Hui Xu Acupuncture & Holistic Medicine

What Does Acupuncture Feel Like?

Many first-time patients are concerned that acupuncture needles will feel like hypodermic injection needles at the doctor’s office. Actually they won't. Acupuncture needles are completely different from hypodermic needles. Acupuncture uses hair-thin, flexible needles that you will hardly feel when I insert them. While the experience of acupuncture will be different from everyone, You may feel a slight sensation of an initial prick – somewhat like a mosquito bite – or you may not feel anything at all.

When I gently stimulate the needles they may produce a unique sensation that Oriental medicine calls de qi. Patients often describe de qi as a heavy, achy pressure, or spreading, traveling feeling. You may also feel an "electrical" sensation moving down the meridian pathways, though this is less common. Most patients find these acupuncture sensations deeply satisfying and leave the treatment feeling relaxed both mentally and physically.

How Many Treatments Will I Need?

The benefits of acupuncture are cumulative, so more than one treatment is necessary. For acute conditions you can expect to have 4 to 10 treatments, but you will usually begin to feel relief after just the first few. Chronic conditions may take longer to respond, depending on the type, severity, and duration of the condition. Preventative treatments and treatments for general well-being may also be scheduled on an as-needed basis.

How does Acupuncture affect the body?

Researchers do not fully understand how acupuncture might work. One possible  explanation is that applying acupuncture needles into acupuncture points may stimulate the nerve system, releasing chemicals (like endorphins, serotonin) into the muscles and flowing through the whole body. These biochemical changes may activate the body's natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being.