Acupuncture is a branch of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It’s a combination of several other disciplines. They relieve pain in the body as well as mental health issues or nervousness. TCM includes:

• Pharmacopeia
• Dietetics
• Acupuncture
• Moxibustion
• Tuina massage
• Herbs
• Cupping
• Breath
• Energy exercises
• Taichi
• Qigong

Acupuncture consists of the stimulation of specific areas of the skin. The acupuncture points are on the meridians. The meridians are channels of vital energy. They are present in each individual and that everyone can feel. Chinese medicine practitioners call this energy “qi” or “chi”.

For the most comfortable acupuncture therapy session, it’s best to wear loose clothing. You should be able to roll or roll-up pants to above your knees or wear a shirt that folds over your elbows. Since you will most likely be barefoot, it is also helpful to wear shoes that are easy to remove. Read on for more tips on what you should wear to acupuncture.

What should I wear to acupuncture?

For both private and community acupuncture sessions, the patient can wear regular clothes. If there are any limitations in mobility, it is possible to switch to a different outfit. Clothing that is too tight can indeed reduce the quality of your session. But the practitioner will inform you so that this situation does not occur. Also, remember that reputable acupuncturists never sting through clothing. As a guideline, wear comfortable clothing that you can roll up to your knees and elbows. You may need to remove your socks to access your feet.

A large number of acupuncture points get accessed during this holistic health treatment:

• Abdomen
• Lower leg
• Arm
• Ear

Wearing loose things will allow you to remain clothed during your appointment. It will also help access these areas. The doctor may ask you to undress down to your underwear to access specific points. If this makes you uncomfortable, you should not be afraid to talk about it. The acupuncturist will be able to offer you other options in the room. 

Recommended clothes for an acupuncture session

Dr. Ann Marie Nguyen is an expert in alternative medicine, health, and pain relief. She recommends wearing loose, flowing clothing. These should be adjustable to access the necessary body parts during treatment. Consider:

• Sweatshirts
• Shorts
• Yoga pants
• Oversize T-shirts
• Bikini tops

It is advisable to wear comfortable underwear. Avoid sports bras. They restrict access to the back. Depending on where you are, you can wear blouses that open in the back or front or drape a sheet over your body.

The 4 steps of the diagnosis

A traditional Chinese medical acupuncture session follows the 4 steps of diagnosis. Here’s an overview of the key stages of the first acupuncture treatment:

1. Observation
2. Olfaction
3. Questioning
4. Palpation

These steps allow practitioners to understand the energetic state of the patient. The first appointment is a meeting. The therapist must understand the connection between:

• The patient’s visit
• His or her troubles
• Their origins

She must then create a treatment to rebalance the patient. The therapist must see the patient at least once to track the results. She analyzes the patient’s reaction and suggests a follow-up strategy in or out of the clinic.

As acupuncture focuses on the root of the problem and not on the symptoms. The therapist must have a complete vision of the patient’s history. She has to understand the patient’s traumas that he or she expresses through:

• Energy
• Shen
• Vibration
• Heart

How acupuncture works is it begins with a rather long analysis. Especially if you’re doing this for the first time. This allows the doctor to point out the details by taking the pulse. There will be palpation and observation of the body in search for:

• Scars
• Color
• Oedemas
• Blood vessels

You may have to get rid of your major clothing. It will give the doctor the opportunity to analyze you and make the right diagnosis.

How to dress for the first acupuncture session?

Choose an outfit that you feel comfortable in. Is this your first session? Your senses may be very much aroused by the effect of the acupuncture needles on your body. Any clothing that is tight or any adornments are not conducive to a comfortable rest.

The doctor will need access to your arms and legs. To make this experience more comfortable or if you do not wish to undress completely, it will be helpful if you can:

• Roll up your sleeves/pants over your elbows/knees
• Pull up your top to expose your abdomen
• Pull down the waistband of your pants

Are you having acupuncture to treat a sports injury? The practitioner may ask you to bring some shorts to wear. If your outfit is inappropriate or you want to be comfortable, it is safe to undress. You are welcome to keep your underwear on. For women, the doctor may have to unhook your bra and lower your straps. Yet, it is not recommended to come with a sports bra. It is strong and difficult to pull apart or get around.

You will have access to Towels or sheets to ensure proper coverage when the needles are being used. The ultimate goal is for you to feel relaxed, comfortable, and safe. 

A treatment strategy is beginning to emerge

The patient lies down on the table and there begins the observation and palpation. First, the radial pulses. A supreme art. One should receive the pulses of 600 patients before beginning to understand them. This ancestral tool brings such precise but subtle information. The therapist must use his posture of vacuity to receive them well. He does not go looking for information, he receives an expression of medical history. A precise but so particular image of the nature of each organ such as the kidney or the intestine.

To confirm all the details and make an energy assessment of the patient, the doctor will look at:

• The tongue
• The color of the complexion
• The eyes
• The lips
• The pulse in different parts of the body
• The palpation of certain areas

Here, there is no need to wear special clothes. But make sure you wear flexible clothing.

The progress of the therapy

After this point, the therapist will be able to recommend a treatment plan for this first session. She will also have some ideas for the next ones. She’s using the clean needle technique with specialized pharmacy gloves. A Guasha session could be also offered. Any pathology is rarely resolved in a single session. Even if in our society we are well accustomed to everything going fast, a flower needs light, water, and time to grow. No matter what the world around it.

Pathology has often been present for several years. Even if it seems to be recent, it has its origin in the person’s past. Treatments will depend on the energy balance and the strategy established. As for the cost, you can check the insurance coverage online plan.

Prescription following an acupuncture appointment

During a traditional acupuncture treatment, we work on the body’s energies. We activate a message and set up an energy movement. It is important to understand that a certain sensation can occur. Especially for people following the first acupuncture appointment.

It is also important to preserve this movement. Not hindering it or bringing in other strong energetic movements. These would disrupt the energy way. In the 1 to 2 days following treatment:

• Don’t drink alcohol
• Don’t have sexual relations
• Don’t practice intense sports activities

These 3 elements lead to important energetic movements. The body may not be able to understand the different messages after the appointments.

Be calm, drink warm water, and enjoy the energy movements that are taking place. The action and the implementation of treatment are immediate and up to 2 weeks. Wear loose clothing for flexibility of movement. allow blood to flow through your body without congestion. Some patients might feel slight soreness for some patients. A constant, deep breath is important.

Any questions about the acupuncture sessions and holistic health in general? Do not hesitate to contact Dr. Ann Marie Nguyen.