Does Acupuncture Hurt?
Is acupuncture painful? When does acupuncture hurt and why?
This is the big question that most patients ask on an initial inquiry or at their first appointment. These are common queries I’ve heard over the years and rightfully so, it’s really good to know what’s involved in an acupuncture appointment and how it might work and what it might feel like too.
The word Acupuncture when broken down is: Acu - Latin for needle (clarity, sharpness) and Puncture - to pierce. It pleases me that the origin of “Acu” can be interpreted as clarity and sharpness, which are two sensation that might be felt during a treatment (physically, mentally and emotionally) . Puncture, as suspected means to pierce, this describes the action during treatment when an incredibly fine needle penetrates the chosen acupuncture point.
What does the sensation of acupuncture really feel like?
The words commonly associated with discomfort are Hurt or Pain - we might use other noises to interpret an uncomfortable sensation like, “Ouch” “Ow” “Aargh” all of these sound quiet unpleasant and probably bring up a negative connotation. However I would suggest that Hurt, Pain and noises alike are just labels for differing sensations, such as throbbing, warming, intense, dull, ache, radiating, stabbing, sharp or electric, these words describe clearly the sensation. Depending on the individual it might be one or two words which describe a sensation when connected with a particular acupuncture point, such as intense warming or a dull ache.
Does acupuncture hurt? Is it painful? Or is it just sensation?
Next time you stub your toe or bang your elbow, you might shout, swear and suggest that it was really painful or it hurts, denoting labels of intense discomfort. It would be interesting to challenge yourself during such a moment and observe the variations of sensation that occur with such an experience. Paying attention to sensation can bring about intense clarity of what you are truly experiencing and not shut off to just the label of “Pain”. Once we truly feel and experience these sensations it is likely that such labels would not even register, as we have delved beneath them, shining a light onto our experience in this present moment. Therefore not feeling pain.
An expert in connecting patients to sensation.
It is with careful inquiry and observation with all my patients, I am able to open a dialogue in those moments of treating and connect patients with the true experience, re-frame language and connect with sensation. It is true, you will feel something during treatment when a connection is made with an acupuncture point but I would hope you would find that acupuncture doesn’t hurt or that acupuncture is not painful but just full of clarity and sharpness.
Intrigued, curious or unsure about receiving acupuncture due to a fear of needles or treatment, feel free to contact me for a free consultation.