It varies from patient to patient. Everyone is different and some people are more sensitive than others but in general acupuncture does not hurt. You may feel a tiny pinch or nothing at all! Once the needles are in you may feel different sensations ranging from dull, heavy, throbbing, moving sensations or no sensations at all running throughout the body- this is your “Qi”, aka your vital energy running through your body. This is perfectly normal and these feelings are good indicators that circulation is improving within the body and blockages are beginning to dissipate.
The needles themselves are strong, single-use, hair-thin needles made of stainless steel, silver or gold. They are solid and nothing like the needles used to draw blood or give injections. The needles are inserted anywhere from 0.2 cm to a few inches depending on the body/muscle part being needled.
I personally find acupuncture treatments to be very relaxing and use them as a chance to unwind, re-energize myself and even take a nap!
