why after acupuncture should you refrain from alcohol?
145209
alcohol thins your blood.  The same with tattoos and piercings.
455857
This is something I've never heard of before...but, the human body is amazing in that everything is connected. Could be. If it is true, then I would recommend acupuncture to deal with it.
202227
It was a very relaxing experience. I went through a session of hypnotherapy in an attempt to quit smoking. The doctor had me under for about 30 minutes. I was concious during the whole session, but was aware I had been hypnotyzed; he mentioned my hands and arms were so relaxed and light that they began to float, and I could tell they were in the air. I felt rested and relaxed afterwards and had no recolection of smoking for almost a week. Unfortunately, I did not repeat the treatment, but later decided to quit cold-turkey and haven't smoked in almost a year.
338083
Well, alcohol doesn't actually numb pain.  I've always laughed at the western movies or shows where Doc attempts to remove a bullet from some guy and tells him to take a swig of whiskey because it's really going to hurt.\n\nDistilled liquor is more likely to be used as an antiseptic than anesthesia when you have limited resources.\n\nAdditionally, since alcohol can temporarily relax the muscle system, some injuries may not be immediately noticed until you're sober the next day.
818195
You can drink ANYTHING your heart desires! BUT.. and i repeat BUT, DO NOT... drink while taking your pain killers!!!!! That could be suicidal, if you do. Your asking for trouble, if you drink alcohol while taking (ANY) your pain meds! SO DONT.... do both!!!!!!
272117
Yes.  I had it done last year..for maybe 6-8 months, every other week. She did my stress points and the various addiction points, as well as other points warranted by my personal situation.\nIt really doesn't hurt (except the needles between the toes and on the bottom of the foot and those only hurt going in).\nI didn't lose any weight.  Then I fell and broke my tailbone and I couldn't go because I couldn't lay on my back for the treatment, and I decided not to resume going because it wasn't doing anything but costing money.\nYears ago I also had these rubber inserts for my ears which had little fingers that were supposed to stimulate the points (acupressure) and those didn't work either.\nMy regular medical doctor is Asian and his wife is an acupuncturist (not the one I went to though) and he said that losing weight is very complicated and that acupuncture isn't the best way.  It only treats the cravings and the hormonal issues. It doesn't treat the mental issues which is really the biggest part.\nThere's a new fad going around of getting the acupuncture points in your ears stapled for weight loss.  Don't do it.\nThere's details of my acupuncture treatments on my blog.
619145
I was sent for acupuncture for nerve damage, and it did not work for me, however, there were people in the waiting room of the doctor's office that swore it had improved their condition.  It was not painful or even uncomfortable to have done.  In fact, the needles are so fine, you can't even feel them.  I say go for it.  If it works, it will be an simple solution to your problem.  If it doesn't work, you can always try something else.
155217
I will try to address each of your questions separately :)\n\nACUPUNCTURE NEEDLES\nIn America, acupuncturists use pre-sterilized, disposable needles.  Unlike syringes, they are not hollow because they are not used to inject substances into the body.  Most are made of stainless steel, but specialty needles can be found that have copper handles, or are made of gold, silver, even cobalt.  Technology allows them to be made very thin, sharp and somewhat flexible, and they usually slide in painlessly. They come in a wide variety of lengths and gauges (the link below will point you towards suppliers that have pictures and details about needles).  The majority are in little tubes, or pipettes, and this is helpful in protecting and inserting them.\n\nWHERE THE NEEDLES ARE INSERTED\nThere are well over 300 acupoints on the human body, and they lie along meridians, or energy pathways.  Furthermore, there are all kinds of acupuncture systems (scalp, hand, auricular/ear, etc) in addition to the full body kind.  Acupuncturists know where to find the points and when they should, or should not, be used.  For example, acupuncture is safe during pregnancy, but some points are contraindicated, meaning they are not to be used.  Acupuncturists are trained extensively in these matters, which is why it is important to find a qualified therapist.\n\nAcupuncture points have names, and some practitioners use a meridian/number system (e.g., SP10 is the 10th point on the Spleen Meridian) and others use the Chinese names (e.g., Shenmen).  In all cases, the points used are carefully selected and documented.\n\nSome practitioners use only a few needles and some use a greater number, like 20 or more.  How many points are used, and how deeply the needles are inserted will be determined, again, by your therapist’s style and your diagnosis.\n\nPROCESS\nThere are a number of acupuncture styles (e.g., Chinese, Japanese, Korean, 5 element, 8 principle) and they all vary slightly.  Generally, an acupuncturist will evaluate you and determine a course of treatment.  Sometimes they will take your pulse and examine your tongue.  Sometimes they will palpate (press on) your abdomen or study your face.  Most will ask a lot of questions.  These are reliable, valid measurements as long as the therapist has received proper training.\n\nYour therapist will explain to you the risks and benefits of acupuncture therapy, a process you expect before any medical therapy.  \n\nOnce you have been assessed, you will most likely relax on a comfortable table.  Your therapist may take a moment to find the acupuncture point by pressing around the area, feeling your body's muscle and bone structure.  Usually the area where the needle will go will be swabbed with alcohol.  Then the needle is inserted.  Sometimes you will feel a slight pinch, like a little bug bite, as the needle goes in.  Most of the time, you will feel nothing uncomfortable at all.  Many people are surprised by how painless this process is.\n\nOnce the needles are in, you might be left to relax with the lights down low, and you can fall asleep if you feel like it.  Acupuncture can be very relaxing.  Some people report feeling a local, dull pressure where a needle is, and that is normal.\n\nDepending on your condition, you might rest with the needles in for 20 minutes to an hour.  This, once again, depends on the style of acupuncture, plus your diagnosis.\n\nSome acupuncturists use additional therapies, such massage or moxibustion, and those can take place while the needles are in, or before or after.  \n\nYour therapist will make recommendations for what to do or not do to optimize your therapy before you leave.\n\nBe sure to check out the links below for more details about the needles and about the various styles.
