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Is Acupuncture Safe?
Acupuncture is considered one of the safest complementary treatments when performed by a qualified practitioner. Adverse effects are rare and typically minor, such as slight bruising or soreness at the needle sites. Compared to other complementary therapies, acupuncture has one of the lowest rates of serious adverse events, making it a safe option for treating various health conditions. Ensuring your practitioner is well-trained and certified further enhances both the safety and effectiveness of the treatment.
Does Acupuncture Hurt? Is Acupuncture Painful?
Acupuncture isn’t really painful. The needles used are very fine, much thinner than the hypodermic needles for injections. Often, guide tubes are used to distract the area, and with the finest needles, you may not feel anything at all.
When the sterile needle passes through the skin, there might be a slight sensation, but it’s usually minimal. Common sensations during acupuncture can include a feeling of heaviness, warmth, or a spark-like sensation, though these are typically not uncomfortable. In fact, many patients feel so relaxed that they fall asleep during treatment!
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If you're nervous about needles, don't worry—acupuncture is just one approach in Chinese medicine. Techniques like laser acupuncture, acupressure, dermal needle patches, dietary advice, and herbal medicine can also be effective, so you can still benefit without acupuncture itself.
Are Acupuncture Needles Clean and Sterile?
Yes, acupuncture needles are sterilised and used only once before being safely discarded immediately after the treatment.
How Big Are Acupuncture Needles?
Acupuncture needles come in a variety of sizes, chosen based on their specific use and the practitioner’s preference. Typically, they measure between 0.12 millimetres (mm) and 0.35 mm in diameter, with lengths ranging from 13 mm to 130 mm. Some specialised needles, designed for particular techniques or areas of the body, may be shorter or longer.
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In clinical practice, the most commonly used acupuncture needles are about 0.18 mm to 0.25 mm in diameter and 15 mm to 40 mm in length. These needles are significantly thinner than hypodermic needles used for injections, making acupuncture treatments generally less painful. In fact, around 10-30 acupuncture needles could fit inside a standard hypodermic needle used for drawing blood—that’s tiny!
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Acupuncture works by stimulating specific points on the body, known as acupoints, to influence various physiological processes and promote healing. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, acupuncture regulates the flow of energy along meridians, or pathways, to restore balance and improve health. When energy and blood flows smoothly, the body can function optimally; when blocked or imbalanced, illness and pain can arise. Acupuncture seeks to restore this balance, alleviating symptoms and enhancing well-being.
From a biomedical and scientific perspective, research has shown that acupuncture can have several physiological effects. When needles are inserted into acupoints, they stimulate the nervous system, triggering the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals like endorphins and enkephalins, which help reduce pain and promote a sense of well-being. Acupuncture also influences neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which can improve mood and relieve symptoms of stress and anxiety.
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Studies indicate that acupuncture increases blood circulation to targeted areas, supporting tissue healing and reducing inflammation. Additionally, acupuncture has been shown to regulate the autonomic nervous system, balancing the body’s "fight or flight" and "rest and digest" responses, which can be particularly beneficial for those with chronic stress or anxiety-related conditions.
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Overall, acupuncture’s effects on pain modulation, hormone release, immune function, and inflammation reduction help explain its wide-ranging benefits and make it a valuable complementary therapy for numerous health conditions.
Are There Any Side Effects to Acupuncture?
Most people experience minimal to no side effects from acupuncture. Some might notice mild soreness or bruising at the needle sites, but these effects typically fade quickly. Serious adverse reactions and events such as syncope and pneumothorax are uncommon if treatment is carried out by an AHPRA registered Chinese Medicine practitioner or Acupuncturist.
Can Acupuncture Be Combined With Other Treatments?
Yes, acupuncture can generally be safely combined with conventional medical treatments and other complementary therapies such as chiropractic and physiotherapy treatments to support your overall health plan. It’s important, however, to inform all healthcare providers about any treatments you are undergoing to prevent possible interactions.
Is Acupuncture The Same As Dry Needling?
Acupuncture uses needles both locally in tender spots known as ashi points and at distant points to address the broader concern. Dry needling, on the other hand, specifically targets trigger points, which we also call ashi points. So it is simply one style of Acupuncture out of the many we have under our belt as registered Acupuncturists.
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While dry needling is a form of acupuncture, the experience differs. In an acupuncture treatment, your overall health is considered in addition to just the area that is exhibiting pain or discomfort, and needles may be placed at trigger points as well as other areas. For pain relief, our goal is often to achieve immediate relief, then leave the needles in place to maximise benefits. This also gives you the chance to relax for 30-40 minutes, and many people drift off to sleep, reporting an enhanced sense of wellness afterward.
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In addition, you may receive guidance on exercises, stretches, diet, liniments, or herbs to further support your results.
How Long Do The Needles Stay In For?
Acupuncture needles generally stay in for 10-30 minutes, depending on the patient and the technique used. This may be shorter for younger patients, weak constitution or when an acupuncture method similar to dry needling is employed.
What Should I Wear For Acupuncture Treatments?
Approximately 95% of patients seeing us for Acupuncture only need to expose their legs up to the knees and arms up to the elbows. For most treatments, points are selected on the hands, forearms, feet, legs, ears, and head, so wearing loose-fitting clothing is ideal.
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In cases where local needling is necessary, similar to a massage, you may need to undress. Rest assured, towels will be used to keep you comfortable and covered throughout the treatment.