In China there is a saying, “if there is pain, there is no free flow; if there is free flow, there is no pain.” Acupuncture promotes and reestablishes the free flow of qi. It adjusts the flow of qi in the body, leading it to areas where it is insufficient and draining it from areas where it is stuck.
Does it hurt?
Acupuncture needles are very thin, typically not much thicker than a hair. In some cases, you will not even know the needles are in place. In others, there may be some tingling, warmth, heaviness or a feeling of the qi moving up and down the channels. Most people find acupuncture extremely relaxing and many fall asleep during treatment.
I asked some of the people I've treated the question "Does acupuncture hurt?". Here are some of their replies:
My
experience has been wonderful! I could really compare it to getting a
massage-it’s relaxing, calming and helps relieve my pain. I would
recommend acupuncture to anyone with the clear message of “It does
not hurt!”
KS
If
someone comes to me about acupuncture I tell them it is not painful
at all. The needles are so small you really don’t feel them.
Acupuncture is very relaxing. After a treatment I walk out pain
free. I would recommend to anyone having pain, try it.
SC
Very
relaxing. Fell asleep during treatment. Totally
comfortable!
SG
I
was always scared of the thought of needles covering my entire back
and pictured a scene from a movie or something. Acupuncture is the
opposite of what I thought. It’s painless, relaxing and it
has worked for me. It is worth trying without a doubt.
GD
My
experience with acupuncture has been positive. I sought treatment
for headaches, trigger points and muscle spasms because conventional
therapy was not working well for me. After only a few treatments I
experienced relief. I knew that acupuncture used special needles
that barely penetrated the skin. As far as hurting, if that
were truly the case, why would so many people choose that particular
type of treatment and keep coming back for more?
KM
I
have always been scared of needles and I am fifty years old. I have
heard that acupuncture has helped so many of my friends. Still I was
too scared to try. My daughter finally said “Mom, you gave birth
to two kids. What could be worse?” So in I went, thinking I’m
not going to like this, but not wanting to look like a wimp! Well,
you guessed it. I survived and and very nicely. Let’s just say I
wished I had not waited so long. The needles did not hurt, who knew?
Plus it has really helped with my arthritis. Just to say, I am a
regular patient.
How many treatments will I need?
That depends upon the duration, severity, and nature of your pain. You may need only a single treatment for an acute condition. A series of five to fifteen treatments may resolve many chronic problems. Some degenerative conditions may require many treatments over time.
Are the needles clean?
Yes, only sterile, disposable needles are used.
Kathy West, L.Ac., 624 W. Hastings Rd., Suite16, Spokane, WA 99218, (509) 879-2480
