What Does Acupuncture Feel Like?
In most cases, you may hardly feel the needles. Many first-time patients are concerned that acupuncture needles will feel like hypodermic injections at the doctor’s office. They won’t. Acupuncture uses hair-thin, flexible needles that you will hardly feel when I insert them.When I gently stimulate the needles they may produce a unique sensation that Oriental medicine calls de qi. Patients often describe de qi as a heavy, achy pressure, or spreading, traveling feeling. You may also feel an “electrical” sensation moving down the meridian pathways, though this is less common.
Most patients find these acupuncture sensations deeply satisfying and leave the treatment feeling relaxed both mentally and physically. Acupuncture treatment creates deep relaxation in both mind and body.
How Many Treatments Are Necessary?
This will vary according to your individual situation. The length and frequency of treatments will depend on the type, severity, and duration of your condition as well as your general health. The benefits of acupuncture are cumulative, so generally more than one treatment is necessary. Occasionally, a single treatment will give spectacular results. Usually about 4-6 are needed to see positive changes.
For acute conditions you can expect to have 10 to 15 treatments, but you will usually begin to feel relief after just the first few. Chronic conditions may take longer to respond, depending on the type, severity, and duration of the condition. Preventative treatments and treatments for general well-being may also be scheduled on an as-needed basis. Other important considerations will be your individual response to this type of therapy and how well you follow the recommendations given to you.
