Is acupuncture painful?

Needles! Don’t all needles hurt? In general, acupuncture not considered a painful experience for most individuals. The perception of pain during acupuncture can vary greatly among individuals, but most people can’t feel acupuncture needles going into the skin if done correctly. Each practitioner and technique is different, as well as the styles of acupuncture. Some patients not feel any pain at all, while others may experience mild discomfort, or a sensation often described as dull, heavy, achy, tingling, or warm around the insertion site of the needles. Sensations are good— it means the point is stimulating something within the body. Sharp uncomfortable pain is not what we are looking for.

The needles used in acupuncture are extremely thin, much thinner than those used for injections or blood draws. Many people find that the sensation of the needle insertion is minimal or barely noticeable. However, there may be certain points or areas of the body where sensitivity is higher, leading to a slightly more intense sensation.

Some factors that may contribute to a patient feeling discomfort may be from:

Sensitivity: People have different pain thresholds and anxiety or fear of needles can also influence pain perception.

Technique: The technique used by the acupuncturist can affect the sensation experienced during acupuncture. For example, some practitioners may use a quick, shallow insertion technique, while others may prefer a slower, deeper insertion. The angle and depth of needle insertion can also influence the sensation felt by the patient.

Location of Acupuncture Points: Some acupuncture points may be more sensitive or located in areas where there is more muscle tension or underlying pathology. Needle insertion in these areas may result in a stronger sensation or discomfort compared to other points on the body.

Qi Sensation: In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncturists aim to achieve a sensation known as "de qi" or "qi sensation" when inserting needles. This sensation can vary from a dull ache to tingling or warmth around the needle. Some patients may interpret this sensation as discomfort or pain, while others may find it pleasant or therapeutic.

The goal of the needles is not to inflict pain. During your treatment, our goal is for you to relax and feel relief. It’s important to let your acupuncturist know comfort levels during treatment or if anything hurts. They can adjust the depth of needle insertion to minimize discomfort while still effectively targeting the acupuncture points.