Why You Feel “Floaty” After Acupuncture (and Why It’s a Good Thing)

Bodhi TCM Acupuncture | Melbourne FL | Wellness list - 10/7/2025

Last week, one of our patients told me she felt like a marshmallow after her treatment 😂.

Others describe it as:

“Like I just woke up from a nap I didn’t know I needed."

“Clear-headed but kind of dreamy.”

Sound familiar?

This feeling is completely normal and actually a very good sign.

Let’s break down what’s happening 👇

What the “floaty” feeling really means

That sensation means your nervous system has finally shifted out of “fight-or-flight” mode.

During your acupuncture treatment in our Melbourne FL office, we activate the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of the body responsible for healing, digestion, and deep rest.

Here’s what your body starts doing:

✅ Slowing your heart rate

✅ Regulating your breath

✅ Releasing stored tension

✅ Improving blood flow to the brain and gut

✅ Shifting your brainwaves into a calmer state

It’s like flipping a switch from stress to restoration.

And if your body is used to staying “on” all the time, that shift can feel unfamiliar at first.

What to do when it happens:

Don’t worry. That floaty feeling usually passes within 30 to 60 minutes.

Here’s how we tell our patients to support the process:

• Stay hydrated

• Avoid intense activity or sudden temperature changes (like a cold plunge or sauna)

• Give your body time to integrate

• Take a short walk or sit quietly before driving

• Skip the caffeine and stimulants

Some patients even take a nap or journal/ self reflect afterward because it’s often in that quiet space where real healing begins.

I explain it all in this video:

☯️ Acupuncture with us isn’t just about pain relief.

That's why all of our treatments help your body shift into a state where it can actually heal.

And for many patients, this is the first time in a long time their system feels safe enough to let go. 

In health,

Dr. Andrea Izquierdo, L.Ac.

P.S. f you enjoy learning simple ways to support your body naturally, join our private wellness list here.