Firstly, the needles used to perform acupuncture are nothing compared to a needle that would be used to take blood from you. They are solid, not hollow and much thinner compared to what you’d feel when being injected. They are not designed to puncture veins or arteries, so there is minimal bleeding involved.

Many people describe the feeling of acupuncture as a “spark”. This sensation may not be felt at all but is usually mild and lasts less than a few seconds.

At times, the location of needles can feel dull or heavy and should never continue a stinging sensation. Your acupuncturist will always adjust needles so that you are comfortable.

Acupuncture points are regions of the body, further than the surface of the skin. These areas are rich in nerve endings, mast cells, lymphatic vessels and capillaries. When acupoints are stimulated by a needle, sensory receptors are activated. This activation transmits impulses to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system.

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is a complex system of neuroendocrine pathways and feedback loops that function to maintain physiological homeostasis (normality within your body). Acupuncture works to regulate the production of hormones, maintain healthy brain activity and aids glands that collectively produce neurotransmitters for modulating various bodily processes. This form of treatment is an organic approach to assisted self-healing and has been practiced in Eastern Medicine for over 5,000 years.

Acupuncture is quite safe if you’ve chosen a qualified and skilled practitioner. With any treatment you choose to receive, there are precautions.

Side effects will vary with all patients but can occur, often mild or not felt at all. The most common are listed below.

Fatigue
While most people notice marked improvement with their symptoms post-acupuncture, some feel worse before they start feeling better. This can be referred to as a “healing crisis”. Because dormant physical issues can arise in the process, having one acupuncture session is similar to taking one tablet of the box of antibiotics. As you progress through treatment, additional symptoms may come and previous symptoms may go.

It’s possible to feel drained after a treatment, this is a sign to listen to your body and rest with nourishing foods, water and relaxation to re-fuel your body.

Tenderness at needling locations
Sometimes you can get soreness from needling locations and usually dissipates within 24 hours. In some cases, you could experience muscle soreness or fatigue away from the needling site if a release of a trigger point occurs. Without the intention of dry needling, if a large area has been released, residual soreness could take up to a few days.

 
Bruising
Apart from the aesthetic nuisance, bruising isn’t an alarming side effect and lingering soreness from needling can happen.

Feeling emotional
It’s not uncommon to cry during or after an acupuncture treatment. If you experience pain, shortness of breath, a tight chest or frequent fatigue, these are all somatic symptoms. Emotions have a strong influence on our body’s behaviour and physiological states. The placement of needles on acupuncture pathways regulates blood flow and sometimes can bring on an emotional release. Read more about Bodily maps of emotions.

Bodily maps of emotions link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3896150/

A change in your emotional state after acupuncture treatment is a sign that the treatment is working on your somatic sensory neurons. If pain relief or a relief from any physical ailment is what brought you into the clinic, feeling emotional is an indication that healing is in progress.

Yes, certainly in most cases! It’s best to speak to us if you have any concerns about interactions before commencing treatment.

Dry needling is a needling technique which can be used by other Allied Health professionals if they have participated in >3 day course. This method of needling aims to stimulate tight muscle bands and forces a twitch response. It’s often advised that dry needling may bring on a heavy sensation and a dull pain which can last up to a few days.

In comparison, Acupuncturists are clinically trained to needle acupuncture points for a minimum of 4 years full time and adhere to firm government guidelines. Acupuncturists are educated on a systematic approach to healing which assesses the individual and prescribes points to activate your body’s biological healing process. Acupuncture needles are inserted at various depths, angles and locations with aims to improve your symptoms.

Acupuncture is part of Chinese Medicine and if you’re needle phobic, acu-point massage is just as powerful as a full session. If you’re interested in taking herbal medicine, or cupping, these are needle alternatives to calm your nerves and still nip your health concerns in the bud.