What NOT To Do After Your Acupuncture Or Reiki Session: Keeping Your Zen Post-Treatment

So, you’ve gone and made the leap into self-care. And, among other things, you’ve treated yourself to a luscious Acupuncture or Reiki session.

Congratulations! You absolutely rock.

No matter how big or how little the benefit you’ve already received from your Acupuncture or Reiki treatment is, you’ve started the healing process, as well as given your Body/Mind/Spirit/Heart a clear signal that you’re serious about addressing your health issues.

And, believe you me, your body “hears” all the words and thoughts you use to describe yourself. If you’re using words and thoughts towards yourself that are loving and kind, your body will bloom and heal more easily and quickly. Likewise, if you use unsupportive or critical words and thoughts when addressing yourself, don’t be surprised if your body rebels, acts up, or heals more slowly.

I’m all about the self-care, as it’s totally necessary!

And, from what I’ve witnessed, self-care can be tough to remember, unless you schedule it! Yes, that’s actually one of my secrets to self-care: scheduling it in, until you don’t need the reminder anymore.

Speaking of self-care, I often get questions from patients about what to do after their treatment:

• “What should I expect afterwards?”
• “Should I go to my yoga class?”
• “Is it ok to have a drink with my friends when we go out tonight?”

First of all, here are some pointers of what you SHOULD do after your Acupuncture or Reiki session:

1. DO drink lots of water. Your body is rebalancing after your treatment, and you need to not only keep hydrated to help facilitate that; but, it will help move out any toxins that are being released.
2. DO notice your energy level. After a clearing or tonifying treatment, patients may/may not feel slightly tired afterwards, and want to nap. If that’s the case, allow yourself to rest or nap. Getting some shuteye is another way the body rebalances. Both Acupuncture and Reiki are energy healing modalities. Because the body knows best, and will thus integrate as much or as little as it needs during the treatment, you may feel one of the following: energized, calm, sleepy, relaxed, or ready to create!
3. DO take any herbal formulas or supplements that you’ve been recommended, and have purchased. To get more bang for your buck in the healing department, don’t skimp on the herbal formulas or supplements that may have been suggested to you, and that you’ve purchased. If you are avoiding taking them because you don’t fully understand what it does, or if they’re raw herbs, how to prepare it, ask your practitioner to give you the 411.  If you’re not taking them because you’re forgetting, it may be helpful to schedule it into your book, or set a timer on your phone, until it becomes a habit. By doing so, you’re really enhancing whatever Acupuncture or Reiki treatment you’ve had!
4. DO the stretches or exercises that’s recommended for your condition. This applies not only to the physical exercises, but also to any exercises and suggestions you may receive to heal your Emotional/Spiritual Self, as well. Your practitioner cares about your health and well being, and wants you to obtain optimal benefit from your treatments, and feel better! Do yourself, and your body, a favor, and do those stretches already!
5. DO eat a nice, clean meal afterwards, especially if you haven’t eaten much beforehand. It will help the body post-session after getting all that Qi moving! Note: Also, it’s always better to have something in your tummy, even if it’s a tiny snack, before having your session.
6. DO be gentle with yourself, physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
7. If you had cupping or gua sha done, DO keep the area covered for the next 1-2 hours, since the area is open and receptive right after the treatment.
8. DO take notes. If the Type A Virgo-ean in you wants to track your progress, or simply digest the session and what it’s brought up for you, some journaling may be helpful. You can always see how things are going, and record any lifestyle changes you may be incorporating while being treated.

Here’s WHAT NOT to do after your Acupuncture or Reiki session, so you can keep your zen post-treatment:

1. DO NOT have a strenuous workout, like Crossfit or massive cardio, after your session. Your body may not be up to it. Pushing yourself physically may have its purpose at a certain time, but not after a treatment.
2. DO NOT get hammered at that company/social gathering right afterwards. Same goes for recreational drugs.
3. DO NOT starve yourself, forget to hydrate, or eat crap food (super-greasy, with lots of empty calories and refined, processed ingredients), directly after treatment. Yes, I said it! This won’t make or break you post-treatment. But, you’ll have moved much Qi during your session, and your body needs to refuel the right way after doing so!
4. DO NOT let your herbal formulas and supplements disappear into the Herbal/Supplement Graveyard, a.k.a. that corner in your cabinet where you stash things and then forget to revisit ever again, until the end of time.
5. If you are a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) or empath, DO NOT immerse yourself into a densely populated gathering. For those of you in big cities, it may be tough to avoid large crowds. If that’s the case, keep it minimal. Not only may you not be up for it; but, you’ll be ultra-receptive and it just may be too much action for the moment.
6. If you had cupping or gua sha done, DO NOT leave the area that was worked on uncovered right after it was treated.

The above are some loving tips to get the most out of your next Acupuncture or Reiki session. Granted, the world will not end if you do not get to all of them. But, think of them as guidelines for the most optimal healing experience!

Are there any tips I may have missed? Is there a favorite post-treatment care tip you’d like to share?
If so, please let me know in the comments, below!

In health and love,

 

 

 

 

 

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All information on this website is my own opinion, and not to be taken as medical advice. Reliance on any information provided on this website is solely at your own risk. Please refer to your medical practitioner before making any medical decisions.