Is it normal to feel pain during acupuncture?
An Acupuncturist typically has over 2500 hours of graduate level study, including several years of internship BEFORE they take a national certification exam, get licensed, and start practicing. If you’re going to have needles inserted into you, be sure to find someone who is VERY well trained. Chances are, if you are seeing a licensed Acupuncturist, they are well-trained to give you a safe and comfortable treatment.
While most people find acupuncture on the whole relaxing, there can be some different sensations you feel during and after the acupuncture treatment.
A wide number of things can make you more or less sensitive at different times including the following:
Constitution. Some people are wired to be more sensitive than others.
Sleep. Not enough sleep can make your nervous system on edge.
Caffeine. Stimulants increase activity in your brain and nervous system.
Stress. Stress releases cortisol and adrenaline which activate your nervous system.
Hormones. Menstruation can cause the skin to become more sensitive.
Medication. Medication can sometimes dull the sensations you feel.
The typical sensation from acupuncture is an achy-pressure type sensation when the needle reaches the acupuncture point. It lasts up to a few seconds and it is traditionally called “de-qi” which roughly translates to “the arrival of Qi.” Depending on the point, and the most common nerve endings in the area, de-qi can also feel like tingling, numbness, heaviness, and other sensations that occur after an acupuncture needle has been properly placed.
Some people think if it hurts more, it must be working better. This is usually not true!
Ultimately, during an acupuncture treatment, the sensation at the points should settle so you can’t tell where the needles are as you start to feel a gentle sensation of circulation. Your nervous system begins to calm down, and you may feel heavy and deeply relaxed.
As the treatment is working, you sometimes feel one or more of the needles become activated, similar but often less than the initial de-qi sensation. Sometimes if you move during the treatment, you may feel some pain at a point. This is because the needles are placed in or between muscles and tendons, and moving your muscles will also move the needle, causing pain.
The acupuncture points are near nerve endings. If a needle is on a nerve, this can feel like a sharp cold, traveling pain similar to when you hit your “funny bone” and will often last until the needle is moved and possibly after. If you feel this during an acupuncture treatment, you should always tell your Acupuncturist so they can adjust the needle and you can avoid pain after the treatment.
Fortunately, quite rarely, a needle can puncture a blood vessel, which may feel like sharper pain and can result in a bruise when the needle is removed. This can look like a small bump at first and will eventually flatten out and could turn purple and be achy for a day or two after. Unless someone is on blood-thinners, bruising after acupuncture is rare.
If you ever feel pain during or after your acupuncture treatment, let your Acupuncturist know! Your clinician knows your health situation, and is a much better resource than the internet to give you accurate information.