The number of treatments a client will require
will depend on the nature and severity of the condition.
An acute condition may need only 1 or 2 treatments, while
a chronic condition will need more.
The
constitution of the client will have a bearing on how many treatments
will be required for any given condition. For example a young
strong athlete would be able to tolerate more needles and stronger
stimulation than an aging grandmother. Each treatment is tailored
to the individual for maximum effect.
The following suggestions will help you get the
most from your treatments. Please try not to wear any personal
jewelry, as this may interfere with the flow of energy.
Wear loose fitting clothing. Women should avoid
wearing tight stockings or undergarments or one piece garments.
Usually a loose fitting track suit with an undershirt is best.
Women should also wear little or no make up or perfume. TCM diagnosis
takes into account complexion and colour. Important diagnostic
signals may be obscured.
Avoid coming for a treatment while excessively hungry,
fatigued, if you have just eaten a big meal, or are under
the influence of any mood altering drug, including alcohol,
if you are emotionally upset (unless your treatment is to
deal with the upset), or shortly after sex.
While receiving your treatment it is best
to relax. If you feel nervous, and many do, tell your practitioner.
Make sure you are lying or sitting in a comfortable
position before the needling begins. Needles stay in an
average of 20 minutes or so or longer depending on the condition
and usually manipulated once or twice in that time to keep
the Qi flowing. Some practioners, especially those trained
in China prefer more vigorous stimulation, but this is more
a matter of personal preference. Lie still, do not change
your position or move suddenly once the needles are in place.
Especially do not move around if you have needles in your
chest, back or near major organs. If you are uncomfortable,
tell your practitioner.
It is best to try to meditate,or at least let your
mind drift to somewhere pleasant like a garden or a beach. Concentrating
on your breath is a relatively simple way to do this. Start by
taking a few deep breaths and letting them out slowly to a count
of 8. This will help your Qi flow better. After few breaths like
that you can return to normal breathing.
If at any time you feel faint or nausea or break
out in a cold sweat, tell you practitioner right away. In the
vast majority of cases, removing the needles will alleviate this.
If at any point you find the treatment painful or intolerable
tell your practitioner right away so he can adjust or remove the
needles.
Take your time getting off the table. If you
feel somewhat strange, do not worry. This is just the Qi
flowing the way it is supposed to flow. If possible do not
go back to work right away. An hour or so of meditation
will enhance the treatment. Do not shower or bath for 24
hours after a treatment. Do not take any mood altering drugs
and refrain from sex for 24 hours. Monitor your condition
so that you can discuss with your practitioner how effective
the treatment was and what if anything needs to be changed.
