Acupuncture is good for a lot of things that can bother you, from stress to lower back pain.

But after a session with a licensed and experienced acupuncturist, it’s also very important that you take good care of yourself. In this article, you will learn about some of the things that you should do after acupuncture in order to improve the results of this ancient practice of medicine.

Don’t forget to repost this article afterwards to let your family and friends who are considering having acupuncture also know some of the steps they should take after a session.

Get Plenty of Rest

The goal of undergoing acupuncture is to obtain healing in an alternative manner. And just like after receiving any type of treatment, giving your body much-needed rest is of utmost importance.

No, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your life should come to a halt by spending the entire day in bed.

After an acupuncture session, it’s a good idea for you to limit the amount of energy you expend to help the treatment in healing your body.

While it’s true that you may actually feel a sudden increase of energy after meeting with an acupuncturist, depending on the treatment received, it doesn’t mean that you should make the most out of the boost in energy.

Opt for Light Exercise

If you’re a fitness buff, you may have the urge to jog or pump iron, again because of the fact that it’s very much likely for you to feel energized after acupuncture.

Experts in acupuncture say that it’s perfectly fine for you to get your dose of exercise after a session.

However, they insist that you should momentarily opt for very light ones 1 to 2 days after having an acupuncture session. Stay away from exercises that can drain the body of its energy.

Instead of jogging, go for walking. Instead of attending advanced yoga classes, opt for a beginner or intermediate class. Be gentle on your body as it’s healing itself with the help of acupuncture.

Stay Hydrated

Acupuncture can cause toxins to be released into the bloodstream so that they may be flushed out of your body.

It’s exactly for this reason why it’s very important for you to stay hydrated throughout the day. Drink plenty of water — per day you should consume up to 2 liters, which is equivalent to about 8 glasses.

Refrain from having coffee and alcohol, say the experts. That’s because both coffee and alcohol have diuretic properties, which means that they can leave your body dehydrated.

Also, the said beverages can alter the way you sense your body, which can mask the effects and benefits of undergoing an acupuncture session.

Have Healthy Meals

To help boost the healing properties of acupuncture, it’s a wonderful idea for you to feed your body with the right kinds of foods, in particular those that provide much-needed nutrients.

Make sure that you include lots of fresh and organic fruits and vegetables to your every meal.

Consider having foods that have anti-inflammatory properties, such as oily fish, nuts and seeds because of the omega-3 fatty acids in them. Garlic, ginger and turmeric are also good for you after acupuncture.

Needless to say, you should steer clear of anything that is greasy and fatty. Foods and beverages that contain lots and lots of sugar are a no-no, too.

Apply Heat

Most people opt for acupuncture in dealing with body aches and pain so that they don’t have to heavily rely on NSAIDs that are known to come with a host of risks and side effects.

Wondering if it’s ice or heat that you should apply in order to help boost the pain-relieving effects of acupuncture?

According to experienced acupuncturists, it’s definitely heat that you should apply. One of the goals of acupuncture is to get your circulation going, and applying ice can actually put that to a halt.

But with the use of heat, the circulation-boosting benefits of acupuncture can be kept intact.