What will they do to me? What will I feel? Many questions arise before a new treatment. Much of the fear of new things is due to unfamiliarity with them.
It is not uncommon for patients, when sitting down to talk to me on the first day, to warn me “it’s the first time”. I always reply that it’s okay, that there is always a first time for everything: for antibiotics, for colonoscopy… for everything.
The previous information helps a lot to not get carried away by mental movies about any situation that our mind provides us with great ease, so I will make a small explanation of what will happen in a visit type of Acupuncture and why it is not necessary to worry nor is it necessary to have faith.
What process is followed in an Acupuncture session?
In an acupuncture session, as in any medical visit, certain guidelines are followed:
- We will start by taking a traditional medical history, to know what problem brings them to the consultation, what diseases they have had and data from their life in general that can help us in order to focus the treatment. The family, work, social, etc. characteristics of each patient are important, since everything will influence our health.
- Then we make an interrogation aimed at knowing characteristics that will guide us in the face of acupuncture treatment.
- Then we explore the patient on a stretcher.
- The treatment is carried out lying comfortably on a stretcher: small and painless needles are placed in the appropriate points according to diagnosis. They are made of stainless steel and, obviously, for single use only. The needles are left in place for 20 minutes, during which time there is a release of endorphins and a great relaxation and sense of well-being is produced. To obtain the desired effect it is not necessary any belief, nor any knowledge on the subject. Trusting the acupuncturist and asking questions is enough. The needles work by themselves.
- In some cases it may be necessary to apply moxibustion, electro-acupuncture, cupping…
- At the end of the session a treatment plan will be made according to the problem to be treated.
- The first sessions are usually one day per week.
Acupuncture treatments are fully compatible with any medication and complementary with other therapies.
We seek the integration of all therapies to help heal our patients. In some cases the treatment will be curative, in others it will diminish the symptoms and, in some cases, it will be palliative.
No side effects or collateral effects are to be expected. The treated person can continue his life with absolute normality. However, perhaps with a little more calm.