I’m admittedly a little bit biased, but I think acupuncture/Chinese medicine offers the best “bang for the buck” in the medical world. With acupuncture you can have multiple issues treated in the same visit, and leave the office feeling better than when you walked in. How often does that happen when you see other doctors/specialists? It is also one of the least expensive forms of medicine, though this is not always obvious because of insurance coverage. Whether you pay out of pocket or only pay a co-pay here are some things to keep in mind to help you get the most out of your acupuncture sessions.
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Take it easy – acupuncture helps to tune down the sympathetic nervous system (the “flight-or-fight” response) and turn up the parasympathetic nervous system (“rest-and-digest”). Being in “rest- and-digest” mode helps our bodies heal optimally, so when possible enjoy that nice relaxed feeling after an acupuncture session and take it easy for the rest of the day.
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Consistency – think of acupuncture like a medication or exercise. Would you expect a drug to help you if you only take it when you think about it, maybe 2-3 times a week instead of daily as instructed? Do you think you’ll build muscle and lose weight if you only go to the gym a couple of times each month versus four or five times a month? Acupuncture is the same way, the effects of one treatment builds on the effects of previous visits. Luckily as your body gets healthier you need less treatment so you won’t need to have weekly visits forever.
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Treat it like an investment – this goes along with point #2 above. Your health should be a top priority. Just like other investments a little extra up front will pay you back for years to come with good health. This is especially important if your health condition might prevent you from working. Trying to “budget” your treatments by putting too much time in between can sometimes be counter-productive. Not finishing a course of treatment can also become a waste of the time and money spent if you do not stick with the treatment long enough to reach your goals.
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Team Approach – acupuncture can often get great results when combined with other treatments such as physical therapy, massage, and/or chiropractic. Likewise combining acupuncture with herbal treatment can be a great way to get a better value. Herbal medicine can help improve results and reduce the total number of acupuncture treatments needed.
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Speak up and ask questions – you might have a health problem that we have not discussed. Never assume that it is something acupuncture cannot help. Let me know whatever is bothering you and I will let you know how/if acupuncture or herbal medicine can help. Likewise the more you know about your body the better you can make healthy decisions. You get to spend more time with me than you will generally spend with any of your doctors. Feel free to use that time to discuss your health concerns with me. It is also important to discuss any challenges you think you might have with following the recommended course of treatment. Whether its schedule or financial let me know and we’ll work together to see how we can best meet your goals.
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Get a tune up – Even if you are not experiencing any specific symptoms your body can always use a little help. Our bodies are always under stress, and not just the mental kind (though many of us have plenty of that) but also environmental stresses, exposure to pathogens, even gravity. Your car needs periodic maintenance to keep it running at its best and think how much more complex your body is. Many patients find a once a month tune up keeps them feeling great, but even at the transitions of the seasons it can be a great way to protect your investment.
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