What does acupuncture feel like?

Most people feel a slight prick when the needle is inserted, but it is very mild as acupuncture needles are at least 10 times thinner than injection needles.

Some people may feel a sensation of heaviness, numbness, tingling or mild soreness after the needles have been inserted. Some people may feel energy flows in the body.

Acupuncture is an ancient Eastern Medical treatment where acupuncture needles are inserted into the body. The needles are inserted into acupuncture points to adjust the Qi, or energy flow, of our body. These acupuncture points exist along energy channels called acupuncture meridians, which connect the surface of our body with our internal organs. By altering the flow of Qi, acupuncture can adjust many aspects of our mental and physical functioning, including helping us naturally detoxify from addiction and substance abuse.

Modern research indicates that when acupuncture points are stimulated, it stimulates muscle and sensory neurons to send a message to the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), causing the release of endorphins (naturally produced painkillers) and other neurotransmitters (body chemicals that modify nerve impulses), which help block the message of pain from being delivered to the brain and have other regulatory effects as well.

Is acupuncture safe?

Yes. When acupuncture is performed by a licensed practitioner with disposable needles under clean, sterile conditions. The incidence of adverse effects from acupuncture is substantially lower than that of many medications or accepted medical procedures used for the same conditions.