“Should I drink water after acupuncture?”

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“Should I drink water after acupuncture?”

I am a 30 year old male who will have an acupuncture treatment tomorrow. Should I drink water after acupuncture?

37 Answers

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**Catherine Rahm Coudray** Acupuncturist Laramie, Wy · Accepted Answer

Catherine Rahm Coudray Acupuncturist Laramie, Wy

Yes as usual

**Mr. Alfred Thieme** Acupuncturist Portland, OR · Accepted Answer

Mr. Alfred Thieme Acupuncturist Portland, OR

Yes of course. Drinking water throughout the day is always a great idea. Acupuncture treatments are no exception to this rule. :-)

**Ms. Ellen D. Leonard** Acupuncturist Grants Pass, OR · Accepted Answer

Ms. Ellen D. Leonard Acupuncturist Grants Pass, OR

Yes, drinking water after a treatment is a very good idea. In fact, you should be drinking half your body weight in ounces of water every day. So if you weight 140 lbs. you should be drinking 70 oz of water every day.

**Kaiti Wang** Acupuncturist Baytown, TX · Accepted Answer

Kaiti Wang Acupuncturist Baytown, TX

yes

**Mr. Anthony James Lorenzo** Acupuncturist · Accepted Answer

Mr. Anthony James Lorenzo Acupuncturist

You should always strive to stay adequately hydrated and definitely drink water when you are thirsty. You should also drink before acupuncture.

**Phavikone Sundara** Acupuncturist Kent, WA · Accepted Answer

Phavikone Sundara Acupuncturist Kent, WA

Why not?

**Mrs. Angela Kay Buckridge** Acupuncturist Seymour, TN · Accepted Answer

Mrs. Angela Kay Buckridge Acupuncturist Seymour, TN

You should definitely drink water after an acupuncture treatment.

Yours in Health,

Angie

**Dr. Hongjie Zhu** Acupuncturist Lake Mary, FL · Accepted Answer

Dr. Hongjie Zhu Acupuncturist Lake Mary, FL

Yes.

**Diana Abramachayeva** Acupuncturist Queens, NY · Accepted Answer

Diana Abramachayeva Acupuncturist Queens, NY

I see no reason why not.

**Qisheng Guan** Acupuncturist ventura, ca · Accepted Answer

Qisheng Guan Acupuncturist ventura, ca

Yes, if you feel like it. But not a necessary procedure.

**Dr. Sarah Faggert** Acupuncturist Mclean, VA · Accepted Answer

Yes, and before hand too! I like to encourage my patients to drink a little more water then they usually do for the following 24 hours after a treatment. The acupuncture treatment gets the body processes going. Consuming water will help flush any inflammation that has been loosened as well as get oxygen, repair cells and hormones to the areas that need it! Also, even though you have been lying on the table, your body has been working! Refresh it!

**Yolanda Seliga** Acupuncturist Park Ridge, IL · Accepted Answer

Yolanda Seliga Acupuncturist Park Ridge, IL

Hello! Yes, you should hydrate before and after your acupuncture treatment. Hydration helps in the elimination of any toxins that were moved during your treatment.

**Christine Walinch** Acupuncturist Princeville, Hawaii · Accepted Answer

Christine Walinch Acupuncturist Princeville, Hawaii

This is for two reasons: 1) It's important to stay hydrated after acupuncture because it can cause toxins to be released into your system. Staying appropriately hydrated helps flush out these toxins. Since alcohol and coffee both cause dehydrating effects on the body, they should be avoided after acupuncture.

**Dr. Alexandre Yves Hillairet** Acupuncturist Ventura, CA · Accepted Answer

Dr. Alexandre Yves Hillairet Acupuncturist Ventura, CA

It is always recommended to drink water before and after. Eating a small meal before acupuncture is also very important. It is also recommended to not exercise after an acupuncture treatment to let the body rest.

Alexandre Hillairet, DAOM.

**Dr. Steve Sterling** Acupuncturist San Diego, CA · Accepted Answer

Everyone is an individual and rarely are their absolute advice that applies generically for everyone. That being said, ideally you should be adequately hydrated prior to your acupuncture treatment and void your bladder if necessary before you get acupuncture treatment. This is to avoid the need to have to go to the bathroom while you are laying there receiving the treatment.

Traditionally, one should avoid being exposed to water as in don't take a shower, go out without protective wear in the rain, or stand in the water for about an hour after you receive your acupuncture treatment. This is based on the concept that your energy pathways called meridians may have been opened during the treatment and you will want to protect them from getting dampness lodged into your meridians.

There isn't any contraindication that I am aware of for drinking water after a treatment however, the treatment is working with your body and its energy "Qi" system and you may probably not want to alter your body's composition by drinking or eating anything right after the treatment but, you also don't want to be too thirsty or hungry before your treatment.

In Chinese medicine the general rule of thumb is eat when you are hungry, drink when you are thirsty, and sleep when you are tired. But, this is based on someone being in good moderation and able to listen to their body's inner wisdom and not react to sugar cravings, or overindulgences, etc. I hope this is helpful.

**Richard S. Mandell** Acupuncturist Brookline, MA · Accepted Answer

Richard S. Mandell Acupuncturist Brookline, MA

Yes. It is always wise to drink water after an acupuncture treatment to help with detoxification and balance.

Richard Mandell, Lic.Ac.

**Ms. Kim Doan Nguyen** Acupuncturist Richmond, VA · Accepted Answer

Ms. Kim Doan Nguyen Acupuncturist Richmond, VA

Absolutely. The body needs hydration after a treatment, and it will make you feel much better. I would advise avoiding alcohol and caffeine for a few hours if possible.

