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Detox Symptoms After Acupuncture: Fatigue, Diarrhea and More
Yes, detox symptoms after acupuncture can occur. Don't worry - these are often positive signs of healing. Read more about the 10 common detox symptoms we see from time to time in our clinic.
Acupuncture is a powerful healing modality rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), known for its ability to restore balance and promote overall well-being. However, as your body adjusts and begins to release toxins and stagnant energy, you might experience some temporary detox symptoms after acupuncture. While these reactions can be surprising, they are often a positive sign that your body is responding to treatment and working to heal itself.
In our clinical practice here in Houston, we have observed a range of detox symptoms that patients may experience following an acupuncture session. We generally find that these are more likely to occur when a patient is just starting treatment, and any detox symptoms tend to improve as treatments continue. Patients who are most likely to experience symptoms are those who are highly-stressed, physically or mentally depleted, and/or who have excessive levels of inflammation.
10 Common Detox Symptoms After Acupuncture
Detox symptoms after acupuncture are fairly common and can include:
Fatigue
Fatigue is one of the most common detox symptoms after acupuncture. As your body redirects energy toward healing and repairing itself, you might feel an overwhelming sense of tiredness. Research suggests that acupuncture stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps the body enter a state of deep relaxation and healing. This redirection of energy can leave you feeling temporarily drained, but it usually subsides within a day or two. Resting, staying hydrated, and avoiding strenuous activities can support your recovery.
Rashes or Acne
Skin reactions such as rashes or acne are another common post-acupuncture symptom. In TCM, the skin is considered an eliminative organ, and toxins released through acupuncture can manifest as temporary skin flare-ups. Acupuncture can actually improve skin health over time by promoting circulation and reducing systemic inflammation. It's important to support your skin with gentle cleansing, hydration, and to avoid harsh skincare products. Herbal medicine can also support the elimination process to clear up rashes and flare-ups more quickly; talk to your acupuncturist for further support.
Headaches
Headaches after acupuncture can occur as a result of improved circulation and the release of tension from previously blocked energy pathways. We have found that patients who carry lots of tension at the base of the skull - around a point called GB20 - sometimes experience more headaches before they start to improve, as the body releases toxins and tension that have been long-held in this area. According to western research, acupuncture affects neurotransmitter levels, such as serotonin, which may be a contributing factor in developing temporary headaches. Staying hydrated, getting proper rest, and using an app like Insight Timer to do regular guided meditations can all be helpful in moving through the discomfort more quickly.
Nausea or Vomiting
Some patients may experience nausea or even vomiting as the body works to expel toxins. Acupuncture stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, also known as the “rest and digest” system. While this generally promotes relaxation, the sudden shift from a chronic state of stress or imbalance can sometimes cause temporary nausea as the digestive system adjusts. It's also not uncommon for emotions like worry, anxiety or fear to be stored in the core, and acupuncture can release these suppressed feelings, which can sometimes manifest as nausea or an unsettled stomach. Drinking warm herbal teas like ginger or peppermint and eating easily-digestible foods can help soothe nausea.
Diarrhea or Increased Urination
Increased elimination through the bowels or bladder is a natural detox reaction. Acupuncture can stimulate the body's elimination pathways, helping to expel toxins more efficiently. While this can feel inconvenient, it is typically short-lived. Patients with a TCM pattern of imbalance called "dampess" are more likely to experience this type of detox symptom after acupuncture. Continuing to stay hydrated and avoiding eating overly rich or greasy foods will help. Incorporating more root vegetables into the diet, as well as grains, like barley or Job's tears, can naturally support the body's efforts in balancing this particular pattern.
Nerve Twitches or Muscle Spasms
Temporary nerve twitches or muscle spasms can occur during or after acupuncture, as many acupuncture points overlie nerve bundles or myofascial trigger points. Because acupuncture stimulates the nervous system, influencing both sensory and motor nerves, temporary, localized muscle twitching or nerve twinges can occur as the body recalibrates. Gentle stretching or yoga, heat therapy, or alternating hot and cold compresses can help reduce discomfort.
Burning or Tingling Nerve Sensations
Some people report temporary burning or tingling sensations in their nerves after acupuncture. Often these patients have more inflammation stored in their joints or other tissues, and the stimulation of nerve endings with the increase of blood flow can contribute to this response in the body. Assisting the body by staying hydrated (coconut water is great!), taking magnesium, and soaking in an epsom salt bath can all be helpful. Rest and gentle stretches or yoga are also advised. These detox symptoms after acupuncture are often short-lived, but if you have any concerns, or if they last longer than a few days, please reach out to your acupuncturist.
