10 Things To Know Before Your First Acupuncture Treatment

[@drnickspurlock]

Question of the day: What questions do you have about acupuncture and eastern medicine?

[@stevevaughn9560]

I have two related questions regarding herbs (and maybe you can address this in a future vid?): Does heating herbs (i.e. tea) decrease potency? Are there some herbs that work better heated?

[@drnickspurlock]

Good question! I will definitely address this in a future herbal medicine video. The short answer is: decocting herbs for medicinal use (cooking them in water) extracts the hydrophilic chemical constituents which have medicinal value. Then you drink it! The cooking method and time differs for various herbs. However, if you're simply making tea, 5-8 minutes of steeping is usually sufficient. I hope this is helpful!

[@asunflower25]

If you want to try acupuncture for frequent headaches is it best to go in when you are having an active headache or when you are not? Also can acupuncture help reduce your need for hypertension medications?

[@EduardoMartinez-d4o]

How often can I go in and get acupuncture?

[@aldodellachiesa8763]

I left a comment about what a doctor is a few minutes ago. It was directed at an individual who made a derogatory statement. I think I put it in uour comments instead of his. My apologies.

[@jordanlazaro1676]

Hello Doctor, I began acupuncture treatments 2 years ago and they changed my life. I feel a balance in my health. This was so moving that I decided to pursue a career in TCM. I want to get my my PhD in a TCM subject as well. I am now in my 3rd year of Genetic, Cellular & Developmental Biology at ASU and excited to start my TCM apprenticeship next year!

[@meljolly1213]

Thank you so much. I go for my first treatment tomorrow morning.

[@ADtoyaussiechis]

Hi! I go for my first appointment tomorrow, wondering how it went for you? Any trouble? I’m a little nervous!

[@lynnlintner9114]

Spot on doc. I always feel great after a treatment. My primary never sat and reviewed my health history like my acupuncturist did. I was skeptical and curious, but it's unbelievable how much improvement has been achieved in just a few treatments. I always look forward to my visit.

[@tammytubbleville8661]

Thank you so much for the video. I am to go to my first treatment Friday, I actually look forward to it now. Also I enjoyed the funness of your video, made me smile.

[@melvynross987]

Thank you very much. Going to my 6th appointment. Still have pain but, still have faith in acupuncture.

[@suzannegalvin5287]

Thanks so much for this video! I have anxiety with trying new things and I feel much more prepared for my first appointment!

[@erikamyrick676]

I have my first acupuncture treatment tomorrow! You have eased my mind doc! I appreciate you! 😊

[@AllisonQ582]

I just started acupuncture a few weeks ago for frozen shoulder which I've had for 2 years. Honestly, it's changing my life and I couldn't be happier that I did this! Best of luck to you!

[@BigBrickAdventures]

I wish I had seen this this morning before my first session

[@jenellsaphid]

Great video!!! Your confidence is awesome

[@karenlb3218]

Such an enjoyable video…thank you ❤

[@lotsandlotsofcomics]

Excellent! Thank you!

[@snupjohn]

Absolutely wonderful instruction and information! However, how often is this treatment needed for back pain? How long does the relief last between treatments? How, do I recognize a true and effective therapist?

[@machinegunhippy]

I wanna thank you for making this video I found it very helpful i'm on one and i'm headed as we speak to my first session

[@indiainez8017]

I'm considering starting acupuncture for neck, shoulder & back pain. This video was so informative and easy to understand! Thank you

[@ADtoyaussiechis]

Hey! Just wondering if you’ve started ? I have my first appointment tomorrow and I’m a little nervous!

[@tarsheenaames8681]

I have Bells palsy in my face im so scared to get this but you made me feel better Thank you!!!

[@drnickspurlock]

I'm so glad! Acupuncture is the first line treatment for Bell's palsy in China and it is very effective. Best of luck!

[@Mynameisfyl]

Thank you so much for this!!!

[@juneyoshihiro844]

Great video

[@jameskorol8976]

Amazing thank you 🙏

[@TheEve30]

Thank you uploader I am so grateful, thank you.

