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Frequently Asked Questions
What is an acupuncture treatment like?
 If you are afraid of needles, rest assured that acupuncture needles are nothing like the hypodermic needles you may be familiar with. The pre-sterilized, disposable acupuncture needles are ultra-thin, flexible and their insertion is usually painless. You may feel a brief
sensation as the needle first penetrates the skin, or you may not even be aware that the needle has been inserted. Many first-time patients are surprised to find that acupuncture is quite comfortable.
If you are new to acupuncture, here is what you can expect during a treatment:
Assessment involves asking questions about your chief complaint and general health, after which I may feel your pulse on both wrists and ask to briefly look at your tongue. I will then palpate several points on the body in order to devise an appropriate treatment and begin placing the needles.
Once a needle is at the desired depth, it is stimulated to obtain a reaction in the tissue which often feels like a mild ache or a sensation of tingling, numbness, traveling warmth, or heaviness. The Chinese call this sensation
de qi ("duh chee"). Your feedback at this point is encouraged, as obtaining the
de qi response is considered essential to successful treatment. As with massage, if there is any discomfort it is usually brief and mild. The needles are then left in place for about twenty minutes while you rest. Additional techniques like electro-acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, or gua sha may also be applied.
An initial visit will take about an hour and a half, with follow-up treatments lasting roughly forty minutes to an hour. Most people find the experience deeply relaxing and some even fall asleep during treatment.
Therefore, it is best not to plan strenuous activities immediately afterward.
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