We get asked all of the time, “how many acupuncture treatments do I need?”. The answer is, it depends!
Treatment frequency and number of treatments needed depend on a variety of factors: your constitution, the severity and duration of the problem, and the quality and quantity of your Qi. Acupuncture works in a series of treatments. You can never have acupuncture treatments too close together, but you can have them too far apart. It works cumulatively and we want to continue building on your progress. Please refer to your treatment plan given to you by your acupuncturist to know when to schedule your next appointment. Acupuncture is also great for long term emotional health, immune response, and longevity so we recommend a minimum of one treatment per month for optimal health and wellness.
It is super important to note that If we treat you today, but then before your next appointment a week later your symptoms slowly start to creep back in so by the time we treat you again we’re at square one, then we went too far between the first appointments. We’ll be stuck in this see saw of your symptoms improving, then getting worse, then improving, and getting worse. We don’t want this, we want your symptoms to slowly improve, and improve, and improve. Your acupuncturist will work with you to find a treatment schedule that works for you. After you are on a consistent schedule and your symptoms are starting to improve, the frequency of treatments can lesson.
It is also important that between visits you are making note of any changes that may have occurred, such as the alleviation of pain, pain moving to other areas, changes in sleep or mood, and any changes in the frequency and type of symptoms. These are all things to discuss with your acupuncturist during your next visit. This may indicate the need to bump up or lesson the number of treatments or discuss the possibility of adding herbs as well.
