“Does acupuncture hurt” is the most common question asked about acupuncture and it’s easy to see why. People often have unpleasant memories of the numerous injections from childhood.
Acupuncture is one of the most familiar therapies commonly associated with Oriental medicine. It has been used for thousands of years and its effectiveness is well documented.
Acupuncture helps to heal different illnesses and to promote health.
The process involves inserting needles into specific points on the body to activate energy known as Qi (pronounced “chee”) in the body. Acupuncture balances the body’s energy flow to help people manage emotional, mental, and physical health.
Despite its long history, several questions tend to come up when people consider to try acupuncture for the first time.
So, Does Acupuncture Hurt?
The fact is that the needles used in acupuncture and medical syringes used for injections are quite different.
You will notice on close examination that a medical syringe is hollow for transmitting medicine, while acupuncture needles are made of thin solid stainless steel.
The most obvious difference between the two types of needles is size.
Medical syringes for injection vary in size from approximately 0.5 to 1.6 mm in diameter. By comparison, acupuncture needles are much thinner and range in size from 0.12 to 0.30 millimeters in diameter.
Japanese-Style versus Chinese-Style Acupuncture
In addition to the variation in needle sizes, another factor affecting your comfort level is the different acupuncture styles.
Japanese-style acupuncture uses fine needles, and the needling depth is shallow. Chinese-style uses thicker needles, in order to enable more aggressive and deeper needling.
Some people find the latter aggressive style uncomfortable. First-time acupuncture patients may want to begin with Japanese-style acupuncture.
What Does Acupuncture Feel Like?
Because the needles are very thin and are placed carefully, patients may not feel them at insertion. This often surprises people trying acupuncture for the first time.
A tingling sensation may be felt around the needles during the session. That is the body’s energy reacting to the treatment and it is normal. Other common sensations from needling are heaviness, electric sensation, or warmth. Some people may not feel those sensation, but often feel relaxed or energized.
So, to answer the question does acupuncture hurt, consider this that if there is any type of discomfort, it is very brief and usually disappears within a minute or two. But if it is greater than a small bug bite, the acupuncturisthttps://www.webmd.com/pain-management/ss/slideshow-acupuncture-overview should be informed. The needles would be adjusted to eliminate the sensation.
Finally, acupuncture is a medicine that many people benefit from, as it improves the state of the body and mind. It offers a chance to relax. If you want to heal traditionally, use acupuncture and see this happening. Take time to experience what acupuncture feels like to you.
If you’re wondering does acupuncture hurt and want to learn more, contact Dr. Sage for an acupuncture consultation to discuss your specific situation and the different acupuncture treatments that are available.
