Do acupuncture needles hurt?

Most people barely feel a thing when needles are inserted. Some people feel a slight pinch, and others ask “Is it in yet?” The reason acupuncture needles don’t give the painful sensation you might expect is because they’re very, very thin in comparison to the hypodermic needles used to give injections. Hypodermic needles are necessarily hollow so that the shot can be injected. They also have a very blunt point (actually a wedge shape) in comparison to an acupuncture needle. Forty acupuncture needles can fit into the tip of one standard 18 gauge hypodermic needle.

There are certain sensations associated with the therapeutic effects of acupuncture, which are known as de qi (pronounced “day-chee”). These may include slight cramping, heaviness, distention, tingling or electric sensation traveling along a meridian. If any discomfort is experienced, it is usually mild.

Is acupuncture safe?

Acupuncture is very safe. The average liability coverage for an acupuncturist is about $500 per year, while primary care physicians pay an average of $12,000 per year. That’s a 20:1 difference. While this may not translate into exactly a 20 to 1 difference in safety, a visit to an acupuncturist is at least as safe as a visit to your doctor, if not safer. (Sources: American Acupuncture Council Medical Economics Magazine)

Acupuncture needles are extremely safe, because they are pre-sterilized, individually packaged, and disposable. Every practitioner gets extensive training in anatomy so as to avoid accidentally inserting a needle in a place that can cause damage.

Do I have to believe in it for it to work? Does acupuncture always work?

Acupuncture and herbs work whether you believe in them or not. Good results are seen in the majority of cases. When all other treatment methods have failed, this indicates a systematic imbalance – exactly what acupuncture and herbs excel at treating.

What Should I Expect On My First Visit?

During your first office visit, we spend a lot of time getting a complete picture of your health and lifestyle. We examine the condition of your tongue (is it cracked, coated, excessively pink? etc.), and check your pulse on both wrists (the quality of your pulse gives information about possible imbalances). We’ll also ask questions about your emotional state, and specific symptoms you may have.

This is done because unlike Western medicine, we treat the whole person instead of focusing on the symptoms of your condition. The first visit can last from an hour to an hour and a half.

Your subsequent visits will be much faster. We’ll make a short review of your progress followed by an acupuncture treatment.

How often would I need to come in for treatment?

Typically acupuncture treatments are given once a week. If the condition is acute and painful, treatments may be given 2-3 times per week until the condition starts to come under control. The exact duration of treatment depends on the condition, your basic level of health, and how well you respond to acupuncture. It is variable to everyone’s individual case.

How does acupuncture work?

In Chinese medical theory, acupuncture works by balancing the body’s Qi. Qi can be described as a form of bioenergy that runs along 12 major meridians. If Qi get blocked, it shows up as an imbalance or illness. Basically, if you have a health condition, some part of your body’s system is out of whack. Chinese medical theory allows us to diagnose the imbalance… and balance it.

In Western medical theory, acupuncture stimulates the body to release natural biomolecules such as neurotransmitters, vasodilators, and hormones. The exact mechanisms which brings this about are unknown, but the effects are measurable.

A good example of this is the use of acupuncture to induce labor. One of the first things that Oriental medical students learn is that there are a few points that are absolutely forbidden to use with pregnant women. These points cause the release of oxytocin, which is the hormone that naturally induces labor. Studies have shown that using acupuncture to induce labor reduces the active (painful) phase of labor by an average of 3.6 hours.

Does insurance cover acupuncture?

Some insurers cover acupuncture. You can usually find out by calling the number on your insurance card. Nearly all PIP and accident insurances cover it.

Advantages of Acupuncture:

  1. It’s natural – All healing is done by the body’s natural healing mechanisms. Even the greatest surgeon can’t heal the smallest cut. Only the body can do that.
  2. It works with your body instead of against it – Modern medicine is miraculous, but your body’s self-healing abilities even more so. Most modern drugs work by preventing symptoms instead of helping to bring your self-healing abilities into play. Often these symptoms (such as fever, inflammation, etc.) are actually your body’s attempt to heal itself. Blocking these symptoms can give relief, at the cost of true healing.
  3. Side effects are minimal or non-existent –Experts agreeall drugs have side effects. Instead of the unbalancing effects of drugs, acupuncture and Chinese herbs work with the body’s systems to bring them back into balance. This means that physical side effects are minimal or non-existent, and never life-threatening.
  4. It is outstanding for chronic conditions – Modern medicine is exceptional at acute conditions – health problems needing immediate attention, such as infections, broken bones, trauma, and anything requiring surgery. It’s not as good at chronic conditions – health conditions that just don’t go away on their own. These persistent conditions are where Acupuncture and Oriental medicine is especially effective. Click here for a list of conditions treated (note list also includes some acute conditions.)