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Do acupuncture needles hurt?

Sometimes there is a little pinch or prick as a needle is inserted, usually in areas where there is little flesh (e.g. by the fingernails, or the sides of the nostrils). For the most part, there is little or no sensation on insertion.

Acupuncture needles are hair-thin and solid, made to actually slide between cells, not cut through them.

There may be sensations where needles have been inserted, such as warm, tingling, numbness, or distention. These are all perfectly normal, a sign that the needle has made contact with the energy flow in the body. If there is sharp pain, burning, or discomfort that doesn’t abate, the needle should be removed and either re-inserted in a slightly different location, or left out altogether.

Most people get very relaxed during a session, sometimes even falling asleep.

Are the needles safe?

I use high-quality, sterile, single-use, disposable needles. Each needle is unwrapped directly before being used, and after use placed in a biohazard container for safe discarding.

What should I expect in an acupuncture session?

First we’ll talk about your main complaints or concerns, your health history, lifestyle, and the parts of your life where you’d like to see improvement. I’ll look at your posture, and the ease with which you move. I’ll check your pulses and look at your tongue. (For more information on pulse and tongue diagnosis, please take a look at the following articles under the Complementary Medicine section on this website: Having a Finger on the Pulse, and Speaking in Tongues.) I will focus each session to best address your concerns and to help you feel as fully taken care of as possible, understanding that while I’m treating specific issues, I’m also focusing on the whole person that you are.

How many treatments will I need?

That depends on the condition(s) you are coming for, how long it has persisted, how serious it is, and your general state of health. Acute problems might need only one or a few visits; chronic conditions (longer than six months in duration) may take some time for the body to shift back to health, ease, balance.

Most people come to alternative medicine after years of either trying only Western medically based therapies for their health issues - or, on the other hand, doing nothing, as many of us ignore our aches and pains in hopes they’ll just go away.

I suggest you try a few visits and see how you do with them; then we can re-evaluate. We might want to try a different approach, or I might recommend another kind of therapy and practitioner altogether if I think that would better suit your needs.

How often should I come for treatment?

You will get more benefit from the work if you can devote some extra time to it in the beginning. Weekly treatments assist in shifting your system to enhanced health. Once you are on the right track and improving, we will schedule sessions for every other week, and then further apart. My goal is to get you functioning well on your own, coming in for tune-ups as need be, for example on a monthly or quarterly basis.

Should I eat beforehand?

It’s a good idea to have eaten something at least several hours before an acupuncture treatment. Food helps ground you, which is helpful because activating the body’s energy through acupuncture needles can sometimes make people a little “spacey”.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable, loose clothing. Pants that can be pulled up over the knees, and a button-down or loose shirt are helpful. If I need to reach acupuncture points that are not easily accessible, I’ll ask the client to disrobe as necessary, and drape them with a sheet or blanket for comfort and privacy.

How will I know if it’s working?

You will know if the acupuncture treatments are helping if you feel a lessening or elimination of your main complaint(s), an increased sense of well-being, a difference in how you approach life.

It is even usual to discover that issues or symptoms that you hadn’t even mentioned to your practitioner have decreased or gone away altogether.

Does insurance cover acupuncture treatments?

Some insurance companies do cover acupuncture visits; check with your provider to find out if they do, and if there are any restrictions (for example, only certain practitioners, or a certain number of visits).

If you have a question that is not answered here, please feel free to contact me by phone or email. I will be happy to answer your questions or concerns.

If you’re wondering whether acupuncture might help you, contact me and let’s talk.