“What should I do after my first acupuncture session?”

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“What should I do after my first acupuncture session?”

I am a 38 year old female. I will have my first acupuncture treatment next week. What should I do after my first acupuncture session?

31 Answers

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

Kaiti Wang Acupuncturist Baytown, TX

You can do anything .

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

Catherine Rahm Coudray Acupuncturist Laramie, Wy

Not exercise
No alcohol
No spicy or greasy food for the next 24hrs

**Tara Foster** Acupuncturist Arcata, CA · Accepted Answer

Tara Foster Acupuncturist Arcata, CA

Drink water.

**Natalie Ramsey** Acupuncturist Montclair, New Jersey · Accepted Answer

Natalie Ramsey Acupuncturist Montclair, New Jersey

It would be best to hydrate and avoid strenuous activity. Go to bed at a decent hour and abstain from drinking alcohol.

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

Elizabeth Perry Acupuncturist Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Relax, enjoy and reflect

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

Ms. Ellen D. Leonard Acupuncturist Grants Pass, OR

Relax, have something to eat, drink a lot of water after a treatment.

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

Mr. Anthony James Lorenzo Acupuncturist

Follow your practitioner's instructions. :-)

**Hsin Yun Tu** Acupuncturist Austin, TX · Accepted Answer

Hsin Yun Tu Acupuncturist Austin, TX

After every treatment, just need to go back home take more rest, drink room temperature water. If you can, do some light meditation before you go to bed.

**Covyn Montemayor** Acupuncturist Orlando, FL · Accepted Answer

Covyn Montemayor Acupuncturist Orlando, FL

Your acupuncture physician can best encourage you on what to do post-acupuncture. Depending on what you are receiving care for the encouragement may differ. As a general rule of thumb, drinking a lot of water and resting is helpful after a session.

Blessings,

Covyn Montemayor

**Ramona Whan** Acupuncturist Wildomar, CA · Accepted Answer

Ramona Whan Acupuncturist Wildomar, CA

Unless, you have some form of cupping, gua sha, or massage then you are free to go about business as usual. Otherwise, drink plenty of water, avoid greasy foods, no alcohol, or excessive exercise for 24 hours, no excessive heat or cold exposure for 24 hours if you have any of the former treatments mentioned.

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

ryan bishop Acupuncturist loxahatchee, fl

Rest drink plenty of water and tea

**Kathleen ODonnell** Acupuncturist Blue Ahs, OH · Accepted Answer

Kathleen ODonnell Acupuncturist Blue Ahs, OH

Drink lots of water and go to bed 10 minutes early is my post-treatment prescription for people. There's really no need to do anything out of the ordinary after a treatment, unless you don't drink much water. Always drink enough water.

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

Roxene Bates DOM LAc ADS Acupuncturist Logan, UT

Before an acupuncture session, it is best to be well hydrated and have food within the past few hours. After an acupuncture session, it is also recommended to again have hydration (water is best - avoid caffeine and alcohol), be able to relax for a while, if possible, before any stressful events, and keep warm.

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

Phavikone Sundara Acupuncturist Kent, WA

If you can have a rest!

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

Alyssa Risi Acupuncturist Tinton Falls, New Jersey

I try to recommend that after acupuncture, especially it being your first treatment, to try and not do anything rigorous or physically demanding. Let your practitioner know how you feel right after, and he/she will let you know what you may expect within the next 24-48 hours, depending on what was treated and modalities used.

**Leanne Mitchell** Acupuncturist Wellington, FL · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Thank you for your inquiry. Everyone is different with how they respond to acupuncture treatments. Some people get a surge of energy and some people, I would say most, feel very relaxed and calm with a clear mind. Typically, I recommend that people drink a lot of water, because on a cellular level, acupuncture creates a healing response that can include mild detoxification, so drinking water can help cleanse the tissue and also support more relaxation. Lastly, most patients express that they sleep really well the night they have acupuncture, or they need a nap when they get home. Again, everyone is different.
Wishing you a lifetime of perfect health and happiness.

**Lawrence Kwong** Acupuncturist New York, NY · Accepted Answer

Lawrence Kwong Acupuncturist New York, NY

Drink plenty of water and make sure to relax! Do not go for an intense workout or any thing that is strenuous on your body!

**David Chen** Acupuncturist Whittier, CA · Accepted Answer

David Chen Acupuncturist Whittier, CA

Good morning,

After acupuncture treatment, usually we recommend the patient still can go back to 80% of their regular routine, but talk to your acupuncturist.

David

**Holly M. Green** Acupuncturist Delray Beach, FL · Accepted Answer

Holly M. Green Acupuncturist Delray Beach, FL

Usually I advise people to rest and take it easy for the day

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

Ask you acupuncturist what their particular recommendations are for your specific health condition. It is common to want to assess before and after treatment to see how you responded, and to see how long your symptom relief lasts. This will help your acupuncturist create your treatment plan and determine how many treatments and how often you come as well as when to reassess your treatment progress. The main things to avoid are doing any excessive exertion such as working out, etc after your acupuncture treatment for the rest of the day, and to be sure and drink lots of filtered water in my opinion. Also, to wait for at least 1 hour after your treatment before getting wet or going swimming, etc and to avoid wind blowing on you directly on you.

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

Jessica Ra'chel Newman Acupuncturist LONG BEACH, CA

Please see reply on attached link:
https://newmansacupilates.wordpress.com/2019/11/29/acupuncture-preparation/

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

Mrs. Angela Kay Buckridge Acupuncturist Seymour, TN

Get plenty of rest and drink a lot of water after an acupuncture treatment.

Yours in Health,

Angie

**Jinhua Qian** Acupuncturist Windsor Mill, MD · Accepted Answer

Jinhua Qian Acupuncturist Windsor Mill, MD

You should follow your acupuncturist's instruction after the treatment. Usually, we recommend patients do not take shower in 4 hours from the treatment.

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

Daisy Dong Acupuncturist Denver, CO

Drinking plenty of fluid, not engage in substantial activity, or swimming in the first 2 hours.

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

Long Vi Vuong Acupuncturist San Diego, CA

Hello! I would recommend rest, plenty of fluids, and no strenuous activities for up to 48 hours.

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

Mozart Paiva Acupuncturist Baltimore-Nottingham, MD

Nothing in special. Just relax! But follow your acupuncturist's advice.

Be well, be confident, we can help.

**Poyuan (Kevin) Hou** Acupuncturist Pomona, CA · Accepted Answer

Poyuan (Kevin) Hou Acupuncturist Pomona, CA

Always remember to give your acupuncturist about your feedback, so he/she can adjust the treatment toward the goal you are looking for.

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

Phranque Wright Acupuncturist Chicago, IL

Do what your body tells you to do or what your practitioner tells you to do. If you feel sleepy, take a nap. If you feel hungry, have some food, thirsty, drink, active go do some work.

Acupuncture will regulate your body and let you know it's true energetic balance, so follow what your body guides you to do next.

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

In the words of my teacher: no sex, drugs or rock and roll. After your first and every treatment, you should avoid strenuous activity (that includes sex), recreational drugs, and alcohol. These activities use up a lot of energy and you want to focus your energy on the treatment you just received. Allow your body time to absorb the treatment and adjust to it's new settings.

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

Ms. Qin Milla Mu Acupuncturist San Jose, CA

After acupuncture, within 2 hours, please don't take showers because your skin still has some holes in it.

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

Jeff Rippey Acupuncturist Saint Joseph, MO

I don't generally recommend any after-care for my patients. Normally I tell them to go about their day as usual. You might check with your provider to make sure they don't have any specific instructions.

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