[@NelsonMontana1234]

The power of the mind to heal the body is remarkable. And that's all that is happening. The acupuncture does nothing.

[@samuelcohen2362]

Great video, prepared me well for the first appointment. Went well.

[@marianaperezsandoval1383]

Thank you I definitely feel more calm and prepare 😊 I have my first season today

[@nikopalmer6471]

Awesome explanation. Thanks

[@sawcheryl]

This was exactly what I needed. Easily understood, well explained and I can start writing things down to help me remember what I need to discuss. Sad to see all your videos are a year old.

[@ItsKells]

EXCELLENT - thank you!

[@hillaryvernon9893]

This was awesome

[@estradioloa151]

Thank you so much for your help. ❤

[@roxanamarin2323]

Hello doctor. This video is very helpful for me, as I never had acupuncture in my 55 years of life. I need your expertise please : last November I had a ski accident and ended up with multiple broken ribs, right shoulder broken, L10 token, and clavicula broken as well. I had a spine surgery the second day after the incident, when 8 screws were put in to fix the L10. Also 3 weeks later another surgery to fix the clavicula that was moving out of the alignment, so a plate and 6 screws were put in to fix that problem. 10 weeks after the spine surgery another surgery was done to fix 2 lossen screws. I now have 14 screws in my spine I'm in pain most of the time, even with pain medication. Now I'm so afraid to move, bec I really don't know what made the screws getting lossen. I live in Canada and my family doctor recommend to me some acupuncture sessions, especially for my shoulder. All x-rays show that my right shoulder is good, but I have pain and I cannot move my right arm because of that. Also it was restricted the motion if my right arm, because of the clavicula surgery. I'm not afraid to try acupuncture, and I'm prepared for my first session, mostly because of your video. Thank you so much. Your video is gold for me. I hope for others also. My question to you is: can I fix my right shoulder with acupuncture. I know is hard to give me an answer without seeing, touching it. Just from your experience with your patients, is accupuncter good for my problem. Of course my shoulder is the first one on my list. I'm going to try acupuncture for spine and ribs, as well. Thank you again for your videos. Love and light is coming to you!!!!

[@stewartthomas2642]

Good vid......Love your stuff kick on love it

[@rsoubiea]

thank you so much! this was really helpful, my first appointment is in a few days. I've been interested in all types of eastern medicine, hot stones, cupping etc. the oil drip.

[@emielvonbannisseht3977]

Hello much enjoyed take care of yourself thank you

[@lindalacey8662]

Thank you. Loved my first session. How many times or sessions does one need?

[@Readwithmommytogether]

Thank you

[@aldodellachiesa8763]

Question do acupunctures use vibrations with the seems that at some point in time?I saw them flick the needles and make them vibrate.Him I remembering something that I didn't see?

[@mariaferreiro625]

I will be doing my first treatment soon. Thank you for the information. I do have a question though, what are the best herbs for high blood sugar and high blood pressure. Thank you.

[@samcohen2483]

Me not a doctor at 3:26 - "I can conclude that this patient has a tongue."

[@The_New_Abnormal_World_Order]

We like tea and we like cats and we're very excited to try acupuncture!!!!🥂☕🐱💖One suspects it might take one up to the next level 👍🦋💡

[@MohamedAmin-ko3ui]

Interesting 🤔 keep it up

[@yasu_6th]

thank you so much!

[@cheyennemckoy2160]

This video was very informative. I had acupuncture and cupping for the first time this week and it hurt like hell😳😳 I got one needle in my butt crack and one at the top of my glutes and they were super painful! Is this abnormal?

[@ladinaii]

I go to UCLA for acupuncture and they’ve never asked to see my tongue or taken my pulse. Also, they don’t incorporate any herbal teas of any kind. Should I go somewhere else?

