What Acupuncture Feels Like - A Simplified Perspective
The first thing I need to bring up when it comes to acupuncture is the needles. It’s really the last thing people want to try or talk about because of their experiences with getting shots and blood tests.
In this post I am going to share with you the following five things:
The difference between an acupuncture needle and a needle used for a shot or to draw blood at the doctors office.
How acupuncture needles are inserted with a guide tube.
The two separate and different steps of when a needle is inserted.
The different sensations one can experience with acupuncture.
Tips when receiving acupuncture
1. The Needles
With that being said, acupuncture needles are very different from needles used for shots and drawing blood. Acupuncture needles that I use at the clinic are 12-16 times thinner. They are as thin as a hair with the goal of having no to minimal discomfort upon insertion. I would say 90 percent of the time a patient doesn’t even feel the needle going in.
Needles are used once and only once and are disposed of as medical waste. Once the needles are in they will typically stay in from 7 to 25 minutes depending on what we are trying to accomplish.
The feeling one receives with an acupuncture needle is quite different too. Let me start by sharing how the needle is inserted.
2. Guide Tubes
An acupuncture needle is administered with the use of a guide tube. A guide tube is a plastic tube that the needle sits inside of before being inserted into the skin. What it does is allows the acupuncturist to put pressure on the skin to desensitize it so the nerves at the surface of the skin don’t feel the needle going in. It really works. With a guide tube you hardly ever even feel the needle tap in. This is so different from a needle for a shot and for drawing blood that is thicker and inserted with a free handed jab.
3. The Steps Insertion
There are two steps for inserting a needle. The first is when the needle is inserted with a guide tube and the second is when the needle is free handed further to a depth to elicit a sensation. That’s it. Two steps.
Something I would like to hit home is sensation is different from pain. Sensation is a feeling that does not hurt while pain does hurt. Our primary goal with acupuncture is for you to feel sensation and NOT pain.
4. The Different Sensations
First off where you feel the sensation can arise in three different ways:
None - Sometimes you don’t feel anything and that’s okay. As the the session progresses you may start to feel sensations or maybe you won’t.
Localized - When receiving acupuncture the feeling stays in one place and doesn’t move
Radiating - The feeling centers in the area where the needle goes in and then radiates up or down or side to side or all of the above. This radiating feeling sometimes happens quickly and goes away, stays, or comes and goes.
I’m not going to sugar coat it. Most of the time the sensation is pleasant but sometimes the sensation feels foreign or uncomfortable. Foreign and uncomfortable are a good thing but pain is not. If you feel pain we immediately take out the needle. You should NEVER feel pain. It does happen once and a while but is not the norm whatsoever. Here are the different types of sensations most commonly described by patients receiving acupuncture:
These are the feelings we want to see happen and happen I’d say 90 percent of the time.
1. Tingling - It’s just as the name describes. It feels tingly in a good and pleasant way. It’s a buzzy glow feeling that brings a smile to your face. As the session goes on you start feel more relaxed and even sleepy. Most people close their eyes and end up taking a nap because it feels so good
2. Warmth - There is a warming feeling that just lets you know the needle is there and just like it feels good to have a heating pad on your body it feels good to have the warmth of a needle inside the body.
3. Muscle Jump - Sometimes the muscle will spasm when the needle is inserted which is a very good thing. It’s almost like the muscle does a wiggle and a little dance.The muscle jump can be really small and subtle or can be more profound. Even though it’s a very good thing for the body and recovery, the muscle jump can also catch you off guard and be startling. It happens to everyone and the more you do it the more natural it becomes. Sounds crazy but after a while you’ll start to crave the sensation.
These feelings we don’t want to see happen but do occasionally happen. I want to be honest and upfront that you do feel these sensations from time to time and it’s normal. It’s usually very subtle and doesn’t hurt. With a little adjusting it goes away in a second or two. Apologies in advance if any of these happen during a session.
4. Nervy - We have lots and lots of nerves in the body and once in a while you’ll feel a nervy sensation. It usually does not hurt but the intention is for you to not feel this. If you feel it for a second and it goes away that’s okay. We just don’t want it to be intense or stay. If it does tell me immediately and I’ll adjust the needle.
5. Stingy - This is a sharp feeling that will have some oomph to it. It usually will last for less than a second and go away. If it last for more than a second tell me right away and I’ll take out the needle.
6. Burning - This is similar to a nervy feeling but happens more at the surface of the skin. If you feel a burning sensation tell me as soon as you feel it and I’ll take out the need and I’ll give you some soothing words and give a massage to make it feel better.
5. Tips
Once the needles are in, limit your movements and you will be able to feel pleasant relaxing feeling instead of a stronger sensation that could come if you move
Stay relaxed and try to let your body melt into the table when you are lying down. When you tighten up or flex your muscles it can press on the needle and not feel enjoyable like it does when you stay relaxed.
Close your eyes and focus on your breath and many times you will nod off and time will drift away
Everyone has their own unique different experience with acupuncture. Most of the time when you receive your first session it’s all new sensations you would never have felt before and people describe it in many different ways.
My goal is to take things at your pace and comfort level. Feel free to book a 30 minute Comprehensive Assessment Session for $39. In addition to an assessment, we’ll answer any questions you may have and we can personally go through the “what it feels like” process and do a sample experience to see if it is right for you.