While acupuncture treatments allow you to be fairly passive – you rest while the needles move energy and blood throughout your body – your health, or your return to health, will require your active participation. Unlike going to a doctor and getting a prescription to eliminate, or mask, your symptoms, holistic healthcare requires that you become more involved and more interested in mapping out your unique journey to wellness. The more you invest in taking better care of yourself, the more benefit you will see.
For this reason we will also talk to you about your diet, your exercise routine, stress management and relaxation, and other factors that effect your health and well-being. It is important that you make some commitment to your health – the more steps you can take toward your health and away from unhealthy behaviors the more you will benefit! It’s about bringing your whole life back into balance!
What to expect:
Your first appointment will consist of completing the required paperwork, an interview, checking your pulses and tongue, and an acupuncture treatment. All of your concerns may not be addressed in your first treatment. It is important to see how your body will respond to the needles, so usually, on the first treatment we use fewer needles. In subsequent treatments we again review your concerns, as well as any changes since the previous treatment, and make adjustments based on these changes.
How many treatments:
This varies from person to person and depends on the type of problem you have. Generally, longstanding chronic problems take longer to resolve, and more recent problems respond quicker. Having said that, it also depends on your underlying state of health. Some people look healthy, but really are quite depleted. Others have illnesses, but strong underlying constitutions. It would be great if one or two treatments was all that was needed, and at times it is.
If you are already healthy and want to maintain your health, then getting treatments once per month is probably enough. Acupuncture works best as a preventative method. However, if you are looking to try to heal, then weekly, and sometimes biweekly, treatments are needed. Often, the effects of acupuncture will take effect after 5 to 10 treatments. Again, it may take some time to heal, but the goal is to help you get and stay well with the regular use of acupuncture and herbs.
Diet:
For most of us, it is important to take a good look at what we are eating, how much, and how often. Food is good, and healthy food is necessary. The more you can shift toward an organic, whole foods diet the sooner you will feel better and promote health. Some may need to look at possible food sensitivities and eliminate certain foods, most people can benefit from certain dietary supplements. Food is information. It is important to feed our bodies the right information so that it can function well. Avoiding trans-fats, processed foods, high fructose corn syrup, high amounts of sugar, and eating nutrient dense food high in fiber will help us restore our health. What we eat is more important than the acupuncture or the herbs. And remember, we’re not just trying to resolve your current concerns, we are also focused on preventing future problems.
Exercise:
Even though we are busy, or tired, or in pain, we can usually find a few minutes to start some kind of an exercise program if we don’t yet have one. Once we start we realize how important it is to move our body, not just for our physical health, but for our mental and emotional health as well. This does not have to cost anything. We can walk, hike, stretch, or follow DVD’s at home. There are walking/biking trails in our community, yoga classes/studios, and fitness clubs.
Meditation/Stress management:
Do you fly around behind a continuous stream of ‘gotta do’ lists and endless thoughts? Or do you start your day with meditation, prayer, or some other type of thought stopping or controlling activity where you plan for your day to go well, and set a tone of peace and balance for your life? Are your thoughts negative, judgmental, anxiety, fear or anger provoking; or can you stay at peace when the day’s challenges arise? Every thought we have is expressed in our body through biochemical reactions. It is important to be in control of your thoughts, to be aware of them, and to learn to channel and use them constructively to your benefit. There are many ways to manage stress (which we usually feel as a result of our internal reactions to external events). As noted above, diet and exercise contribute to our ability to manage stress. Acupuncture is a great way to induce relaxation, so are meditation, soothing music, yoga, gardening, and countless other activities.
Having read the above, are you ready to join us in healing the planet one body at a time? And also passing this lifestyle on to your family and friends?
Are you:
- willing to take responsibility for your health, and not just looking for a quick fix?
- willing to embrace a lifestyle that promotes wellness and prevents illness?
- willing to look at how your thinking effects your body and health?
- willing to commit to regular, consistent treatments to obtain and maintain your health?
- eager to learn and grow?
If this sounds like you, great! We’d love to welcome you to our practice and you should do very well with our approach! Give us a call today at 315-405-2323 and we’ll get started on your individualized journey to health and well-being!!