Dull Aches and Pains
If tight muscles or trigger points (knots in the muscle fibers) were targeted during your session, they might feel tender or achy afterward. Acupuncture can release these trigger points, but the muscle tissue might remain sensitive for a day or two as it adjusts to its new relaxed state. Acupuncture also stimulates the body’s detoxification pathways, including the liver, kidneys, and lymphatic system. As toxins are released and flushed out of the body, temporary aches can result, much like how you might feel after a deep tissue massage or intense workout. Staying hydrated and using heat therapy or gentle self-massage can all help to ease these symptoms. They often improve or cease completely with continued acupuncture treatments, as the body becomes more aligned.
Emotional Releases
Emotional releases are a fairly common and significant detox symptom after acupuncture. As acupuncture helps unblock stagnant energy, it can also release emotions stored in the body. This may manifest as sudden feelings of sadness, anger, or even joy, sometimes accompanied by tears. Research indicates that acupuncture can regulate the nervous system and reduce emotional stress, allowing suppressed emotions to surface and be processed. Allow yourself to feel these emotions without judgment, and take time to rest and reflect. Journaling or even seeking therapy alongside acupuncture treatments can be extremely beneficial in processing old trauma or emotions that may be contributing to illness in the body. This online therapy platform has great therapists at a typically lower price point than many other online therapy services.
Releasing Old Blood
This one is less common and may sound a little freaky, but releasing old blood - either gynecologically or through stools or vomit - can sometimes occur after initial acupuncture treatments.. In TCM, old, stagnant blood or "blood stasis" is considered a source of imbalance, and as acupuncture aims to improve blood flow, old blood stagnation may be released. Gynecologically, this may present as heavier menstrual flow and/or darker blood or clots (typically followed by fewer clots and a more regular period in the following cycle) or brown spotting (which also usually resolved by the next menstrual cycle). Occasionally old, brown or black blood may present in stools or vomit, post-treatment. While it may seem alarming, this is often the body's way of clearing deeply-held stagnation, which can be a contributing factor to pain or imbalance in the body. We have generally found that this uncommon symptom only occurs when a patient first begins acupuncture treatment, and is more likely to occur in patients who have more "cold" or "stagnation" symptoms. This symptom never lasts long and with improved circulation, commonly resolves quickly. If this symptom persists more than a couple of days or feels excessive, or if the blood is brighter red, please consult your acupuncturist or healthcare provider.
Remedies for Detox Symptoms After Acupuncture
If you're experiencing any of the detox symptoms above, here are some supportive measures you can take to assist your body in the healing process:
Use Heat or Alternating Heat and Cold Compresses: Heating pads or warm baths can soothe aches, reduce nerve sensations, and improve circulation. Acupuncturists generally advise heat therapy, but if there is any swelling or inflammation, alternating heat with cold compresses can be useful. Heat helps to dilate vessels and move blood, so it can typically ease symptoms more successfully than cold therapy alone.
Rest: Prioritize rest to allow your body's energy to focus on healing.
Eat According to Your TCM Pattern: Consult with your acupuncturist for dietary
recommendations tailored to your body's unique needs. Or visit our food therapy site here to learn more about your TCM pattern(s) of imbalance and what to eat to address various symptoms and restore balance.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water or coconut water to assist your body's detoxification process. Electrolyte powders can also be helpful in hydrating from the inside out.
Give Yourself Time: True healing takes time. It is not a linear process, and it looks different for everyone. It's not always comfortable or easy, and rarely instantaneous (though we do have patients from time to time who see their symptoms shift within a couple of treatments, but this is the exception, not the rule). Trust your instincts and seek medical care if something feels truly off, but sometimes jumping to medications to numb the pain can hinder the healing process. Stay in communication with your acupuncturist and allow them to help guide you.
Embrace the Healing Process
While detox symptoms after acupuncture may feel uncomfortable, they are typically a sign of your body's effort to restore balance and vitality. Listen to your body, stay hydrated, and be patient with the healing process. If symptoms persist or feel concerning, reach out to your acupuncturist or other healthcare provider for further guidance.
Acupuncture is a journey toward better health, and occasional detox symptoms are just another step along that path. Trust in your body's wisdom, and you'll emerge feeling more aligned, balanced, and rejuvenated.
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