What is acupuncture? Does it hurt?

Acupuncture involves inserting very fine needles into the skin to stimulate specific anatomical points in the body (called acupoints or acupuncture points) for therapeutic purposes.

Along with the usual method of puncturing the skin with fine needles, acupuncturists also use other methods to stimulate acupoints;

• Heat (called moxibustion)

• Friction, manipulation & pressure

• Electro-stimulation

Unlike hypodermic injection needles, acupuncture needles are solid & hair-thin; they are not designed to cut the skin. They are also inserted to much more shallow levels than hypodermic needles, generally no more than a half-inch to an inch depending on the type of treatment being delivered.

We only use needles that are high-quality, sterile, once-use only products. While each person experiences acupuncture differently, most people feel only a minimal amount of sensation as the needles are inserted.