EAT
You should eat before you go to your acupuncture treatment. You don’t need to be super full but a light meal is recommended. This will help with your treatment. Eating will prevent you from being distracted from hunger and prevent lightheadedness. It is recommended that you eat a light meal 2 hours before your appointment.
WEAR LOOSE CLOTHES
When going to your appointment, you should wear loose, comfortable clothing. This will help your acupuncturist to easily place the needles on your body’s acupuncture points. Because the process also requires you to be relaxed for a period of time, it really helps to have some comfortable clothing so you feel relaxed during the session.
NOT A TON OF CAFFEINE
Before you go to your acupuncture treatment, don’t drink an absurd amount of caffeine. If you need to drink a lot of coffee, drink it at least 2 hours before your appointment. This is because caffeine is a stimulant and it will affect your fight-or-flight response (you can think of it as being anxious). This is what your acupuncturist doesn’t want to happen. They would like you to be calm and comfortable to have the most effective treatment.
NO ALCOHOL
In addition to caffeine, don’t drink any alcohol. Although a slight amount of alcohol can help you feel relaxed, it isn’t helpful. 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 especially when you’re there for acupuncture for foot pain. You may not be able to correctly pinpoint where you are feeling pain and the intensity of the pain.
REMEMBER PAST HEALTH CONCERNS (MEDICAL HISTORY)
You might not see some things as important like how you sprain your ankle a few months ago hiking. Your ankle should have enough time to heal. But, if you have anything you think might influence your foot problem, you should tell your acupuncturist. It will be really helpful for your acupuncturist in determining the treatment for you. Also, sometimes you are taking some medications right now and it may not be the best with some of the treatments that you may be receiving.
DON’T BE NERVOUS
You might feel a little nervous especially if it is your first acupuncture 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.