Infrequent But Possible Side Effects of Acupuncture. In my experience, the following seven side effects can occur after acupuncture.
While most people notice a marked improvement in their symptoms following acupuncture, some feel worse before they start feeling better. In natural medicine circles, this is sometimes referred to as a healing crisis. The idea is that as your body starts undergoing the changes involved in moving toward health, things get stirred up. This can cause not only an exacerbation of current symptoms but also the recurrence of previous ailments that had been dormant.
Acupuncture awakens your self-healing capabilities. With that can come an onslaught of bodily awareness. This usually is a positive experience but it also can mean heightened sensitivity or intolerance for things that previously felt normal. An example of this is someone who unconsciously adapts to stress by tightening and hunching up his shoulders. After an acupuncture treatment, once this person's bodily felt sense has been woken up, his mild upper back and neck tension might start screaming. The good news about this side effect is that it's a sign that things are moving. In the case of acupuncture, this means that the primary objective is being met. That is, you are starting to transition on multiple levels from stuck to unstuck.
Fatigue : People can feel wiped out after acupuncture. A more common result is increased energy, but sometimes the "acu land" effect hangs on a little longer. This is your body telling you that it's depleted. Feeling fatigued after acupuncture is not cause for concern, but it is a warning sign that you need to rest.
If you have this experience, take it easy for the remainder of the day. Take a bath that night. Go to bed early. Come morning, the combination of acupuncture and rest will leave you feeling born again.
Soreness : Body parts where acupuncture needles get inserted can feel sore after the needles are removed. I've found that this most commonly occurs with points in the hands and feet, especially Large Intestine 4 , an acupuncture point located between the thumb and index finger. You also may experience muscle soreness away from the needling site if a trigger or ashi point was released during your treatment. Soreness from acupuncture typically dissipates within 24 hours. However, big trigger point releases can cause residual soreness that lasts a few days. Most acupuncturists will warn you about this before you leave your appointment.
Bruising : Although less common than soreness, bruising can occur at the needling site. Sometimes bruising is the result of a hematoma, a localized collection of blood that gets initiated when the needle punctures the skin. Bruises, unfortunately, usually last longer than soreness from an acupuncture needle. Still, they generally are not anything to worry about beyond the aesthetic inconvenience. It is unknown why some people bruise from acupuncture. I have a few patients who, no matter what I try in terms of needle brand, size, or technique, bruise every time. (Again, I often see it happen at Large Intestine 4.) Others -- the majority -- never experience bruising anywhere.
Muscle Twitching : Every time I get acupuncture, no matter where the needles are placed, my right quadricep muscle twitches like crazy. Don't ask me why. People may experience involuntary muscle twitching during or after acupuncture. I've seen this occur in muscles that receive acupuncture needles and, as in my case, on seemingly random parts of the body that are far away from any needles. Muscle twitching is different from full-on muscle spasms. If during or after an acupuncture treatment you feel that one of your muscles is acutely spasming, especially if it's a muscle that was just needled, tell your acupuncturist. He or she might be able to release it before you go on your merry way.
Lightheadedness : This is pretty rare, but it can happen -- and on very rare occasions, post-acupuncture lightheadedness can result in fainting. Getting up quickly from the acupuncture table can cause lightheadedness, as can coming for acupuncture on an empty stomach. Remember that eating is one of the key things to remember before an acupuncture appointment.
When your acupuncture session is over, take your time getting up and moving gently as you gather your things to leave. If you find yourself feeling lightheaded after the treatment, sit in your acupuncturist's waiting room for a few minutes and take some deep breaths. Acupuncture can be a physically and emotionally intense experience, and sometimes our bodies are not fully recovered at exactly the moment our hour is up. It is okay if you need a little extra time.
Emotional Release : Sometimes people cry during acupuncture. Not because they're in pain, but because their emotions, which can get stifled while powering through life, become free-flowing. The emotional release that can happen in acupuncture usually is a positive experience, but it can be surprising, especially for people who tend to be more emotionally stoical. Feeling extra sensitive or tear-prone in an acupuncture session, or in the days that follow, is completely normal. It's also a sign that the acupuncture is working. Even if you're seeking acupuncture for a physical ailment, increased emotional expression is an indication that healing is happening. From an acupuncture perspective, physical and emotional health are interconnected, so emotional shifts suggest forthcoming physical changes as well.
While these side effects are rarely cause for concern, you know your body best. If any of the above side effects feel like they're too severe or lasting too long -- or if you notice any additional negative reactions to an acupuncture treatment -- you should contact your acupuncturist.
Feeling Giddiness : Few patients may feel lightheadedness or giddiness or perspiration during acupuncture treatment. Some may feel lightheadedness while getting up from the table after treatment. That is because cardiovascular dynamics adjust to a change of position. I advise my patients to wait for some time in a waiting room and see me before they go. Waiting generally resolves the issue.
