Pre-sterilised disposable needles should be used. Depending on the location of the treatment, you will either sit or lie down. Properly done, acupuncture is painless because the needles are very fine (around 0.2 mm wide). When the needles are inserted, you may feel mild tingling around the site, warmth or heaviness, or even nothing at all.
An acupuncturist may use other techniques including:
- cupping – suction designed to bring blood to the acupuncture point
- Chinese herbs – either mixed by the acupuncturist or in pre-prepared tablet or granulated form
- laser – used instead of the needles to activate acupuncture points
- TCM remedial massage – techniques applied to specific acupuncture points or meridians
- moxibustion – burning herbs held over or applied to acupuncture points.
After a session of acupuncture, you will normally feel relaxed and refreshed, but specific responses depend on each person. For instance, some people feel energised, while others feel sleepy. Occasionally, the symptoms get a little worse before they improve.
The number of treatments you need depends on your condition. In most cases, people experience a reduction in symptoms within a few sessions. The idea of acupuncture is to restore the natural balance of energy inside your body. Once the balance is restored, the body can take care of itself and no further treatments are necessary.
