What Am I Supposed To Do During Acupuncture?
A lot of first-timers will ask this question!
You’ve arrived at your first acupuncture visit. You’ve settled into the space. You have discussed thoroughly with your acupuncturist your health history and your current complaint in detail. Your acupuncturist has explained the process and has applied all the needles, in all the right places and now you’re just laying there? What are you supposed to do?
The answer is NOTHING!
During this time, it is a great opportunity for you to become more in tune with yourself. Notice things or notice nothing at all. The first few times with acupuncture you might just be getting yourself acquainted with a new process and are not able to settle in completely. It is ok to just lay there and relax as you wait. After a few sessions people often get more comfortable with it [acupuncture] enough to let go. This can become the best time for you to get deep rest, sort out emotions, dream creatively and find new inspiration.
Sometimes the very act of noticing all the shifts in qi and blood circulation during treatment is what teaches you to be more sensitive and to be more in tune with yourself. This in itself is part of the process of healing —understanding yourself better.
When our body is out of balance it sends us signals. You can notice signs like being tired despite getting enough sleep, soreness, digestive gas, bloating, a headache, more thirsty than usual, waking up several times throughout the night. These are all signs that we maybe used to ignoring, but what if we started paying more attention to what our body is telling us?
Receiving acupuncture is a great way to let your body practice its healing process. Showing up regularly is letting yourself and your body have a healing practice.
5 Things To Do During Acupuncture
Do a body scan. As you lay down you can bring your attention to each body part and let each area relax and soften.
Meditate. There are a lot of meditations you can do while laying down. You can also play one on your phone if you like.
Listen to relaxing music. I always have relaxing music playing but you can also play your own music too. This is your time.
Just notice how you feel. One of my favorite things to do during acupuncture is just feel all the sensations that are happening from the acupuncture. If you don’t feel or notice anything, its ok to notice nothing!
Take a nap. This might be harder to do on your first time but many of my regular patients come in for rest. Some fall asleep easily while others just close their eyes and rest, drifting in and out of sleep/rest states.
Written by Dr. Emily Siy, DACM 1/8/24
Photos by Chanel Matsunami Govreau, Model Kajuan Douglas
Use the code ‘BLOG’ to receive $25 off an Initial Acupuncture visit or Follow up acupuncture visit
You might also be interested in reading What Are The Sensations I’m Feeling During Acupuncture?, Do’s and Don’ts of Getting Acupuncture, Does Acupuncture Hurt?