3. To receive acupuncture, you may not need to remove your clothes as you would for a massage. However theAcupuncturists may need to access certain areas under your clothing, but they will cover you appropriately so that only small areas of skin are exposed. It is recommended to wear loose clothing so that sleeves can be rolled up above the elbows and pant legs can be pulled above the knees.
4. You may be asked to show your tongue, take your pulse, and feel your abdomen.
Acupuncturists are interested in the condition of your internal organs, and using these methods they can determine the best treatment for you. Also, just like reflexology on the hands and feet, different areas of the tongue, radial pulse and abdomen correspond to different organs of the body.
5. Acupuncture needles are much thinner than hypodermic needles. If you're afraid of needles, keep in mind that acupuncture needles are about the width of two to three strands of hair and are actually quite flexible. Often people are surprised to feel no pain upon insertion and after they are in place.
6. Acupuncturists do not reuse needles. The needles we use on you have never been used on other patients. This means that there is virtually no chance of you contracting any disease from receiving acupuncture and because the needles are made of very thin and flexible surgical grade stainless steel.
7. Acupuncturists don't just use needles. Although needles are our main tool, there are a variety of other techniques such as acupressure (pressure of fingers instead of needles on acupuncture points), cupping (suction of the skin), moxibustion (skin heating) or Qi Gong (energy healing) which could be used.
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8. A single session is often not enough to treat what ails you. The number of sessions needed depends on the individual. A person with a chronic illness may need one to two sessions per week for several months. An acute problem generally improves after 2 to 5 sessions.