Acupuncture

[star99]

Had a lovely acupuncture treatment today with a lovely lady, not the lady I went to before, I was chatting away and 'boom', it was like getting an anasthetic, I went into a deep state of relaxation. It has been over 12 months since my last treatment but it was nowhere as relaxing as this one.I have been nice and relaxed all day, Im just wondering if the possible healing crisis that may occur may be similar to that of Reflexology etc and is it possible that tomorrow I may have some reactions, that is if they were to occur? what Im trying to say is are there possible delayed reactions with acupuncture as with other therapies?

[star99]

well, to answer my own question, I have had lots of digestive problems today and this was one of the things my acupunturist picked up on and I have been very down today and no energy, whether thats related or not Im not sure

[David- Maldon]

Hi Star

From my experience as a practitioner, it's unusual to develop the kind of symptoms you mentioned after a treatment. It may be that you are a "strong responder", in which case a more gentle treatment might be appropriate.

Interestingly, there are people that suffer from thing like IBS and migraines that only appear, or temporarily get worse, once stress and pressure is relieved, typically on the weekend after a stressful week, or on holiday. It could be that the relaxation you experienced was a trigger for a deeper response. It may well be you're more stressed than you thought? Anyway, talk it through with your therapist, and do try not to be put off.

[star99]

Thanks David, can I just ask if benefits can also be delayed as today I feel super, energy back up etc.I suppose I am comparing acupuncture to Reflexology etc.I am going to do 12 weekly treatments,she said twice weekly was better what do you think?
Yes you are correct, I did not realise I was that stressed.

[David- Maldon]

Hi Star

In China, a normal course of treatment is once a day for 10 days, which is a bit impractical here. Twice weekly is a good substitute, but it depends on the main problem. For chronic or severe pain I normally treat twice a week where possible, whereas with "emotional" problems I treat weekly as people that are not experiencing pain are often more sensitive to the needles. Sometimes I start twice weekly and switch to once as the condition improves.

I'd say that if you see no real improvements in 6-8 treatments, you are unlikely to benefit from 12. I always review at 6 before going on; unlike some chiropractors, I don't want patients to sign up for hundreds of pounds worth of treatment that might not be right for them.

[Tony]

Hi David, I've not come across that way of treating in China as the standard, twice or three times weekly was more normal or dependent on the condition but I have only worked in 2 hospitals in hangzhou and guangzhou - perhaps you have had a different experience?. I found the Chinese style of treatment quite medically orientated and focussed very much on the physical aspects of a condition, I think that Western patients perhaps benefit more from a more holistic and gentle approach which may be why 5-element acupuncture is popular in the UK?

Tony