**Dr. Christine Ann Adamo** Acupuncturist SAN MARCOS, CA · Accepted Answer

Dr. Christine Ann Adamo Acupuncturist SAN MARCOS, CA

Yes, it would be beneficial to drink water after an acupuncture treatment.

**Neilly A. Buckalew** Acupuncturist Post Falls, ID · Accepted Answer

Thank you for your question,

No one‘s ever asked that before. I usually tell people to drink water or a weak tea, like green tea no sweetener, after any kind of treatment that has the likelihood of affecting your metabolism and or your kidneys. This would include acupuncture. I usually advise not to drink too much right before treatment so you don’t have to use the bathroom while the needles are in!

Be well,

Dr. Buckalew

**Cari Cater** Acupuncturist Smyrna, GA · Accepted Answer

Cari Cater Acupuncturist Smyrna, GA

Hello,

You should be well hydrated before your treatment, and do make sure to drink plenty of water afterwards. You may be releasing toxins post-treatment even for a couple days. Up to 50% of pain can be decreased just by being hydrated!!
Hope that helps!

Cari

**Dr. Scott S. Lee** Acupuncturist Wheeling, IL · Accepted Answer

Dr. Scott S. Lee Acupuncturist Wheeling, IL

Hi,

You should drink more warm water than usual after acupuncture treatment, which will help you to detox. Do not drink cold water.

Sincerely,

Scott Sang In Lee

**Alyssa Risi** Acupuncturist Tinton Falls, New Jersey · Accepted Answer

Alyssa Risi Acupuncturist Tinton Falls, New Jersey

It is always a good idea to keep up with proper hydration. Oftentimes after a treatment, I am sure to tell patients to drink a little extra water that day. Circulation and fluids are moving, along with toxins. Water helps flush the toxins out to allow the acupuncture to have a more positive effect.

**Susan Elaine Friedrich** Acupuncturist Everett, WA · Accepted Answer

Susan Elaine Friedrich Acupuncturist Everett, WA

Yes, or electrolytes.

**Carolyn Shannon Sullivan** Acupuncturist Randolph and Stoughton, MA · Accepted Answer

Carolyn Shannon Sullivan Acupuncturist Randolph and Stoughton, MA

I'm not sure of your reasoning here....did somebody instruct you to do that? I certainly can't see how it would hurt, but you should not drink too much, as you can flush out important nutrients in your urine. Ask your practitioner what they think and they can discuss your reasons why you would want to do this. Good luck!

**Mrs. Ella Ashabi** Acupuncturist LAKE FOREST, CA · Accepted Answer

Mrs. Ella Ashabi Acupuncturist LAKE FOREST, CA

Yes, of course, because it gets all the toxins out of your system.

**Roxene Bates DOM LAc ADS** Acupuncturist Logan, UT · Accepted Answer

Roxene Bates DOM LAc ADS Acupuncturist Logan, UT

Yes, hydration before and after treatment is recommended. Water is our best hydrator, especially clean/filtered.

**Jessica Ra'chel Newman** Acupuncturist LONG BEACH, CA · Accepted Answer

Jessica Ra'chel Newman Acupuncturist LONG BEACH, CA

Yes

**Mozart Paiva** Acupuncturist Baltimore-Nottingham, MD · Accepted Answer

Mozart Paiva Acupuncturist Baltimore-Nottingham, MD

You should drink water frequently, before, after Acupuncture and keep yourself well hydrated all day.

Be well, be confident, we can help.

**Elizabeth Perry** Acupuncturist Palm Beach Gardens, FL · Accepted Answer

Elizabeth Perry Acupuncturist Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Yes

**Andrea Cillo** Acupuncturist Bay Shore, New York · Accepted Answer

Andrea Cillo Acupuncturist Bay Shore, New York

Yes. It is very important to keep yourself hydrated, especially if your treatment worked with the musculature. You really can't drink too much water!

**Marianela Ramirez Domenec** Acupuncturist San antonio, TX · Accepted Answer

Marianela Ramirez Domenec Acupuncturist San antonio, TX

Yes! You can drink water after or before the acupuncture treatment, room temperature.

**Ms. Qin Milla Mu** Acupuncturist San Jose, CA · Accepted Answer

Ms. Qin Milla Mu Acupuncturist San Jose, CA

Yes, after acupuncture treatment, drink a cup of water. It will make you feel better.

**ryan bishop** Acupuncturist loxahatchee, fl · Accepted Answer

ryan bishop Acupuncturist loxahatchee, fl

Yes always a good thing to stay well hydrated. Many people are dehydrated as it is.

**Long Vi Vuong** Acupuncturist San Diego, CA · Accepted Answer

Long Vi Vuong Acupuncturist San Diego, CA

Yes, acupuncture will keep you hydrated after acupuncture.

**Phranque Wright** Acupuncturist Chicago, IL · Accepted Answer

Phranque Wright Acupuncturist Chicago, IL

You should drink water after any type of treatment such as acupuncture, massage or other therapies that manipulate the body's functioning. Be sure to talk to your practitioner about it in relation to your specific condition, which may have an alternate answer.

**Daisy Dong** Acupuncturist Denver, CO · Accepted Answer

Daisy Dong Acupuncturist Denver, CO

Yes, I highly recommend it.

**Jeff Rippey** Acupuncturist Saint Joseph, MO · Accepted Answer

Jeff Rippey Acupuncturist Saint Joseph, MO

Drinking water after acupuncture isn't going to hurt anything.

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