[@loonylinda]

i got up afterwards very giggly and all my pain had disappeared. But after a couple of hours i was VERY dizzy and confused mentally....as the hours went by, pain came and went two days later i am still drowsy/sleepy and tired

[@brenadavis8131]

Thank you for the ten tips I watched some other videos on acupuncture and was even more hesitant but you mentioned an most of the comments say acupuncture has helped me I had an experience at a webinar and he did the pulse and tongue test so I was not shocked and he told me I dod not drink enough water that’s pretty much the only thing I drink. he did mention 64 ounces but for me that is impossible if I consume 48 ounces I spend 50% or more bathroom visits so what would you recommend because it seems impossible to consume enough water? Thank you Brena

[@leathompson3950]

I have my appointment in 45 minutes! I am nervous since I have Tourette’s! Have you ever had clients that twitch sometimes? How do you deal or help with that? How do they handle that?

[@ADtoyaussiechis]

Hi! I go for my first appointment tomorrow, wondering how it went for you? Any trouble? I’m a little nervous!

[@BadgerBabyBoy]

My acu doctor puts a bolster under my knees but while I’m lying there I get so uncomfortable, it’s a big part of the reason I didn’t go back It also hurts a little for me but that’s partly psychological I think Plus I feel he just puts pins in me and doesn’t try hard enough to help me in other ways

[@The_New_Abnormal_World_Order]

Oh that's a shame to hear. maybe you could try a different acupuncturist.

[@bettyc.6280]

I have had about 5 treatments so far bc I have always been scared of needles and a bit skeptical on the results. I am trying it now bc I need my dominant shoulder back to help with a loved one by pushing them up a very incined ramp in a wheelchair. My 1st visit had no paperwork nor waa it much different from the other visits...no medical questions asked, just not much. I had a fall and it affected my shoulder..no bone broken or dislocated. Why don’t I see results ?

[@mimosa_nimbus]

In terms of food prior to the appointment, is it okay to have a light meal before? Perhaps 2h prior?

[@smitashukla1639]

Hi Nick I would really appreciate your response. I had a one hour acupuncture session at a Chinese clinic and was prescribed herbs for what was diagnosed as chronic eczema. He also said my digestion is very slow. It is not obvious my skin is scaly and extensively dry, but yes I would agree eczema, not sure how chronic. I had a very itchy neck and And the skin tone had darkened like a deep tan on face & on my neck. Although, no itching on my face at all. Now 2nd day after the acupuncture and taking two does of the herbs, I have been literally burning up at night in bed & have an intense itchy burning sensation on the neck and way down my chest. It’s extremely painful. Is this normal?

[@Vibeswithcaramel]

hey how do u feel now is it better?

[@Creating2413]

Should I be concerned? My first appointment was very relaxing and felt good. The second one I am in so much pain I had trouble walking? Should I find a different acupuncturist?

[@ADtoyaussiechis]

Hi! I go for my first appointment tomorrow, wondering how you are feeling now? Im a little nervous!

[@Creating2413]

@@ADtoyaussiechis oh don't worry the rest of my appointments were much better. I think there is a temporary period of adjustment. I was given some herbal pain tablets to help.

[@diannebucad351]

Hi I'm new hear and I'm gonna have my first acupuncture today for anxiety, dizziness and chronic pains. Taking ginkgo biloba capsules and lemon balm at night. Any herbs good for my condition Dr.? Tjamks in advance. 😊

[@ADtoyaussiechis]

Hi! I go for my first appointment tomorrow, wondering how it went for you? Any trouble? I’m a little nervous!

[@brenadavis8131]

sinus issues and acid reflux does acupuncture help?

[@Rajkumar-tj7kt]

Hello my dear sir how to treat croin pain

[@soniaperez9769]

Thx

[@Cissi2009]

Well I wish my first acupuncture would have been a good one. I had lower back pain, the day after the first acupuncture I had extreme jolts of pain in the lower back which were worse than what I had originally. It threw me back 3 months to the acute stage of my back pain. Unfortunately I’m not going back. 😮

[@ADtoyaussiechis]

Hi! I go for my first appointment tomorrow, and I’m a little nervous! Did that pain ever go away?

[@Cissi2009]

Yes it did. I don’t think my experience was typical. I do back stretches twice a day every day which helps with the tightness of the lower back.

[@lululove6175]

Same experience….way worse after treatment in very low back, glutes, tailbone. And this guy is good, trained in five elements.

