Surgery & the Value of Acupuncture Care

Why You Should Add Acupuncture to Your Pre- and Post-Surgery Care
By Dr. Jen Jorgensen, R.Ac., Dr.TCM

If you are having surgery, or have already had surgery, acupuncture supports you physically and mentally-emotionally in preparing and recovering.  Even years after having a procedure, it is valuable in restoring and regulating energy flow where the procedure occurred. Below are some ways acupuncture supports you throughout the experience.

In my practice, I sometimes combine EFT, Emotion Freedom Technique tapping, to prepare you mentally and emotionally leading up to the procedure. EFT can also benefit healing, pain, and mental-emotional recovery.

Guideline for when to treat:
Pre-surgery: the sooner the better!
Post-surgery: 
    minor procedures: wait 3-5 days; should be distal to the surgical site
​    major surgery: wait 1-2 weeks; advised to get clearance from your doctor

Pre-Operative Benefits of  Acupuncture:

• Regulates the nervous system to support the body in being in an optimal, easeful state
• ​Emotional support: there may be anxiety, scaredness, shock, disappointment, anger, grief. Acupuncture, as well as Bodymind Acupressure®, can facilitate the nervous system in processing emotions, and regulate or restore channel flow. 
• Benefits sleep​
• Optimizes physical health: acupuncture regulates how energy is circulating and supports energy flow to organ systems
• Benefits how the body adapts and responds to temporary changes, including how your system manages anaesthesia/sedation, and other substances
• Benefits the nourishment and energy flow in the area where incisions will occur.

Post-Operative Care:

• Supports internal pathways flow both deeply and superfically, where incisions might have interrupted energy circulation
• Encourages blood flow and nutrients to the systems, or physical area of the procedure
• Benefits healing and repair that is deep within the body, without needling deeply
• Treats post-experience nervous system needs; supports release in areas where the body may be holding
• Benefits positive inflammatory response, reduces swelling
• Relieves post-operative pain, nausea, sleep, slow healing
• Support healthy scar tissue; reduces the potential for adhesions, scar pain, raised scars, and discolorations
• Supports lymphatic circulation to reduce congestion and swelling
• Support mental and emotional effects that the surgery may have, including the potential for PTSD. 

Scar and Incision Care:

• The incision must be fully closed and healed before treatment can begin.
• Improves nerve response near the incision
• Benefits healthy scar formation, reducing and eliminating tightness and pain
• Supports the formation of flat, color-blended healing, treating redness, purple coloration, and pale tones
• Acupuncture surrounds the incision and should not be done into the incision scar itself

The Takeaway:

Acupuncture care treats you as a whole person, emotionally and physically, respecting your needs to feel safe and supported. It is a wholistic means of physically readying the body. Because of its regulatory effect of good energy. blood, and nutrient-waste flow, acupuncture care supports optimal recovery, reduces uncomfortable post surgical effects.