Soreness : After Acupuncture treatment, you may feel soreness at the point of needle insertion. The effect vanishes in a few minutes or may last a day. It also signs that the needle was in the right place.
Aggravation : Every individual responds differently to acupuncture stimulation. Some patients who form groups of about 85- 90 percent are good responders where as 10 to 12 percent just don't respond at all; whereas few will respond too much aggravating the original ailment. Such aggravation eventually subsides and patients get relief. It is for this reason; I start with minimal stimulation with needles and increase its strength in the next session.
Bleeding : Bleeding in some patients on acupuncture treatment is a rare and minor incidence. Bruising may also be seen in bleeding under the skin. If you give little pressure on the site of the bleeding for 5 minutes, the bleeding stops. You do not need to do for such incidents.
Muscle Twitching : Acupuncture is the stimulation of a particular point or area. This stimulation is not restricted to the point of insertion of a needle. It radiates in all directions. Therefore muscle twitching is a common and harmless side effect of Acupuncture. Muscle twitching is seen more commonly in electro- acupuncture which is again normal.
Emotional Swarming : After Acupuncture treatment, one may be emotionally charged and may feel euphoric or cry for some time. It may not be due to the relief of chronic pain. This is a momentary phenomenon and subsides soon. It proves the effectiveness of acupuncture that physical and emotional status is interconnected.
Fatigue : : Feeling drained on the day of acupuncture treatment is also not uncommon, all one needs is some rest or sleep. This signifies the relation between acupuncture treatment and the release of Chi
There is no complication of acupuncture unless done very carelessly by untrained persons not knowing the basic anatomy of the human body. In such a rare situation
Pneumo-thorax due puncture of the lung can be a serious issue and will need immediate emergency medical help. Damage to major blood vessels or nerves can be one very rare complication.Studies from various sources have confirmed that acupuncture is safe as reported by
CONCLUSION
"Acupuncture has adverse effects, like any therapeutic approach. If it is used according to established safety rules and carefully at appropriate anatomic regions, it is a safe treatment method."
Advantages of Acupuncture in Medical Practice
Acupuncture treatment is very versatile and can fit at any stage of a given disease, in the hands of a qualified physician who has allopathic medical education. He can use it in the precondition of disease or in the initial stage of disease exclusively, to treat the problem. He can also use it in later stages of diseases like malignancy as palliative therapy. He has the option to use the benefit of acupuncture treatments along with allopathic treatment to accentuate the response to treatment.
Sometimes acupuncture therapy is also demanded in an initial state, before conventional methods, like the pain of sciatica. It is also demanded after conventional methods have exhausted their scope like pain despite surgery for sciatica. It acts best when taken in the initial stage of disease like pain frozen shoulder. Pre-morbid state of diseases responds best to acupuncture. You can explore modern acupuncture benefits, as well as get tips for finding the best acupressure doctor or acupuncture wellness center in your area on the net. In addition to traditional acupuncture techniques, many acupuncture centers now offer other forms of complementary therapy, such as acupuncture physiotherapy.
When you are having acupuncture treatment for a certain disease, you may be surprised with or experience additional beneficial health effects as stated below.
Less Pain : When getting treatment for any disease you perceive less pain because acupuncture initiates the release of neurotransmitters, and analgesics, like opioids, serotonin, and oxytocin.
Quality Sleep : During treatment, you may experience refreshing sleep because of the action of the limbic system resulting in relaxation.
Stronger Immune System : Acupuncture stimulates the immune system and results in stronger immune status.
More Energy : You might experience more energy and a sense of well-being because of the reaction of the limbic system to acupuncture
A Boost In Confidence : You can also feel self-confidence due to euphoria associated with the limbic system effect
More Patience : You will have more patience which is due to the calmness that acupuncture produces.
Better Digestion and Flatter Stomach : You might have better digestion and a falter abdomen due to the action of acupuncture on the digestive system.
Better Sex : Patients may see a sense of well-being results in better sex.
Less Stress :Stress is a reduced result of calmness as a result of the limbic system.
A More Youthful Appearance
There are more befits than risks
Use search engines: You can use search engines such as Google, Bing, or Yahoo and search for "Chinese acupuncture near me" or "acupuncture clinic near me." This will show you a list of acupuncture clinics or practitioners located near your current location.
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Use directories : There are directories of acupuncture clinics and practitioners that you can use to find a Chinese acupuncture practitioner near you.
Ask for recommendations : You can also ask your friends, family, or colleagues if they know of any good Chinese acupuncture practitioners in your area. They might be able to recommend a practitioner they have had a positive experience with.
Check professional organizations : You can check professional organizations such as the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) to find certified Chinese acupuncture practitioners in your area.
Remember to do your research and read reviews before choosing a practitioner. It's also a good idea to check their credentials and make sure they are licensed and certified to practice acupuncture in your state.
You can Google search engines and inquire around. Select one which is rated well by its past patients.
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