Justin Y. Shin

It is absolutely normal for your body to feel lethargic after receiving acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture relaxes your parasympathetic (rest & digest) nervous system during the treatment.
A lot of endorphins and enkephalins are released to provide pain relief as well.
Definitely make sure you ate a meal before treatment, and a glass of room-temp water after treatment can make you feeling like yourself but better!

This is very rare. Only an acupuncturist that has failed the Clean Needle Technique courses by CCAOM (CNT) may be a risk of you catching an infection. All needles are sterile. The only way you may catch an infection is if the needle is re-used (ILLEGAL), or if it fell on the ground and used again for treatment.

Again this is a very rare situation.

Many patients are on blood thinners and are hemophiliacs. It is definitely a risk of bleeding. As tiny as the needles may be in terms of gauge, there will always be a risk when the patient has hemophilia. Clotting is an important body function to have especially when receiving any needle penetration into the skin.
It is important to let your acupuncturist know that you have hemophilia so that when they pull the needles out, they can apply a cotton ball on until the bleeding stops. Perhaps even use less needles as well.

On average an acupuncturist would like to have a new patient intake be about 1.5-2 hours. This is because the acupuncturist would probably want to have a firm understanding of your entire health history. Along with a review of system and physical exam.
Returning patient treatments can last about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

In terms of how long Acupuncture needles are left in the body, on average it is left for 20min to 45min. This differs from each acupuncturist.

Does your rash itch or does it just have slight redness? If you have an itch, you may be allergic to the needle used. Ask the acupuncturist to perhaps use silicon coated needles (swirling needles).
However, if there is just slight redness on the location where the needles were inserted, this is a normal response. Actually, a preferred response. That is showing the acupuncturist that your body is reacting to the treatment!
If there are any pus, weird rash shapes, or any dark discoloration, contact your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room.

Acupuncture can absolutely manage high blood pressure. It is important that you first receive a consult and treatment option from your primary care provider. Also, make sure your doctor gives you the "ok" to receive acupuncture with the high blood pressure that you have.
If you have not seen your doctor, the acupuncturist may refuse to treat until the high blood pressure has been addressed by a medical doctor.

Once you have seen your medical doctor. Acupuncture has been prescribed by plenty of medical doctors to help manage high blood pressure (hypertension)!

The theory behind acupuncture is to 'promote circulation'. Because of this very reason, acupuncture will almost always promote blood circulation in your body. Cold hands/feet? Cold limbs? Cold core temp? Too hot somewhere?
No problem. Acupuncture is an excellent therapy to promote circulation all throughout your body whether you feel hot OR cold.

Acupuncture is excellent for chronic constipation. The theory behind acupuncture is to promote circulation, whether it's the blood, stuck food, mucus, or fluid (edema). The acupuncturist would probably use points along the abdomen and legs for constipation.
Another great modality to add to the acupuncture is an abdominal massage (Chi Nei Tsang) which I am also trained in.
Additionally, electric stimulation with acupuncture along the abdomen will almost always allow a bowel movement because the electric stimulation are artificially causing your intestines to push.

Acupuncture is probably the best alternative therapy to opioids. I will leave references of some research papers below this answer.

The joint commission has stated in 2018 that all accredited hospitals in the USA (about 85% of hospitals in the country) must have a non-pharmacological option for pain for patients. This includes acupuncture. Hospitals, clinics, specifically pain clinics and even physical therapy are utilizing the practice of acupuncture to help relieve pain!
Pre-op or Post-op, acupuncture is an excellent treatment therapy for helping one relax before a surgery, and also manage their pain post-surgically. Acupuncture also helps with any inflammation that may occur post-surgically.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/27475042/?fbclid=IwAR3MMpe7Pg_wj5k-Dvu1Elhqy_aPliOB3iU4gUPtYC9zf9vVbCBixraTjRw
[Acupuncture v. Intravenous Morphine in the Management of Pain in the ED]

Acupuncture has been shown in research to release endorphins for pain relief. However, acupuncture has been shown to react with the center of the brain for relaxation. While receiving acupuncture, the body goes and activates the parasympathetic system. This system is responsible for what is known as "Rest and Digest".
Acupuncture also has a very high influence on the vagus nerve (CN 10) which will also allow the body to enter a 'lethargic' state.
So to answer your question, yes it is absolutely normal (and not a bad thing) for your body to feel tired after the treatment.

This is why it is important to not engage in any physical activity or mentally draining though processes after a treatment. As stress relieving acupuncture may be, it is best to just go home and rest after your treatment and begin the next day feeling great!

Acupuncture will NOT always make you feel lethargic. It depends on how long the treatment is, which points were selected, and the setting of the treatment. All of these factors play a role on how lethargic one may be post-treatment. Please keep this in mind and let your acupuncturist know if this may bother you!

