Getting the Most Out of Acupuncture: Pain Management

Acupuncture has been used to treat pain for thousands of years. It can be effective for a wide variety of conditions, ranging from ankle sprain to rheumatoid arthritis. If you are considering trying acupuncture for your pain condition, taking these simple steps can help you get the most out of your treatments.

· Track your symptoms: Your acupuncturist will want to know what situations cause the pain to flare up, and what things make it feel better. This helps us to formulate a diagnosis and treatment plan that is tailored to your needs. Pay special attention to your activities, postures, stress level, and the impact of the weather.
· Give it time: While some people start feeling improvement right away, acupuncture generally requires a course of treatment. Start with a trial of 5-6 treatments (generally 1-2 times per week) before you decide if it is right for you.
· Use other modalities as needed: Acupuncture works well in combination with physical therapy, therapeutic massage, and chiropractic care. Using multiple treatment modalities can enhance the treatment benefits.
· Don’t overdo it: Sometimes, when you start to feel pain relief you try to catch up on errands and projects around the house… and then feel worse the next day. Remember that healing is a process; don’t re-injure yourself by being overeager.

And finally, have fun! Acupuncture can be a very relaxing and enjoyable experience.