Things You Need to know Before Your First Acupuncture Treatment
Are you curious if acupuncture is right for you? Have you had acupuncture before but are new to Cosmic Wave Acupuncture? Do you know someone who would benefit from acupuncture? I the answer is yes to any of these question keep reading! I will address the basics of who acupuncture can help, what you should wear to an acupuncture appointment, what you should expect after a treatment, typical treatment plan recommendations and much more.
Can Acupuncture Help me or Someone I know?
Short answer is yes acupuncture can help you! Acupuncture can help your family, friends, coworkers, children and it can even help your nemesis. So book now before your nemesis gets a leg up! Contraindications do exist these are most often rare urgent medical emergency situations that we need to refer you to another medical practitioner to get clearance before we begin treatment. For most people acupuncture is an excellent addition to your wellness routine and healing journey. Cosmic Wave Acupuncture also offers many other modalities if acupuncture isn’t appropriate for you at this time.
What Can Acupuncture Treat?
Acupuncture can address most symptoms and conditions. It can support treatments prescribed from other medical practitioners and specialist by improving outcomes and helping mediate side effects. This is a list of just a few of our favorite things to treat at Cosmic Wave Acupuncture:
Chronic and acute pain in the body. A few types of pain we have treated recently: Neck pain, wrist pain, knee pain, low back pain, hip pain, ankle pain, plantar fasciitis, body aches from breastfeeding, headaches, athletic injuries, rib pain, shoulder pain, jaw pain, and sinus pain.
Pregnancy and postpartum care. We can address and/or support morning sickness, pregnancy aches and pains, insomnia, heartburn, constipation, anxiety, fatigue, labor preparation, postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression, mastitis, neck and shoulder pain from breastfeeding and holding your newborn, wrist pain and digestion.
Menstrual health issues. Including PMS, PMDD, menstrual cramps, endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts pain, PCOS, amenorrhea, mid cycle spotting, excessive bleeding, breast tenderness and swelling, bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue during period, moodiness, hormonal acne, supporting girls with their first period and women with their perimenopause journey.
Perimenopause and the transition into menopause. A few menopause symptoms acupuncture is helpful in treating hot flashes, vaginal dryness, anxiety, rage, night sweats, insomnia, excessive bleeding, feeling ungrounded, dry skin, and rashes.
Pre-Surgical and Post-Surgical support including acupuncture scar therapy
Post plant medicine or psychedelic therapy physical, mental and spiritual re-integration
How to Prepare for your First Appointment
You have decided you want to try acupuncture and you have booked your Initial Consult online and still have a few questions. What do I wear? What do I do before? What should I plan for after the session? What should I eat or drink?
What to Wear to Your Treatment
Wear a soft, comfortable and loose outfit that you can completely relax in and provides access to acupuncture points on the body. Two piece pajamas, short sets or a loose tank top and baggy sweat pants that can easily be rolled up to your knees work great for most treatments. If you forgot your clothes at home you don’t need to worry we provide clean gowns, sheets and towels if needed.
What to Eat or Drink Before Your Treatment
I recommend room temperature water or a non caffeinated herbal tea to drink. A light easy to digest snack or meal 1-2hrs before your appointment. Consuming large meals and caffeinated drinks or food is not recommended before a treatment. We want your body to be able to completely relax and focus on the acupuncture treatment. Consumption of alcohol and recreational drugs is not recommended. If a patient comes in intoxicated they will need to reschedule the treatment and be charged a missed appointment fee.
What to Plan for After a Treatment
Drink room temperature water or other warm beverages to stay hydrated and promote circulation. Eat warm nourishing and grounding foods. Give yourself time to slowly transition back to your day. You may feel a sense of deep relaxation, tired, a little spacy or even euphoric. Not all treatments will have this effect. You may feel energized after or not feel anything at all. Some treatments take up to 48hrs to feel the change or pain relief. The body will seek out what it needs to heal some patients who need extra rest will want to nap as soon as they get home from treatment others may crave some gentle movement. I recommend first time patients clear their schedule after if possible. If you do choose to exercise, keep it gentle like a leisurely walk, restorative/yin yoga or other slow movement. Avoid intense exercise like CrossFit, HIIT workouts or sprints after.
How Often Should You Get acupuncture?
You can get acupuncture daily if you want to. You don’t need to be injured, in pain or sick to get acupuncture. Many patients come in for wellness treatments. Daily acupuncture is not possible for most peoples schedules. The frequency of treatments is based on the type and severity of conditions being treated. For optimal results I recommend most patients come in 1-2 times a week for 6-10 treatments. I do have different recommendations for the following Conditions. An acute injury may require 3-4 treatments in the first week after the injury. Post surgery daily treatments are recommended for 1-2 weeks followed by weekly treatments as needed. Fertility treatment programs are generally weekly treatments while trying to conceive (for both partners), during pregnancy, and postpartum care. For menstrual health conditions I recommend a minimum of 12 weekly treatments or three full menstrual cycles initially.
What makes Cosmic Wave Acupuncture Different?
Cosmic Wave Acupuncture is located in Amie House, a relaxing spa-like wellness collective in Redondo Beach, California a few blocks from the ocean. As a practitioner I go beyond traditional acupuncture. I combine gentle acupuncture with crystal therapy, sound therapy (using crystal singing bowls, tuning forks, and Chimes), moxabustion, tui, Na, herbal medicine, traditional dietary therapy and Reiki. I believe in a collaborative medicine model in which the patient’s goals and needs are the focus of the treatment plans. I believe in working alongside and consulting with other medical and health practitioners. I feel it is important for patients to feel like they are heard, seen and requests are honored on their healing journey.
Are You Looking for More Information?
Below are books I have on my personal bookshelf and I recommend to patients interested in more information on Traditional East Asian Medicine, and Sound therapy. Full disclosure I am an Amazon Associate and I earn from qualifying purchases from the links below.
The Web has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine, by Ted Kaptchuk
This is great book for someone new to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) or a quick review for those already studying it. It is a basic introduction to TCM Theory. I recommend this to patient’s that are seeking an understanding of the theory behind their treatments. Click the link below to purchase on Amazon.
2. Maya and Friends Visit the Acupuncturist By: Samara White L.Ac., Illustrated by: Troy White
This is a cute picture book to help my youngest patients explore what it is like to go to an acupuncturist before their first visit. It introduce basic theory and explains different treatment modalities including acupuncture, herbal formulas and cupping. Click the link below to purchase on Amazon.
3. Psycho-Emotional Pain and the Eight Extraordinary Vessels By: Yvonne R. Farrell
If you are already a student of Traditional East Asian Medicine or a long time patient of the medicine and want to go deeper into theory beyond the primary meridians I highly recommend this book. I also recommend taking online courses from Yvonne Farrell. I often reference this book when I am creating an Psycho-Emotional Treatment. Click the link below to purchase on Amazon.
4.Vibrational Acupuncture: Integrating Tuning Forks with Needles By: Mary Elizabeth Wakefield and MichelAngelo
This is the book that inspired me to bring vibrational medicine and Sound Therapy into my acupuncture treatments and Signature Cosmic Wave Healing Session. I have also attended workshops with the talented authors. I recommend this book to help understand the theory of Vibrational Acupuncture and Sound Therapy and would recommend it to any practitioner considering adding sound to their acupuncture practice. Click the link below to purchase on Amazon.