EAT LIGHT
Before you go to your acupuncture session, you should eat. It doesn’t need to be big but you should eat. It will help with your treatment. This will prevent you from being distracted from hunger and prevent lightheadedness or even fainting. This is especially true if you are struggling with low blood pressure. Generally, you should eat a light meal 2 hours before your appointment.
WEAR LOOSE CLOTHES
When you go to your appointment, you should wear loose and comfortable clothing. This will help with the treatment by allowing your acupuncturist to easily place the needles on your body’s acupoints. Because the process also requires you to be relaxed for a period of time, it’s nice to have some comfortable clothing to reduce discomfort.
NOT TOO MUCH COFFEE
If you’re about to go to your acupuncture treatment, don’t drink a lot of caffeine. This is because caffeine is a stimulant and it will affect your fight-or-flight response (you can think of it as being antsy). This will increase your heart rate and your acupuncturist needs to get an accurate reading of your pulse. Also, they would like you to feel relaxed and comfortable to have the most effective treatment. If you are going to drink a lot, drink 2 hours before your treatment.
NO ALCOHOL
Don’t drink any alcohol as well. Although alcohol can help you feel relaxed, it won’t be beneficial and even dangerous if you’re heavily intoxicated. Alcohol makes you feel too relaxed because it’s a depressant (numbs your body). By doing this, our acupuncturist can not get a correct diagnosis for your symptoms. You may not be able to correctly pinpoint where you are feeling your symptoms or pain. This will also influence your blood pressure.
REMEMBER PAST HEALTH CONCERNS (MEDICAL HISTORY)
You might not see some of these things as important like how you feel pain in your left arm ever so often. However, if you have anything your acupuncturist should know especially if it is related to your blood pressure, you should tell them. It will help them determine the best treatment. It’s important because sometimes one of the treatments may not work well with your medical history like allergies or current medications you are taking right now.
DON’T BE NERVOUS
You might feel a little nervous especially if it is your first acupuncture for blood pressure or even scared of needles. But, you’re going to be okay. You’re in great hands. Don’t worry about taking your time in answering any questions your acupuncturist may have or even how scared you are about needles. Our acupuncturists are here to help you and will gladly hear you out.