Precautions after acupuncture and moxibustion

After acupuncture and moxibustion, attention should be paid to keeping warm and avoiding wind, avoiding strenuous exercise, keeping needle holes clean, observing body reactions, adjusting diet and rest, etc. to consolidate the curative effect and prevent adverse reactions.

1. Keep warm and avoid wind

After acupuncture and moxibustion, the pores are open, and wind chill easily invades the body through the pinholes. Avoid blowing or catching a cold within 2 hours after treatment, especially in areas with concentrated acupoints such as the neck, waist, and abdomen. Avoid direct air conditioning in summer, and wear scarves or high necked clothing when going out in winter. If applying needles on the back, it is recommended to wear clothing in reverse to avoid rubbing the needle holes.

2. Prohibit vigorous exercise

Within 6 hours after treatment, it is not advisable to engage in vigorous activities such as running, swimming, or playing ball games to prevent excessive dissipation of qi and blood. Light exercise such as walking can be performed, but the duration should be controlled within 30 minutes. Treatment involving acupoints on the limbs, avoid lifting heavy objects or maintaining a fixed posture for a long time on the same day to prevent local congestion.

3. Needle Care

Avoid contact with water at the injection site for 8 hours to prevent infection. If there is a trace of bleeding, use a sterile cotton swab to gently press and stop the bleeding. Do not scratch or use irritating skincare products. The redness after moxibustion is a normal phenomenon and usually subsides on its own within 24 hours. Patients with diabetes need to extend the nursing time to 12 hours.

4. Reaction observation

Common mild and slight acid swelling can last for 1-2 days. If there is persistent dizziness, nausea, or redness, swelling, and suppuration of the needle hole, timely medical treatment is necessary. The first time acupuncture and moxibustion sufferers may have "fainting" reactions such as fatigue and sleepiness, so they should lie down and have a rest and drink warm sugar water. Local induration within 3 days after thread embedding treatment is considered normal, and if it persists for more than 1 week, a follow-up visit is required.

5. Diet and rest

Within 24 hours after treatment, avoid eating raw, cold, spicy, and seafood products, and avoid drinking alcohol to avoid affecting the circulation of qi and blood. It is advisable to drink more warm water to promote metabolism, and appropriate amount of millet Congee, yam and other spleen strengthening foods can be eaten. Ensure sufficient sleep, avoid staying up late, and those with yin deficiency constitution can drink goji berry chrysanthemum tea in combination.

After acupuncture and moxibustion, the body is in a state of adjustment. It is recommended to reduce the work intensity on the day of treatment and maintain a stable mood. There are individual differences among people with different constitutions. Individuals with yang deficiency need to extend their warmth retention time, while those with damp heat constitution should increase their water intake. If a continuous treatment course is carried out, gentle exercises such as Ba Duan Jin and Tai Chi can be combined during the interval between two sessions to help promote the circulation of qi and blood. In case of any abnormal situation, it is necessary to communicate with the attending physician in a timely manner and not to handle or interrupt the treatment plan on one's own.