Does Acupuncture hurt?

[Anonymous]

I've been to acupuncture a few times - and after hearing so much about how relaxing it is supposed to be I was a bit disappointed - each time, of the 14 or so needles they put in 2-3 of them hurt going in & hurt again during the adjustment. after that, it was relaxing. has this been your experience?

[Anonymous]

i went in for chronic headaches and neck problems. yep, some of the needles definitely hurt going in, especially the ones in my ears and jaw, but my headaches went away for months! acupuncture isn't quite like getting a massage. its working on your nerve and muscle connections. its proven clinically to work, but if you don't have a specific problem i wouldn't go. its not a spa-like treatment.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, usually 2-3 out of 20 or so hurt going in. But after that, I usually find it basically relaxing.

[Anonymous]

It depends on were they are inserted. Some (intentionally) hit areas that have more nerves and you definitively feel little spasms, but it quickly fades. In my case there was a point in the wrist that was not pleasant....
I found it very relaxing and helpful.

[Anonymous]

I went in for chronic diarrhea so I had no idea it was supposed to be relaxing. Every time, at least one or two needles felt like I was being exposed to an electric socket. It really had me on pins and needles (ha ha) but it cured my diarrhea.

[Anonymous]

good to know i'm not the only one who finds some of them painful. i have friends who've told me it doesn't hurt at all & that you can't even feel them going in. i definitely feel them going in - and some really hurt when the doctor adjusts them (does your doctor do this as well - put them all in & then adjust them all? that's the part i hate!)
however, i agree, once they are in it is relaxing to lie down, listen to music, etc - and i feel relaxed afterward.

[Anonymous]

It also depends on the acupuncturist. Some have better insertion technique than others.

[Anonymous]

It's literally a pin prick that lasts for seconds. The effects, however, are sometimes bizarre (in a good way) - like a sudden feeling of relaxation or some weird state of euphoria or an immediate calming feeling.

It's great!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's literally a pin prick that lasts for seconds. The effects, however, are sometimes bizarre (in a good way) - like a sudden feeling of relaxation or some weird state of euphoria or an immediate calming feeling.

It's great!

What you are feeling is chi. In yogic terms, prana. In western terms, circulation.

[Anonymous]

i tried it for headache/neck issues. did not think it hurt although i remember "feeling" a few. didn't seem to do anything for me though. am i the only one who wasn't magically cured?

[Anonymous]

As with doctors and drugs, you might want to try different acupuncturists. Some are better than others.

[Anonymous]

I had acupuncture to induce labor after I went past my due date (to avoid being induced). Didn't work!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's literally a pin prick that lasts for seconds. The effects, however, are sometimes bizarre (in a good way) - like a sudden feeling of relaxation or some weird state of euphoria or an immediate calming feeling.

It's great!

What you are feeling is chi. In yogic terms, prana. In western terms, circulation.

So my chi's been out of whack? I need to go back then b/c I would do anything to feel that euphoric all of the time!

[Anonymous]

I go once every two months and yoga in between.

[Anonymous]

any recs for someone good in downtown dc?