Is Acupuncture Painful?

Acupuncture generally is not painful.

More Info: When performed by a certified professional, most patients do not describe acupuncture as painful.

Acupuncture Needles versus Hypodermic Needles

Acupuncture needles are solid, slender rods made of stainless steel. The FDA regulates them to be single use and sterile. Unlike hypodermic needles that are hollow and require cutting edges to penetrate the skin (as pictured above), acupuncture needles vary in size from the width of a hair strand to the width of a sewing needle.

What Does It Feel Like?

The sensation a patient feels depends on the size of the needle, the depth of penetration, and the patient's sensitivity. Feelings associated with the needle insertion are often referred to as warmth, numbness or itching, or a heaviness or distended feeling. All are signs that the acupuncture is stimulating the area.

How It Works

The theory behind traditional Chinese medicine is that the body maintains balance through two energies, yin and yang. This flow of energy is called qi. When these energies become blocked that is when illness occurs. Acupuncture works to stimulate points along meridians to balance the body's energy back into balance.

US Food and Drug Administration"CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21"www.accessdata.fda.gov

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics "You're a What? Acupuncturist - OOQ Online, Summer 2002"http://www.bls.gov

Asian Institute of Medical Studies"Acupuncture FAQs"http://www.asianinstitute.edu

"Is Acupuncture Painful?." Sophisticated Edge. N.p., n.d. Web. . <http://www.sophisticatededge.com/is-acupuncture-painful.html>.

Quote: "However, the acupuncture needles do not have a cutting edge, and they have an extremely thin and pointed end. And as they are inserted they simply push the fibers of the skin away and do not cut them. As a result they don't cause any pain. In the majority of cases patients don't feel anything at all as the needles are inserted or removed."

Source: Dr. Nader Soliman Does Acupuncture Hurt?

American Academy of Medical Acupuncture

Quote: "No, Acupuncture does not hurt. It is normal when a patient sometimes feels heaviness, aching or tingling around the site of the needle insertion. The Acupuncture needles used are very fine and thin, and are unlikely to cause any discomfort. In general, most patients describe acupuncture as very relaxing."

Source: Dr. Rubina Tahir Medical Acupuncture

www.rabinatuhir.com

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