Healing Crisis: Reactions After Acupuncture
Some people notice temporary reactions in the day or two after an acupuncture treatment. This page explains what a healing crisis is, which reactions are common, how to look after yourself — and the signs that mean you should seek medical advice.
What is a healing crisis?
A healing crisis describes the temporary reactions some people notice after an acupuncture or Chinese medicine treatment. In traditional Chinese medicine it is called a Ming Xuan reaction, and it is sometimes described as an “adjustment reaction” or “settling reaction”. Traditional Chinese medicine regards these short-lived reactions as part of the body settling and adjusting after treatment.
Not everyone has these reactions. Having one does not mean something has gone wrong — and equally, having no reaction does not mean a treatment has not worked. Everyone responds differently, and your own response may vary from visit to visit.
Common reactions in the first 24–48 hours
After a treatment, some people notice one or more of the following. These are usually mild and settle on their own within 24–48 hours:
- Feeling tired, sleepy or deeply relaxed
- Mild tenderness, itching or a small bruise where the needles were placed
- Temporary muscle aches or a mild headache
- Feeling unusually warm, or a little chilly
- A brief flare-up of the symptoms you came in with, before they settle again
- Mild changes in digestion, sleep or emotions, such as vivid dreams or feeling teary
Cold-like symptoms such as sneezing or a runny nose, and short-lived changes in bowel habits, are also occasionally reported. If any of these are severe, or they do not begin to ease within a couple of days, please contact us — the sections below explain when to get medical advice.
Why do these reactions happen?
Acupuncture involves fine needles being placed into the skin and muscles, so some short-lived local tenderness or a small bruise is a normal physical response. Feeling tired or very relaxed after a session is also common.
Traditional Chinese medicine offers its own explanation: it describes a Ming Xuan reaction as part of the body’s natural settling process, in which Qi (traditionally translated as “vital energy”) adjusts along the meridians after treatment. This is a traditional framework rather than a medical diagnosis, and it is one way of understanding why reactions are usually brief and pass on their own. You can read a general overview of acupuncture on the Better Health Channel, or learn more about our approach to Chinese medicine in Adelaide.
How to look after yourself during a healing crisis
Most reactions need nothing more than simple self-care while they settle:
- Rest, and allow yourself an early night
- Drink plenty of warm water, and avoid alcohol and excess caffeine for 24 hours
- Keep the treated areas warm, and avoid very hot showers or baths on the day
- Choose gentle movement over strenuous exercise or heavy lifting
- Eat warm, easy-to-digest meals
- Continue taking any medications prescribed by your doctor as usual
- Make a note of what you noticed and when — this helps your practitioner tailor your next acupuncture treatment
How long should a healing crisis last?
Most reactions ease within 24–48 hours, and tiredness usually passes within a day or two. A reaction that is getting steadily worse, or has not started to improve after two to three days, is a reason to get in touch rather than wait it out.
When to contact us
Please call us on (08) 8221 5880 or email service@acupunctures.com.au if:
- A reaction feels stronger than the mild ones described above
- Symptoms have not started to settle after 48 hours
- You are simply unsure whether what you are feeling is expected
We would always rather hear from you than have you worry at home. Your practitioner can talk through what you are noticing and, if needed, adjust your next treatment.
When to seek medical care instead
A small number of symptoms are not part of a healing crisis and need prompt medical attention. Call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department if you have:
- Chest pain, difficulty breathing, or fainting
- A severe or rapidly worsening headache
- New weakness, numbness, or difficulty speaking
See your doctor promptly if you notice:
- Increasing redness, swelling, warmth or discharge at a needle site, or a fever — possible signs of infection
- Severe pain, or pain that keeps getting worse
- Bleeding or bruising that seems more than minor
- Any symptom that is severe, unusual for you, or worrying
Seeking medical care is always the right choice when you are in doubt. You are welcome to let us know afterwards so we can note it in your record.
Visit Our Adelaide City Clinic
City Acupuncture Pain Clinic
Level 1, West Wing, 50 Grenfell Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8221 5880
Email: service@acupunctures.com.au
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
Saturday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Related: how many acupuncture sessions
Related reading: What to expect after acupuncture.