I have specifically focused my doctoral studies on neuropathy. The reason is because there is a high-demand for helping patients with neuropathy, because pharmaceutical medication just doesn't work!
It may take months, or maybe even a year of receiving treatment 2x a week. However, acupuncture can manage neuropathy throughout the week. Eventually, with enough treatments, I have heard of some patients completely curing their neuropathy through acupuncture.
This also includes other conditions such as: plantar fasciitis, chemotherapy neuropathy, and tingling along the extremities.

It is important to know that acupuncture alone cannot provide weight loss. Acupuncture can be used together to help SPEED UP weight loss, however, you cannot eat the same diet you always do and expect to lose weight.
Now, let's say you do eat healthy, however being on the heavier side is more of a genetic reason...This does not make a difference.
Acupuncture, together with a healthy balanced diet, along with herbal formulas can help drain all the fat out of the body.

How long? Receiving acupuncture for about 2x a week, maintaining a balanced and healthy diet with an herbal formula will help you lose weight. You will start seeing weight loss within 2 weeks! The more you consistently continue, the more weight you may lose! Stay strong, and have strong confidence that you can do it!

It is true that the chance of have a miscarriage is highest during the 1st trimester. It is definitely important to be very cautious of what you choose to do to your body during this time, I completely understand.
Acupuncture IS SAFE TO RECEIVE DURING THE FIRST TRIMESTER.

But (there's always a but)... it is important to let your acupuncturist know that you MAY BE pregnant. It is also important to let your acupuncturist know when you are pregnant. Acupuncture is very safe, and it is important that you know there are acupuncture points contraindicated during pregnancy.
It is important that your acupuncturist is aware of these points and you can easily google "acupuncture points contraindicated for pregnancy" to educate yourself as well!
There are also many herbal formulas contraindicated for pregnancy. However, please understand that not all herbal formulas are bad for you while pregnant. Because most herbal products are in fact....food!

I have been on rounds at Highland Hospital in Oakland, CA for Cardiology. The reason why your doctor had recommended you for acupuncture may be for a couple of reasons!
It can be very stressful knowing that you may develop a cardiovascular condition. Acupuncture is a great therapy for lowering stress and managing cortisol levels in your body. Cortisol can cause multiple problems in the body if the body keeps becoming exposed to Cortisol.
Secondly, acupuncture is excellent for lowering blood pressure. Cardiologists are MOST concerned about high blood pressure. Acupuncture can keep your blood pressure at a normal level to help prevent your risks of cardiovascular disease.
Lastly, acupuncture is not only good for lowering your blood pressure, but it is great for maintaining a good heart rhythm! When one's stress decreases, and the blood pressure decreases, and they enter a lethargic state of mind, the heart rate will also stay at a comfortable level. This is important for maintaining balance in one's body to prevent risk of any cardiovascular condition!

Always stay in touch with your cardiologist and ask your acupuncturist to send updates to your cardiologist while obtaining acupuncture treatments! I'm sure your doctor would love to hear about how you are doing following his recommendation on receiving acupuncture!

The muscle can spasm from a couple of reasons. Either you are not hydrating enough, not stretching enough, or does not have enough blood circulation to help nourish the muscles.
Acupuncture in theory is excellent for promoting circulation. When the leg spasms, acupuncture is great at curing this annoying symptom.
What acupuncture is doing, is its allowing blood to flow to all areas of the body. This circulation will help provide the muscles with natural substances to help alleviate spasms. The acupuncturist may also place needles on other regions of the body. The reason for this is because to ensure circulation throughout the body, there are points that work in harmony, like siblings, to help bring maximum effect!
Cupping is also another excellent adjunctive therapy to acupuncture to help completely relieve any spasms.
After you receive treatment, it is important to stay hydrated and consume nutrition with plenty of potassium!

If the spasm persists for longer than a week to 2 weeks, please go see your doctor for further evaluation.

This is a huge mistake! No acupuncturist should ever use the same needle that penetrated the skin again. Once a needle is used it must be disposed of properly in a sharps container. If this is witnessed, report this to your state’s acupuncture board immediately.

It really depends on the acupuncturist. Some prefer the classical points along the arms and legs and perhaps the abdomen. Maybe even in the ears. However, every acupuncturist will select a different set of points to treat fertility. There is nothing to worry about!

Acupuncture is an excellent therapy for LOWERING blood pressure. The only reason I can think of that may cause your friend’s BP to rise after treatment is because she was nervous. Or maybe she did not have a comfortable treatment, something must’ve been bothering her. Acupuncture almost always lowers ones blood pressure to a healthy and normal state.

Qi has been directly translated in the English language as “energy”, this may not be an accurate translation. The Chinese symbol for Qi actually represents 2 parts: Rice (sugar) and Air/vapor. So essentially Qi is the product of the food you eat and the air you breathe. In acupuncture, just like how western med uses EKG, we feel your pulse to diagnose which is based off of “Qi”. Some argue Qi could be the electrical force powering your heart and brain.

I usually tell my patients with chronic lower back pain that they will begin feeling consistent pain relief going 2x a week for about 3-4 weeks. Of course you will get slight if not major relief after a treatment, but to maintain the effects I would recommend 2x a week. I hope this helps and best of luck towards your recovery!