If you’ve ever left an acupuncture session feeling unexpectedly tired, you’re not alone. Many patients experience this, especially after their first few treatments. It might seem counterintuitive after all, shouldn’t acupuncture make you feel energized?! The truth is, this kind of fatigue is a completely normal and healthy part of the healing process.
I recently made a short video explaining why this happens you can watch it here below from our Youtube Channel: ‘Why Do I Feel Tired After Acupuncture?’ In this written post, I’ll also dive into what’s happening in your body, why it’s a good sign, and how to support your recovery afterward.
What’s Happening in Your Body
Acupuncture works on multiple levels, physically, neurologically, and energetically. One of the main ways it helps the body heal is by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, often referred to as the “rest and digest” system.
When your parasympathetic system kicks in, your body shifts out of the “fight or flight” mode. Blood flow, energy, and metabolism adjust, muscles release tension, and your organs get a chance to recharge. This sudden shift can make you feel sleepy, relaxed, or even a little heavy almost like your body is powering down after running on adrenaline.
From a Chinese medicine perspective, this fatigue can be seen as a sign that your Qi (energy) is starting to move more smoothly. Blockages or stagnation are being released, and your body is recalibrating. Feeling tired afterward is actually a good sign that your system is responding to treatment and integrating change.
How Long Does This Fatigue Last?
For most people, feeling tired after acupuncture lasts a few hours to a day. Some may experience a short napiness immediately afterward, while others notice a gentle wave of relaxation that continues into the evening. In my experience this generally happens early on in the treatment process also and does not go on for very many treatments as we rebalance your system to a more sustainable point. In any case, it’s nothing to worry about it simply gives us useful information to help guide your care.
How to Support Your Recovery
There are a few simple ways to make this post-acupuncture tiredness more comfortable and even enhance the benefits of your session:
- Rest or take it easy: Your body is doing important work internally, so gentle movement or downtime is ideal.
- Stay hydrated: Acupuncture can shift fluids and metabolism, so drinking water helps your system reset.
- Avoid alcohol or excessive caffeine: Your body is in repair mode, and these substances can interfere with that process.
- Notice changes over 24–48 hours: Pay attention to your energy, mood, sleep, and digestion. This is where the real benefits of acupuncture show up. I call these the positive side effects!
The Takeaway
Feeling tired after acupuncture is usually a sign that your body is unwinding, rebalancing, and resetting. It’s part of the process of restoring energy, relieving tension, and supporting overall health.
Curious to learn more? If you’re in Tucson and want to experience acupuncture for yourself, you can schedule a session at Common Roots Acupuncture here
