on July 26, 2017
As an acupuncturist and someone who has been getting acupuncture for over 10 years, I find myself often forgetting that the idea of acupuncture is still something that makes many people nervous.
Typically prior to getting acupuncture our only experience of needles is at times when we are either getting shots, giving blood or getting a tattoo. Each of these situations uses needles over 10 times the size of an acupuncture pin and they involve either injecting something into the body or taking something out. All things considered, during these situations of course it is going to hurt! Acupuncture needles however are literally thinner than a whisker and their insertion into the body is often unnoticeable.
I treat babies that don’t flinch, three year olds who ask for more pins and many adults who fall asleep during their session because they are so relaxed.
When the pins are inserted, it is normal to feel a temporary dull ache or heaviness at the location of the pin. Other times people feel warmth or energy swirling throughout their body. I’ve even had one client report they felt like northern lights were dancing in their body and another say that it felt like a flower was blooming at each pin’s location. All of these sensations illustrate that the body’s energy is circulating and that the pins are doing their job to help you become energetically balanced and healthy.
There are so many benefits to acupuncture and Chinese medicine, that it would be a shame to not pursue treatments out of fear of something so relaxing, meditative and wonderful. So no, rest assured acupuncture doesn’t hurt. I recommend giving it a try as you may be shocked at how much better you feel and how much you like it.