Does Acupuncture Hurt?

By CNY Healing Arts Published on

At our CNY Healing Arts Centers in Syracuse, Rochester and Albany, NY we perform acupuncture to treat many different health issues from infertility, sinus pressure, smoking cessation, migraines, arthritis and more. Clients sometimes come to us with different levels of anxiety regarding the needles used during acupuncture. Some have a lifelong fear of needles while others are just nervous about whether it will hurt.

Now that’s a logical fear, right? Will the needles hurt? We are taking a needle and inserting it into your skin in many different locations. Seems logical that it may hurt. The truth is most people who have had acupuncture describe it as virtually painless or far less painful than, for example, plucking out a hair. The sensations that follow needle insertion can range from nothing at all, to mild tingling, to slight numbness/achiness, to electrical pulsations in areas distant from the site of insertion. These subside once the needles are removed.

The size of the needle is part of the reason that some people think the acupuncture treatment will hurt. Most people who are having a treatment for the first time don’t realize how small the needles actually are. The needles used for acupuncture are much smaller than the standard hypodermic needle. They don’t draw blood and are solid, not hollow.

We want to dissuade your fear of acupuncture and the needles that are used. Please don’t hesitate to call us and ask for more information. We have several acupuncturists waiting to assist you at all of our locations. We hope you will allow us to aide you on your path to better health and wellness by utilizing acupuncture.

Contact us today!

Syracuse – 315.671.5755

Rochester – 585.244.1280 ext 2

Albany – 518.724.5750