What are acupuncture needles like?
Acupuncture needles are very fine, about the diameter of a human hair, and are made of stainless steel. Acupuncture needles are solid, unlike hypodermic needles, which are hollow and inject substances into the body. Special insertion techniques have been developed enabling the skilled practitioner to place needles with little or no sensation at all. For the most part, the depth of penetration for acupuncture needles is shallow. The needles are placed into skin and muscle tissue; they do not come in contact with nerves or major blood vessels. All acupuncture needles used at Holistic Health Tsukuba are pre-sterilized and disposed of properly after each use. These are the same procedures followed in conventional medical settings, including hospitals. These standards essentially eliminate any possible chance of infection or disease transmission.
