Acupuncture is generally safe when it is performed by a licensed practitioner under clean, sterile conditions. It can cause a sensation of pricking or tingling during the insertion of needles, but the pain is usually minimal.
Many clinical trials show that acupuncture is an effective treatment for several health conditions. It is often used in combination with other medical treatments.
Acupuncture is an ancient practice in which tiny needles are inserted into acupuncture points on the skin to stimulate nerves and muscles. It has been shown to be effective for treating many illnesses and conditions.
For example, acupuncture can relieve pain from migraines and back problems. Studies show it can also treat other health issues, including immune system disorders and infertility.
How acupuncture works is not fully understood, but researchers believe that it may help by rewiring how the brain and nervous system process pain. In addition, acupuncture may stimulate the release of chemicals that block pain signals and boost natural painkillers, such as endorphins.
The number of acupuncture sessions you need depends on the condition you’re treating. For instance, some people have long-term (chronic) health conditions that require ongoing treatments. Others use acupuncture to address acute symptoms, such as nausea or vomiting after chemotherapy or surgery.
During an acupuncture session, you lie on a table, with the acupuncturist placing the needles in precise locations. You might feel a slight prick when the needle is inserted. But the sensation is not painful, and it’s usually less intense than a typical vaccine injection or blood draw. You might also feel a tingling or dull ache, but this usually indicates that the treatment is working.
Some patients experience a deep feeling of relaxation during the session, and some even fall asleep. If you’re concerned about falling asleep, tell your acupuncturist before the appointment. He or she will keep you awake during the treatment but will move your body to prevent you from drifting off.
The acupuncture procedure is safe for most adults, although you should avoid it if you have a pacemaker or other implanted electrical devices, as the needles might interfere with them. You should also let your practitioner know if you have bleeding disorders or are taking anticoagulant medicines, such as warfarin (Coumadin). In some cases, these medications can interact with certain herbs used in acupuncture. If you’re pregnant, it’s best to avoid acupuncture until after you deliver. Afterward, your doctor can help you resume your treatment regimen safely.
Acupuncture Points
Acupuncture is a method of treating disease by the insertion of needles at precise points on the body. The needles stimulate the nerves, muscles and connective tissue to help rebalance your energy. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that life force energy, called qi (chee) flows through pathways in your body and that when the flow is disrupted, you can experience illness. Acupuncturists believe that by stimulating certain points on the body, you can help your qi re-balance and restore health.
Acupucnture involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on your body, called acupuncture points or acupoints. Acupuncture points are identified by their location and the sensation that accompanies stimulation of the point. For example, an acupuncture point on the back of your hand is called LI-4 or Hegu and it feels like a little bump under your thumb and index finger. You might feel a dull, deep ache at the point or you might feel a sharp pricking sensation when pressure is applied to this acupoint.
The classic acupoints have many features that are similar to trigger points, including distribution within areas of referred pain1,2,3, and the relief of pain produced by manual or electrical stimulation of these acupoints4,5,6,7. Acupuncture is a multi-modality treatment that often incorporates other techniques such as moxibustion or electroacupuncture.
In the case of forbidden acupoints, it is generally accepted that the points become hypersensitive under certain pathological conditions of visceral organs1,2, and can be relieved by manual or electric stimulation4,5,6,7. This acupoint hypersensitivity is thought to be due to the activation of endogenous opioid mechanisms1,2, and they are commonly used in acupuncture for the relief of pregnancy related pain conditions1,4.
However, there is a significant risk associated with using forbidden acupoints during pregnancy prior to 37 weeks of gestation, as evidenced by numerous cases of PTC reported in the literature. In addition, there are few high quality RCT trials of penetrating acupuncture that use forbidden acupoints in the treatment protocols of their study populations8. As a result, the routine use of these points is questionable9.
Acupuncture Needles
The most important tool of an acupuncturist is the needle, which is used to stimulate acupoints. The acupuncture needle is extremely thin and, when inserted correctly into the body, does not cause pain. Acupuncture needles are sterile, single-use medical devices. They are made of stainless steel and tipped with gold or silver to help attract the electrical charge that stimulates acupoints.
The insertion of an acupuncture needle can trigger many beneficial side effects in the body. These include the release of natural chemicals, such as pain-relieving endorphins, which help to reduce inflammation and improve mood and overall well-being. These biochemical changes are thought to support the body’s natural ability to heal itself.
Acupuncture is an ancient practice that has roots in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which views health as a harmonious balance between complementary extremes, called yin and yang. It is based on the concept that the body’s life force, known as Qi (pronounced “chee”), flows through meridians or pathways and that illness results from imbalances of these energy forces. Qi can be restored to health by stimulating acupoints with needles, massage, exercise and other techniques.
Research suggests that acupuncture works by activating sensory nerves that change how the brain processes pain signals from injured tissues. The treatment also appears to influence the release of hormones that regulate sleep, blood pressure, heart rate and other bodily functions.
An acupuncturist will have you sit or lie down while they carefully insert the needles, which may feel like nothing at all. The number of needles varies depending on the condition being treated. The needles are then manipulated, moved or twirled to stimulate the acupoint. During this part of the treatment, patients may feel a tingling sensation around the area or a slight warmth.
After the treatment, you should rest to allow your body to fully absorb the energizing and healing effects of acupuncture. Your acupuncturist may also recommend exercises or other treatments to continue to strengthen your muscles and support the effectiveness of acupuncture in managing your symptoms at home. If you’re thinking about trying acupuncture, let your doctor know about your specific health concerns.
Acupuncture Treatments
The benefits of acupuncture are widely accepted by healthcare providers, and it’s often recommended as part of treatment plans for pain. It may help ease some types of chronic pain, such as neck or back pain. It may also reduce pain caused by surgery or cancer treatments.
Whether the benefits are due to stimulation of the body’s immune system, manipulation of the body’s qi energy or simply the placebo effect, many people report feeling more well after an acupuncture session. It’s important to note that acupuncture doesn’t treat all conditions, and it should not be used as a replacement for prescription medications or other therapies.
An acupuncturist will start by reviewing your medical history, doing a physical examination and taking your pulse. The acupuncturist will then identify the specific acupoints to target. Acupoints are located on the meridian system and are grouped together according to eight principles of complementary opposites (yin/yang, internal/external, hot/cold, excess/deficiency). There are about 350 acupoints positioned over the 14 meridians.
Once the acupoints are targeted, the acupuncturist will insert needles into each one of them. The procedure is quick and generally causes little discomfort. The acupuncturist will then manipulate the needles to get the desired response. Depending on the condition, this could involve pulling on the needle, rotating it, applying pressure to the point or applying a mild electrical charge.
Afterwards, the practitioner will remove the needles. You may experience a slight soreness or minor bleeding at the site where the needle was inserted, but these side effects are not typical. Acupuncture is very safe, especially when performed by a licensed and certified practitioner using sterile needles. However, if you have a pacemaker or another type of implanted device, acupuncture can interfere with the operation of your device.
While more research is needed, a number of clinical studies support the effectiveness of acupuncture. A 2015 study, for example, found that acupuncture could help reduce neck pain. It also showed that acupuncture may ease knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. And a 2017 study found that acupuncture reduced pain and nausea in patients receiving chemotherapy.