate the benefits of acupuncture, as well as promote good sleep. On the night after your client’s acupuncture session, advise them to opt to read a physical book, listen to a podcast or some music, rather than winding down with their favourite TV show.
Don’t Drive if Lightheaded
On a safety note, it is imperative that you gauge how well your client feels after their session. Some clients report feeling lightheaded after acupuncture, in which case it’s important to recognise this and stop them from driving until they feel better, or have them get someone to pick them up.
Learn more about what your clients shouldn’t be doing before their acupuncture treatments, and how certain activities can impact their results in our recent blog What Should Clients Not Do Before Acupuncture?
What Should Clients Eat After Acupuncture?
As well as avoiding certain activities, you should also make your clients aware of the food and drink that could impact their outcome.
What Clients Should Eat After Acupuncture
In order to maximise their potential benefits, clients should eat healthy, non-processed foods that are rich in vitamins and antioxidants. These include:
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Cranberries
- Turmeric
- Pecans
- Artichoke
- Kale
- Spinach
- Ginger
- Kidney Beans
- Herbs such as Thyme, Basil, and Oregano
- Peppers
- Tomato
- Broccoli
- Green Tea
What Clients Should Not Eat After Acupuncture
In order to maximise the benefits of acupuncture, your clients should avoid overly processed foods, as well as:
- Junk food and fast food in general
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Refined sugars
Learn more about the foods that client’s should and should not be eating after acupuncture, and how these foods can affect treatment outcomes in our recent blog What Food Should You Eat After Acupuncture?
Should Clients Rest After Acupuncture?
Whilst they don’t have to sleep for days, or be confined to bed rest, clients should take it easy for a few days after acupuncture in order to maximise their potential benefits and to enjoy the relaxation that acupuncture offers. What’s more, the rest helps to restore clients’ physical and emotional wellbeing.
What Clients SHOULD Do After Acupuncture
We’ve already touched on a few of these, but here are the things that your clients should be doing after acupuncture:
- Rest
- Keep warm and use heat for pain relief where necessary
- Consider other interventions to maximise outcomes
- Take it easy and avoid strenuous exercise
- Eat well and drink plenty of water
- Be aware of their received benefits, side effects, and general experience as this feedback may be useful to you as their practitioner
Acupuncture Courses at Breeze Academy
At Breeze Academy, we make sure that our students leave their courses with the knowledge and confidence to safely practice acupuncture, including having the knowledge to answer potential client questions. 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.