385611
Be cautious just in case I would say...\n\nI once was in Northern China with my husband and a whole group of Chinese-Singaporeans. We were told by our Chinese guide that we should not eat nor drink in restaurants (all kind of hepatitis A,B etc and all). The local population was not bothered though.\n\nBut us, Caucasians and Singoporean-Chinese alike were warned not to eat anything nor drink any water in restaurants. Just in case......and that was from a local Chinese guide.\n\nWe all had all our numerous shots before-hand though..but did not take the risk.\n\nSo, basically :  I don't know but better consult other expats over there..
531062
Acupuncture has been, and still is, used as a very effective cure for many things. It has been around for a few thousand years. Many people in the Western world cannot come to terms with acupuncture, but it has had many remarkable successes. I have used it myself to cure problems with wax in my ears and a minor bladder problem. \n\nAudiotapes provide self-hypnosis techniques and some contain subliminal messages behind background music or sounds such as the sea or winds. \n\nChewing Gum containing nicotine is used as a replacement. \n\nCold Turkey is generally considered the most effective method, unless of course, you are selling a product. \n\nComputer Programs can help schedule the quitting process. \n\nTapering, or Cutting Down Slowly involves gradually reducing the number of cigarettes you smoke each day until you arrive at zero. \n\nA Health Farm provides a strict regime for you to follow for a fixed period, after which you should be cured. \n\nHypnosis, like acupuncture has been used as a cure for many things, including quitting smoking. \n\nInhalers are used instead of cigarettes to provide the nicotine. Gradually the strength is reduced. They can also be inconvenient and embarrassing in some situations. \n\nPatches provide a steady supply of nicotine through the skin. The strength gradually reduces until the craving shouldn't exist. \n\nThere are various forms of Tablets which have been developed to assist people stop smoking. There can be side effects. \n\nTherapy can help uncover the reasons for smoking and develop a plan to quit smoking.
484727
NO! You tend to feel much better when you do anything after a few drinks. I was told by a personal trainer that if he drinks too much he runs home afterwards cause it avoids a hangover.
773013
yes, alcohol basically cancels out the effect of antibiotics while you are on them but once you are thru with them it is ok to get sh**faced.\n\n-Doc-
955981
Acupuncture is wonderful.  It has helped every ailment I've had, including anxiety/depression/back pain/trauma.  Several sessions do the trick.  It doesn't hurt at all.  It is very relaxing.
1161923
Heavy drinkers can have harmful reactions if they stop cold turkey, which is why there are detox centers that will provide medical supervision and medication to alleviate tremors and other side effects.  These side effects are not just psychological; they are physical.  The benefit of stopping drinking far outweighs these issues, but there needs to be medical supervision.  It is not simply an issue of them being in a bad mood because they don't have booze.\n\nAlcohol addiction is not simply something that someone overcomes; it is a life threatening illness that remains throughout the rest of a person's life.  The alcoholic can learn to live with the disease and remain sober.  There is not a cure but there is treatment.\n\nFolks, please be cautious when tossing out advice that can jeapordize someone's life!
945283
on one hand it can restrict you arteries and may cause heart attack\nbut on the other hand it is good for depression\nif you want to get off do it gradually or you ll get a bad head ache
206407
Yes!  First, you should go to your medical doctor and ask for a diagnosis.  Your M.D. might zone in on your gallbladder or liver.   If you don't have an emergency situation, then look for a qualified acupuncturist or practitioner of Chinese medicine (acupuncture is one part of Chinese medicine, which also includes herbs, massage, and more).\n\nAdditional Info:\nI couldn't find the link at the World Health Organization's Website, but the first link below gives the list of conditions treatable with acupuncture.  Digestive disorders are among them.  Go and get the tests done, but don't delay in finding yourself a qualified pracitioner of Acupuncture/Chinese Medicine.  I have included a link to NCCAOM where you can search for a therapist.
1042650
No. While researchers don't discount the placebo effect, evidence indicates that acupuncture is effective in treating certain conditions, particularly postoperative and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and the pain associated with dental surgery.