[@bellasjewelz4062]

I haven't napped on my visits 🥺... I've had 3 sessions. My mind is always on 🥺. What can I do to help this?

[@prettymuchgem]

My acupuncturist didn't do a lot of these preliminary assessment. No tongue, checked pulse for like 5 secs, and cleaned all points at once and began sticking me without feeling the area. How do you know if you've even found a good acupuncturist?

[@drnickspurlock]

Great question! The simple answer is this: Do you feel better? You should feel an improvement after about 6 sessions. If you were working with an experienced acupuncturist, I would say it's probably fine. When someone has been practicing for decades they become so in-tune that they can move very quickly and still provide effective treatments. However, some providers are simply too busy - for example, running multiple rooms at a time - which means they basically have to rush from one patient to another. Unfortunately, that is often the reality of trying to make a living in the field. If you like having a more personalized experience with a provider who takes their time, look for that specifically. A consultation will tell you a lot about how a provider operates. I pride myself on only seeing 1 patient at a time and making sure they have plenty of opportunities to ask questions and I'm not the only one. Insider tip: providers who accept insurance almost always run multiple rooms because they work for the insurance companies, whereas providers who don't (charge time of service) have more freedom to personalize their approach because they work for you.

[@prettymuchgem]

​@@drnickspurlock Thank you so much for your response! She is an older woman, and have been doing this for about 15+ years. I did feel better afterwards and had a flare up that we are watching. This comment helped me put things in perspective because I wasn't sure what to expect! I'm going to stick with her. Also, do you know of a good acupuncturist in the Los angels area?

[@jordanlazaro1676]

@@prettymuchgem look up Dr Alex Haynes TCM on KZbin. He owns a private clinic in LA and he's amazing

[@prettymuchgem]

@@distantnative2478 Good to know. She ended up being quite amazing! I had great results with her. She def knew what she was doing.

[@JaysonT1]

​@@drnickspurlock Very nice and insightful answer, sir.

[@r.m5883]

If my acupuncturist didnt do tongue and pulse…. Then should i find a new one?

[@NirvanaAIM]

This is absolutely ok if your provider didn’t do certain things you heard in the video. Some providers are very experienced or are using other tools in clinic. It’s different in most acupuncture clinics. For example Balance Method Acupuncturist would use palpation and not use tongue and pulse diagnosis. So don’t worry and trust your practitioner

[@JaysonT1]

​@@NirvanaAIM Thank you for this. My acupuncturist didn't do it at all but he's also been doing it for 25 years

[@pixiemermaid]

My acupuncture never checks my tongue or pulse.

[@motherofthreeb6337]

😮

[@tiffunnywallace1790]

Never check mines either..

[@Barbpark-v3b]

Dr. Nick Spurlock, at 8.52 Please check what your words typed out are...It doesn't match what you are saying.

[@Alexandra832]

you have spleen qi deficiency signs :)

[@lululove6175]

Never ever taken a freaking nap

[@JaysonT1]

Just had my first appointment and no tongue and pulse check.

[@aldodellachiesa8763]

Hello, could you please explain to me what a doctor is? Do you believe that a doctor is someone who PRACTICES medicine under the authority of a degree obtained after many years of study? Learning standards of care handed down to them by others that were also PRACTICING? I think that is perfectly acceptable. Practice is important. Western medicine is in the toddler stage compared to the 2000 year art of acupuncture. So im saying that you are quite right . Referring to himself as a doctor is self deprivation. Then again, he may have graduated from medical school. I dont know. I do know that the American Medical Association from the beginning has not had any interest in health. Just money. I also wonder how much information you personally can obtain when your prime objective seems to be finding fault . If you are currently working towards a medical degree, i understand. The loss of that much money and sleep deprivation car leave one a bit foggy. Good luck to you. Thats what PRACTICING MEDICINE is all about.

[@kembooo000]

You lost me at MRIs and CTs are new age stuff

[@edgarstin4212]

Hey Nick, stop calling yourself a "doctor". You are not a doctor. You did not go to medical school. Stop being misleading!

[@NorbenapLabrador-il7et]

Thank you