What Not to Do After Acupuncture: Dos and Don'ts

You have just had acupuncture, you feel relaxed and perhaps a little sleepy, and now you are wondering what you should and should not do for the rest of the day. The good news is that acupuncture aftercare is simple. A few sensible steps help you get the most from your session and avoid feeling off afterwards.

This guide covers what not to do after acupuncture, what to eat, whether you can shower or exercise, specific advice after cupping, facial and fertility acupuncture, what is normal afterwards and when to get help.

Quick answer

After acupuncture, rest for the remainder of the day, avoid strenuous exercise, alcohol and heavy meals for a few hours, drink water and eat normally. A warm shower is fine, but wait a few hours before saunas, very hot baths or swimming. Feeling tired, slightly sore or emotional is normal and usually passes within 24 hours.

What not to do after acupuncture

• Do not do intense exercise the same day. A hard gym session, long run or heavy lifting can leave you feeling drained and may cancel out the relaxation. Gentle walking is fine.
• Do not drink alcohol for a few hours. Many people feel more sensitive to alcohol after treatment, and it interferes with sleep and recovery.
• Do not eat a very heavy meal straight away. Eat normally, but avoid a large, rich or very spicy meal immediately after your session.
• Do not overdo caffeine. It can undo the calming effect, especially if you had treatment for stress or sleep.
• Do not rush back into a stressful schedule. If you can, leave a little quiet time after your appointment.
• Do not press or massage bruises. Small bruises occasionally appear and fade on their own.
• Do not stop medication because you feel better. Always speak to your GP first.

What to do after acupuncture

• Drink water through the rest of the day
• Eat normally, ideally a light, warm meal
• Rest, and go to bed at a sensible time
• Notice how you feel over the next few days, so you can tell your practitioner at your next visit
• Keep up the exercises or advice your practitioner gave you

What to eat after acupuncture

There is no special diet after acupuncture. A light, balanced meal is ideal: soup, rice or grains with vegetables, eggs or fish. Avoid arriving hungry, as needling on an empty stomach can make some people feel faint, and avoid a very heavy or spicy meal immediately afterwards. Practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine often suggest warm, cooked food rather than cold or raw food on the day of treatment.

Can you shower after acupuncture?

Yes. A normal warm shower is fine. Some practitioners suggest waiting a few hours before a shower, partly to let you rest and partly to keep the tiny needle sites clean, but there is no strict medical reason to avoid a warm shower. It is sensible to wait a few hours before very hot baths, saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs or swimming pools, as heat and chlorinated water can leave you feeling light-headed or irritate the skin.

Can you exercise after acupuncture?

Gentle activity such as walking, stretching or yoga is fine. Leave intense exercise until the next day. If your acupuncture was part of an injury plan, follow your practitioner's or physiotherapist's advice about when to restart training.

What not to do after acupuncture and cupping

Cupping leaves circular marks that usually fade within a few days to two weeks. After cupping:

• Keep the area warm and covered, especially in cold weather
• Avoid saunas, hot tubs and swimming for 24 hours
• Avoid sunbathing on the marked areas until they fade
• Do not scrub or exfoliate the marks

See how long cupping marks last, does cupping hurt and cupping therapy explained.

What not to do after facial or cosmetic acupuncture

• Avoid make-up for a few hours if you can, to keep the needle sites clean
• Avoid facials, exfoliants, retinoids and acids for 24 hours
• Avoid saunas, steam and intense exercise for the rest of the day
• Do not touch or pick at any tiny bruises

Read our facial acupuncture guide.

What not to do after fertility acupuncture

There are no special restrictions after fertility acupuncture beyond the general advice above. If you are going through IVF, follow your fertility clinic's guidance, particularly around embryo transfer, and tell your acupuncturist about each stage of your cycle. See fertility acupuncture in London.

What to do before acupuncture

• Eat a light meal one to two hours beforehand
• Wear loose clothing that can be rolled up
• Avoid alcohol beforehand
• Bring a list of your medicines and tell your practitioner if you are pregnant, take blood thinners or have a pacemaker

What is normal after acupuncture

• Tiredness or deep relaxation. Very common, especially after the first sessions.
• Mild soreness or heaviness at needle sites, usually gone within a day.
• Small bruises, which fade within a few days.
• Feeling emotional. Some people feel tearful or emotionally lighter, which passes.
• A short flare of symptoms for a day before improvement, which some people notice.

See acupuncture side effects for more detail.

When to get help

Call 999 if you develop sudden breathlessness or chest pain after acupuncture, particularly after needling on the chest, upper back or shoulders. This is very rare but needs urgent assessment.

Contact your practitioner or GP if a needle site becomes red, hot, swollen or painful, or you feel unwell or feverish, as these can be signs of infection.

Frequently asked questions

How long should I rest after acupuncture?

Taking it easy for the rest of the day is ideal. Most people return to normal activities the next day.

Can I drink coffee after acupuncture?

A normal cup is fine, but avoid large amounts, especially if you were treated for sleep or anxiety.

Can I drive after acupuncture?

Most people can. If you feel very sleepy or light-headed, wait until it passes before driving.

Why do I feel tired after acupuncture?

Acupuncture shifts your nervous system towards rest, which many people feel as deep tiredness. It usually means you need sleep, and it settles by the next day.

Acupuncture in Chiswick

Acupuncture is available at Omnia Lifestyle, 8 to 9 Bedford Corner, The Avenue, Chiswick W4 1LZ, close to Turnham Green station, on bus routes 94, E3 and 272. Limited parking is available on request when booking. Your practitioner will give you personal aftercare advice at the end of every session.

Read does acupuncture hurt and how long acupuncture takes to work, explore acupuncture in London, or book an appointment.

This article is general information, not medical advice. If you have any of the warning signs listed above, seek medical attention.