Acupuncture has been increasingly recommended as a treatment for allergies recently.

However, a lot of patients receiving acupuncture treatment for allergies might not be familiar with how this treatment method works. They might not be aware of the things they should be doing to prepare for their first appointment.

If you're undergoing acupuncture for allergies treatment for the first time, you should do the following six things before your first appointment:

Familiarize yourself with how acupuncture treatments work

It's a good idea to spend some time studying the history of acupuncture and how acupuncture treatments typically proceed. This will give you some important details on what to expect during treatment. Being informed could help you to feel more comfortable and relaxed at your appointment. 

Make notes on the allergy treatments you've received so far

Your acupuncturist is going to ask you a lot of questions at the beginning of your appointment. These questions will cover a wide variety of topics regarding your health.

In particular, the acupuncturist is going to ask you about what treatments you've had so far for your allergies. It's, therefore, a good idea to get a list together of any allergy medications or therapies you've been prescribed to date.

Avoid stressful activities beforehand

Relaxation is important to maximize the effectiveness of the treatment. You don't want to arrive at your appointment stressed out and rushed. 

Therefore, you should schedule your appointment for a time when your schedule will be free and you'll be relaxed. Don't schedule an acupuncture session right after a hectic workday. 

Eat enough so that you're not hungry during the appointment

Hunger can be a distraction during an acupuncture therapy session. While you don't want to be too full during your appointment, you need to make sure that you've eaten a snack beforehand to energize you. You need to have enough energy during your treatment to maximize its effectiveness. 

Watch your diet

While you should be sure to eat something beforehand, you should not consume greasy or excessively sugar loaded foods right before your appointment. You also need to abstain from alcohol consumption before your appointment. Alcohol could potentially dull your senses and reduce the effectiveness of acupuncture treatments. 

Wear suitable clothing

Your acupuncture session will be more convenient for both you and your acupuncturist if you wear loose clothing. This will make it easier for your acupuncturist to access key areas of your body for treatment without any obstacles.