Seattle Wellness Group: Do Acupuncture Needles Hurt?

Seattle Wellness Group: Does Acupuncture hurt?

One of the most frequently asked questions about acupuncture is, “do the needles hurt?” Acupuncture needles are thin, closer to the thickness of a hair than the hypodermic needles used in shots that we are used to. The needle is solid, with no medicine inside. Healing effects of acupuncture depend on proper diagnosis, selection of points, and correct administration of technique. Most or our acupuncture patient’s in Seattle Wellness Group find the treatments relaxing and sleep while benefiting from the therapeutic value of the needles.

There are a variety of factors that come into play about a person’s sensitivity to acupuncture needles, including a person’s constitution. Stronger techniques and greater needles are reserved only for those who can tolerate it. Those who are deficient need less needles, shallower depth, and gentler techniques. Our practitioner is skilled through thousands of treatments to individually tailor each patient’s needs.

The desired effect of needles is a dull, achy, warm, or radiating sensation. The sensation may last for a moment and can linger for several minutes. Following treatment, patients can have slight bruising, swelling, or a sore sensation. These are the only negative side effects that result from correct acupuncture needling.