Frequently Asked Questions About Forbes Healing

There is nothing that you need to do to prepare for your first treatment, but here are some tips to maximize the full benefit of acupuncture. Eat a light meal about 2 hours before your session and drink plenty of water.
It can be helpful to wear loose and comfortable clothing. Avoiding caffeine and alcohol at least 12 hours before your treatment will help give you the best benefits. Do your best to relax and arrive on time so as not to raise your heart rate with unnecessary stress. Finally, be ready to discuss your medical history with your practitioner.

Many people are concerned that inserting the needles will hurt, and that’s understandable. The good news is most patients report little to no discomfort when the needles are inserted or removed! You may feel a dull ache when the needle reaches the final position in the acupuncture point.

Your first appointment includes a consultation to fully understand your health history and will be 80 minutes long. Sessions after the initial appointment are 60 minutes long.

Every person and their treatment is individual. Your treatment plan will depend on what condition is being treated, the severity, and how you respond to the treatments. We will come up with a plan for treatment
after the initial assessment and adjust if necessary throughout the course of treatment. Most recommended treatments are once a week anywhere from 6-10 sessions.

After your appointment, allow yourself to rest. It is essential to drink plenty of water to help flush out toxins and to eat healthy. Don’t be surprised if you are feeling more emotional after your session. Wait until the next day before doing any exercise.

A typical treatment uses 5 to 20 needles. The needles are inserted to points in the skin that produce a sensation of pressure or ache. The needles will be gently moved or twirled after placement. Ensuring the highest standards of hygiene, needles are sterilized in order to prevent infection and are only used once. Needles are typically removed after 20 to 30 minutes. Some feel relaxed after treatment, while others feel energized.

This depends on what is being treated and the severity. Something such as a stiff neck from sleeping wrong might be treated in 1-2 sessions, but back pain that has been plaguing you for ten years is going to take longer to work through.

Many people feel a sort of emotional release after treatment. It is also common to experience frequent urination, which is the body’s way to release toxins. Any minor soreness that you experience should dissipate within 24 hours.

Acupuncture is generally considered safe for most pregnancies. Complications are rare and any mild complications, such as swelling at the needle insertion point, are not long-lasting. There are acupuncture points that can lead to labor that do need to be avoided. It is also important to discuss your health history with your practitioner and your doctor before beginning treatment.

Your health and safety are our top priority. Acupuncture is always performed with sterile, one-use needles. You never need to worry about hygiene in regards to acupuncture.

Here is a list of some things that acupuncture can treat according to
the WHO:
low back pain
neck pain
sciatica
tennis elbow
knee pain
periarthritis of the shoulder
sprains
facial pain (including craniomandibular disorders)
headache
dental pain
tempromandibular (TMJ) dysfunction
rheumatoid arthritis
induction of labor
correction of malposition of fetus (breech presentation)
morning sickness
nausea and vomiting
Stroke
Upper Respiratory System
Respiratory System
Eye Disorders
Mouth Disorders
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Neurologic and Musculoskeletal Disorders
Reproductive & Gynecological Conditions
Mental Emotional Problems

The World Health Organization Interregional Seminar compiled the above list that may benefit from acupuncture treatment. The list is only a partial list and is based on clinical experience and not necessarily on controlled clinical research. It is important to note that all conditions may vary in severity and response so the efficacy of acupuncture may also vary.

Although the risks of acupuncture are low for most people, there are some that should be more cautious. Those that have a pacemaker, acupuncture with electrical stimulation could interfere with the pacemaker. Those with a bleeding disorder run the risk of bleeding or bruising more easily from the needles. Let your acupuncturist know and they will adjust the treatment to your needs and conditions.

There is no age restriction when it comes to acupuncture. Some parents even seek out acupuncture for their infants. The style of acupuncture for children will differ from that of adults. For infants and young children,
various metal tools may be used during treatment to gently apply pressure over acupuncture points or to tap or stroke along the acupuncture meridians on the body. For older children, gentle cupping or traditional acupuncture may be used if necessary and if the child is ready.

Although cupping is generally considered safe, there are some conditions that don’t allow everyone to receive treatment. It is not recommended for people with liver, kidney, or heart failure or those with a pacemaker. It also can’t be used if you have hemophilia, anemia, or similar blood disorders, heart disease, or are on blood thinners. If pregnant, it has been advised to avoid cupping to the abdomen and lower back. If there is suspicion of an infection or an open wound, cupping shouldn’t be performed.