No, the needles do not hurt. In fact, most people barely feel anything when needles are inserted. Some people feel a slight pinch, and others ask “Is it in yet?” Acupuncture needles are solid, flexible, and very, very thin (about the width of two hairs).

Acupuncture is widely acknowledged as one of the safest forms of medicine. Acupuncture needles are pre-sterilized, individually packaged, and disposable. Acupuncturists undergo extensive training and are regulated by the individual states’ medical board.

The frequency of treatment depends on your medical condition. One of the benefits of the payment sliding scale is that allows patients to come in frequently, often two to three times per week.

In Chinese medical theory, acupuncture works by balancing the body’s Qi. Qi can be described as a form of bioenergy that runs along meridians. If Qi gets blocked, it shows up as an imbalance or illness. Basically, if you have a health condition, some part of your body’s system is out of whack. Chinese medical theory allows us to diagnose the imbalance… and balance it. In Western medical theory, acupuncture appears to work by stimulating parts of the brain. It also stimulates the body to release natural biomolecules such as neurotransmitters, vasodilators, and hormones. The exact mechanisms which bring this about are unknown, but the effects are measurable.

When people come in for the first time, they aren’t sure how long they should stay and rest with the needles in. We often tell our patients to stay for at least 30 minutes for the treatment to take effect.

Acupuncture has been used successfully to treat children and animals, neither of which have preconceived beliefs about its effectiveness. As with any healing system, a positive outlook and lifestyle can reinforce the effects of treatment.