Acupuncture needles are made of stainless steel and are flexible. They are about the diameter of a strand of hair. They are inserted at different depths depending on the location of the acupuncture point. In Classical Five Element Acupuncture the needle depths used are shallower than in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine).
Acupuncture needles generally do not cause significant pain. They are much thinner than regular medical needles. Many people describe the sensation as a slight tingling, pressure, or dull ache rather than pain. In some cases, you may feel a brief pinch or slight discomfort when the needle is inserted, but this typically does not last very long. Since acupuncture needles are so fine, if you do not feel “anything” upon needle insertion, it is likely the acupuncture point was missed. It is when the needle connects with the chi energy that “some” sensation should be felt. The skill of the acupuncturist, the location of the acupuncture point can also affect what the patient feels.
After the needles are inserted, many people report a sense of relaxation, and some even fall asleep during the session. In Classical Five Element Acupuncture, the needles are inserted and removed very quickly, using only one acupuncture point at a time. There are a few treatments where the needles may be retained or left in for a period of time.
In the United States licensed acupuncturists are required to use only sterilized single-use acupuncture needles.
If you have a fear of needles, and you do give acupuncture a try, you might be pleasantly surprised at how different they feel from medical needles used for injections or IVs. Those needles are quite a bit thicker than an acupuncture needle.
