What are the needles like? What does acupuncture feel like?
Acupuncture needles are nothing like syringes. They are tiny, as thin as a strand of hair, and solid. They are sterilized and of course never re-used. Their design is for accessing Qi, not collecting fluids or tissue samples. Hence, the sensation of being acupunctured is unique and while sometimes intense, is not generally painful. Rather, the sensation may at first be like a mosquito bite, which then transforms into a dull, distending ache as the Qi rises to the needle. Usually after a few minutes the sensation leaves the area altogether. In other cases, sensations may be felt for a while after treatment ends. Patients usually describe deep relaxation, and often fall into a restful sleep during treatment.
