Acupuncture is a Traditional Chinese Medicine practice of placing ultra-thin metallic needles at specific points in the skin to stimulate the central nervous system. This stimulation is thought to release chemicals into the muscles and central nervous system to promote natural healing and improve well-being. Acupuncture has been proven effective for a variety of conditions, including relief from stress, pain, arthritis, allergy, and mental fogginess. It can also improve digestion and sleep. Patients have reported long-lasting symptom relief and overall improvements in wellbeing after treatment.
Dr. Jaffe recently sat down with Bill Reddy, a pioneering acupuncturist with a background in mechanical engineering and Eastern medicine who is working to bridge the gap between acupuncturists and physicians to discuss acupuncture and Integrative Heart Health. In light of that, we thought it would be a good time to talk about how best to support your body after an acupuncture treatment.
The Nature’s pHarmacy approach includes recommendations on what to eat, drink, think, and do post-treatment to maximize the benefits from your session. Since the goal will be to eliminate toxins from the body, recommendations will be similar to our natural detox plan.
EAT
Select (organic or biodynamic) antioxidant foods such as berries, beans, apples, stone fruit, dark leafy greens, nuts, vegetables, and spices. You’ll want to avoid processed foods, refined sugars, salty foods, fried foods, alcohol, and caffeine to allow your body the opportunity to benefit fully from the acupuncture session.
DRINK
Hydration is key for helping to remove toxins from the body. Drink plenty of water for the remainder of the day, adding a squeeze of lime for flavor and alkaline-promoting effects.
THINK
Get plenty of rest following your appointment to allow your body to continue to heal. Relaxation and meditation practices can be helpful, as you want to avoid stress and stressful situations.
DO
Rest and relaxation are really the most important things, and you’ll want to avoid cold temperatures and strenuous exercise. Keep warm but avoid any extreme temperature changes such as saunas for a few hours. Take a few deep, abdominal breaths hourly. Massage can be helpful, especially if you suffer from muscle pain. Take note of any side effects or feelings you experience after your session, so you can provide feedback to your acupuncturist.
While acupuncture may not be for everyone, it certainly can be beneficial to many. The effects of acupuncture may increase over time, and it sometimes take a few sessions to achieve maximum benefit.