What Does Acupuncture Feel Like?

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 we insert them. When we 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.

How Many Treatments Will I Need?

The benefits of acupuncture are cumulative, so more than one treatment is necessary. 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. At the beginning, we suggest a frequency of minimum twice a week for 3 weeks for maximum benefit.  Preventative treatments and treatments for general well-being may also be scheduled on an as-needed basis.  Please visit this page for more information.

General Guidelines –

Please wear clothing that can be pushed up to your knees and elbows.  Some patients will be required to changed to hospital gown (provided) for treatment needs.

Eat something at least one hour prior to treatment. No food or drink in treatment rooms. Bottled water is provided after treatment.

Other clients may be sensitive to smoke and/or perfume. If you are a smoker, we kindly ask that you refrain from smoking one hour prior to coming to the clinic. Please do not wear perfume.

Enter the clinic quietly and speak with a soft voice. People may be sleeping.

Please make sure your cell phone is off prior to entering.

Allow one to one and a half hour for your first treatment.

Please do not talk with the other clients. Everyone is here to claim their own healing space. We think you will enjoy the quiet atmosphere.