By Dr. Ivy Wang, Master Degree in Medicine, Dr. of TCM, Dr. of Ac.

Getting Acupuncture is beneficial to one’s wellness in many ways, such as: unblock meridians, enhance Qi and blood circulation, strengthen the body & resistance, and eliminate pathogenic factors. After receiving acupuncture, it’s crucial to observe certain precautions to ensure optimal recovery and avoid potential complications, thus, it’s essential to heed the following precautions post-treatment:

1. Avoid Bathing Post-Acupuncture Treatment:

Refrain from bathing immediately after acupuncture. The needle punctures on the skin’s surface and the dynamic changes in meridian energy suggest waiting at least two hours before bathing. Bathing too soon may provoke inflammation and infection, given the body heightened sensitivity of the meridians to external stimuli which may lead to disorder in the flow of Qi and blood in the meridians.

2. Avoid Vigorous Exercise:

Steer clear of vigorous physical activities like aerobics, basketball, swimming, or sauna sessions post-acupuncture. Intense exercise could induce excessive sweating, potentially compromising the effectiveness of acupuncture in regulating Qi and blood flow within the meridians. Opt for gentle activities such as walking, qigong, or yoga after a brief two-hour rest period to optimize therapeutic benefits.

3. Cold Exposure Precaution:

Within the first 24 hours following acupuncture, avoid exposure to cold water and ensure adequate warmth to prevent chilling of acupuncture points, particularly on the head, face, and neck. Shield yourself from wind and air conditioning as per traditional Chinese medicine principles, as cold exposure may invite external pathogens into the meridians, resulting in local stiffness, pain, or even cold-like symptoms.

4. Dietary Considerations:

Abstain from alcohol consumption post-acupuncture to prevent skin congestion or subcutaneous bleeding. Additionally, avoid raw, cold, spicy, or irritating foods that may interfere with treatment efficacy and irritate the gastrointestinal tract, causing discomfort. Opting for nourishing foods tailored to your condition will help with speedy recovery.

Following these precautions and dietary recommendations can optimize your post-acupuncture recovery and promote overall well-being.

Examples of cough symptoms and dietary recommendations & restrictions:

• Cold cough: Characterized by aversion to cold and the presence of white phlegm during coughing. Recommended foods include warm and pungent options such as cinnamon, dried tangerine peel, and ginger tea aid in dispelling cold. Foods to avoid include cold foods, excessive fruit intake, dairy products, and cold drinks.
• Hot cough: Characterized by thick, difficult-to-expel yellow phlegm, dry mouth, a bitter taste, and a sore throat. Recommended foods include lotus root, white radish, mung beans, and pears, which help clear heat and transform phlegm. Dietary therapy options include radish water, snow pear water, and chrysanthemum tea. Foods to avoid include warm, nourishing options like chili peppers, mangoes, cherries, longan, lychee, fried foods, spicy foods, and dairy products.
• Dry cough: Typically presents as a dry cough without phlegm, accompanied by throat irritation, dry mouth, and a scratchy throat. Foods that moisten the lungs and generate fluids, such as snow pears, honey, apples, and white fungus, are recommended. Avoid spicy, fragrant, fried foods, barbecue, chips, curry, onions, garlic, and strongly flavored foods.

For all of these types of coughs, it’s advised to avoid dairy products, ice-cold beverages, greasy and sugary foods, barbecued, and fried foods as they can exacerbate symptoms by stimulating mucus production which worsen the cough symptoms.

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