What happens in an acupuncture treatment?
A first acupuncture session typically lasts about an hour, with follow-up sessions taking 30 minutes to an hour. You’ll be asked to lie or sit on a padded table, and to remove or loosen just enough clothing to get comfortable and to uncover areas to be treated. A therapist will take a detailed health history, and a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine will also examine your tongue and take your pulse in several different places. The treatment can involve from two to 15 hair-thin disposable sterile needles inserted just under the skin, or deeper. Acupuncture shouldn’t hurt much. You may feel a “pinch” or sting and some warmth or tingling for a few seconds. If pain persists, tell the therapist right away. The therapist will leave the needles in place for a few minutes to an hour (20 minutes is typical), checking to make sure you are comfortable or to remove or manipulate some needles to stimulate the acupoints. Sometimes tiny amounts of an herb called mugwort (or moxa in China) a
