The weeks after surgery are a strange time. The procedure is done, the hard part is supposedly over, and yet you are sore, tired, stiff, sleeping badly, and often on medication you would rather not be taking for long. It is also exactly the time when getting to an appointment is hardest.

What acupuncture adds

Acupuncture is increasingly used in hospitals and rehabilitation settings as part of post-operative care. Reviews of clinical trials have found that patients who receive acupuncture after surgery report less pain and use less pain medication than those who do not, and some studies suggest faster return of normal bowel function after abdominal surgery. It is also useful for the things that come with recovery: poor sleep, nausea from medication, anxiety, and the muscle tension that builds around a healing incision.

In an era when everyone is trying to use fewer opioids, having a non-drug option for pain is not a small thing.

When to start

Practitioners differ on timing, and the honest answer is that it depends on the surgery. Some patients benefit from treatment within days for nausea, anxiety, and general pain, using points well away from the surgical site. Work closer to the incision waits until the tissue has healed enough. Cara will ask about your procedure, your surgeon's instructions, and your current medications, and will coordinate with your surgical team when appropriate. Nothing is done near a healing wound without clearance.

Why at home

You cannot drive. Sitting in a waiting room hurts. Getting dressed and out the door takes most of the energy you have. A home visit removes all of that. Cara brings a portable table, but many post-surgical patients are treated in their own bed or recliner, in whatever position is comfortable, and rest in place afterward.

Between visits

  • Move a little, often. Short walks around the house beat one long effort.
  • Eat warm, easy food. Recovery digestion is delicate.
  • Sleep is not optional. If pain is keeping you awake, say so; it is treatable.

If you have surgery scheduled or are recovering now, talk with Cara about whether a series of home visits suits your recovery plan.