If you’re considering acupuncture for the first time, you’ll likely wonder how often you need to visit your local clinic. Will a one-time visit help to cure your aches and pains, or should you book regular consultations?
The truth is, everybody’s acupuncture needs are all very different. It’s always recommended to book a regular plan with your acupuncturist to continue to feel the benefits of pain relief and increased mobility.
Let’s take a closer look at how often you may need to book acupuncture for the best results.
How regularly should I book in for acupuncture?
Acupuncture’s benefits are long-lasting, but professionals recommend multiple visits a month (or even each week) depending on the severity of your case. As a starting point, you may need one session per week for up to a month or fewer, depending on your goals.
Initially, more frequent visits are recommended so that acupuncturists can ascertain how your body is reacting to the therapy. For example, you’ll likely need to book a second visit shortly after your first so that the acupuncturist can examine how effective your treatment plan is.
This allows you and your specialist to create an action plan. Once it’s clear how you react to the sessions (positively or negatively), you can feel more confident about the regularity in which you visit. In some cases, you may only need to visit once a month.
What can affect how regularly I need acupuncture?
Factors such as your medical history, pain severity and/or tension location can dictate how frequently your acupuncturist recommends visits. You can, of course, book in visits for further needling as you wish, if your specialist deems it safe to do so.
Your acupuncturist will also take care to ensure that your course of acupuncture is suited to your body. They will discuss any potential allergies or stressors you may have that could reduce the effectiveness of your treatments. This, again, can affect how often you need to come back for sessions.
Is one acupuncture session enough?
One acupuncture session alone is unlikely to support long-term pain conditions and recurring tension. Professionals recommend regular visits so that blood can continue to flow across areas experiencing pain and restriction.
The type of pain you experience and its severity may also dictate how effective a single session of acupuncture may be. You will likely feel immediate benefits from a single visit to a professional clinic, but problems may reoccur if you don’t return for repeat visits.
If you’re an athlete or need to be physically active regularly, you will likely need to book regular sessions. Regular acupuncture can help to prepare your body for many physical challenges and can keep you flexible as well as less prone to injury.
What are the benefits of regular acupuncture?
Regular acupuncture can help treat various long-term conditions such as IBS, arthritis, knee pain and bronchitis. It can also help patients find relief from frozen shoulders and meniscus tears, among other injuries and disorders.
Long-term practice can help to stimulate your body’s natural healing potential over time. Regular acupuncture may help your body regain strength and mobility as part of a “new normal.” Of course, the potential benefits and outcomes you may expect can vary.
Discussing your concerns and goals with your acupuncturist early in the process is crucial. Early on in the process, a licensed acupuncturist will arrange a strength assessment to learn more about your physical fitness and profile.
This assessment, alongside a one-to-one consultation, will help you learn more about what to expect from acupuncture sessions in the weeks and months ahead.
It’s good practice to keep an open mind and to follow the advice of your physician(s) and acupuncturist. Until you have a complete physical, there’s no guarantee of what benefits you may experience from the process.
How many acupuncture treatments will I need?
Typically, you can expect up to eight acupuncture treatments before you may need to start slowing down sessions. This depends on how your body responds to treatment, the severity of your condition, and whether or not an acupuncturist deems more visits conducive to helping you find relief.
As you continue to discuss your case with an acupuncturist, you’ll be able to book sessions in line with your response to treatment. If you’re reacting well to therapy, your specialist may reduce sessions and recommend out-of-clinic ideas to help you keep supple and pain-free.
Again, if you are an athlete or rely on regular exercise, you may not have a definite number of treatments you need to follow. Regular visits to a professional clinic will help to keep your body at the top of its game, ensuring you can always hit new targets.
Your condition will dictate how many treatments you need. For example, if you need acupuncture for a stiff neck, you will likely benefit from fewer visits than if you suffer from long-term sciatica.
If you are ever unsure about the number of acupuncture sessions you receive, always feel at ease to discuss matters with your specialist. They’re there to help you find an action plan that suits your comfort and lifestyle, as well as your ongoing recovery.
Can regular acupuncture help me?
Regular acupuncture helps millions of people stay active to do the things that bring them joy. The length of your treatment plan will depend on what you’re suffering from and what you intend to get out of the process.
It’s always good to keep an open mind when booking at an acupuncture clinic for the first time. At Lycoming Orthopedic & Sports Acupuncture, we’re clear on the benefits our therapies offer to our visitors. We understand that people have different goals, so we work closely with our patients to create unique action plans for relief and long-term mobility.
Want to start improving your range of mobility and reducing the pain you experience day in, day out? Make sure to book an appointment with our clinic for a consultation. We’ll help you find new ways to relieve everyday aches, pains and to help you get back to the active lifestyle you want to lead.
