A: If you have sprained, pulled your muscle, felt any pain or have an acute condition, you would need to get treated as soon as possible when symptoms just developed. It will only take about three to five treatments to get fully recovered.  But when you delay or receive inappropriate treatment, the problem may become chronic.  In this case, the number of treatment required increases and treatment time may be extended. Treating your sickness is just like repairing a hole on your cloth, you need to get treated while your problem is small just like to repair the hole while it is small. If you ignore your condition, the problem, just like the hole on your cloth, becomes bigger and more difficult to treat or repair.  As described in handbook About Acupuncture How does Acupuncture work?, any pain or ill-health results when the flow of Qi through body is disrupted or blocked.  When the blockage remains in your body for a long time, it is more difficult and takes a longer to treat. Acupuncture treatment is to help the flow of Qi through a network of channels just like removing the clog in the water pipes.  Stimulation of the appropriate acupoints through acupuncture treatments helps to restore sufficient, continuous and even flow of Qi and other nutrients throughout the body, thereby restoring health and balance to the body, while relieving pain and other symptoms.  When you have blockage in your body, you feel the pain.  The sooner you get treated, the easier it is to remove the blockage from your body.  Thus it is strongly recommended that you get an intensive treatment when symptoms just develop to obtain an optimal treatment effect. After fully recovered, the best way to maintain your health is to take care of any health problem as early as possible.  Make sure to take care of your body’s health just like maintaining your car and follow the doctor’s advice for any follow-up visit. Dr. Chun-Ming Fu If you find this useful don’t forget to SHARE IT with your friends!  And make sure to Follow Us on Twitter and Like Us on Facebook to receive important news, discounts, and health tips like this