Are you afraid of needles but still curious about acupuncture? Acupuncture can be a fantastic treatment for a variety of ailments, but it can be scary for those who don't like the idea of being poked and prodded. Luckily, there are a few ways that you can distract yourself from the entire process.
1. Turn Up the Music
Music is an excellent way to distract yourself from anything that is going on. Slide in some ear buds and listen to relaxing music and you may not even notice the feeling of the needles. It's not impolite to listen to music during these treatments--in fact, your acupuncture practitioner may even have some suggestions as to music that you should listen to. You can also listen to an audio book, as following the story is certain to be distracting.
2. Breathe Deeply
Focus on your breathing. Try to breathe in and out both deeply and slowly. People tend to hyperventilate when they panic and this will increase their anxiety. By controlling your breathing, you can also control your emotions. If you've ever done meditation or yoga, you should already be able to calm yourself down fairly easily using this technique. Counting slowly from one to ten can also help when you feel as though your anxiety is building.
3. Watch the Process
You may not want your first acupuncture experience to actually be on you. It may ease your fears a bit to go with a friend first and watch them get the process done. You'll be able to see that your friend isn't experiencing pain or discomfort, and so you won't be as afraid of the needles when it becomes your turn.
4. Talk to Someone
In addition to the above, you might want to have someone come with you so that you can talk to them. Talking to a friend is a great way to distract yourself, and your friend will likely sense if you get anxious and be able to calm you down. You can also talk to your acupuncture practitioner, of course, but it may not be as easy to talk to them as a friend or family member.
Make sure to let your acupuncture therapist know in advance that you're dealing with a phobia. They may have some suggestions for you and will be more cautious about working on you. Once you get your first session done, you're likely to be more relaxed during your next treatments. For more tips, contact a company like Relief Acupuncture.
Share7 January 2015
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