Why Doesn’t Acupuncture Hurt?

Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine that is commonly used to treat chronic pain, along with other medical conditions ranging from migraines to stress. When considering acupuncture, it is good to have all of the information regarding how it works beforehand. One question that comes up is whether or not the treatment is painful. Ready to find out more?

Does acupuncture hurt?

A lot of people wonder why acupuncture does not hurt, which is a reasonable question considering the treatment involves the use of needles. Keep reading to find out how acupuncture works and why it does not necessarily hurt.

The needles are very small

One of the main reasons that acupuncture does not hurt is the needles that are used are extremely thin and small. Unlike other medical needles, acupuncture ones are only .25 mm to .12 mm in size, which is very small. A lot of patients are not able to even feel the needles because of how tiny they are. Instead, they often find relief. 

When having blood drawn in a traditional medical setting, the needles are much thicker, which is why bruising often occurs. Additionally, when a vaccine is given, the needle is nowhere near as small as acupuncture needles. 

In addition to their size, acupuncture needles are made of very good quality. Needles that lack quality may be dull or made of poor metals, which could cause pain when entering the skin. However, acupuncture needles are known to be very smooth and very sharp, which creates less stimulation when piercing the skin. 

The velocity is extremely high

Another reason that acupuncture is not known to be painful is that the velocity at which the needles are entered is very high. This means that when the needles pierce the skin, it is done very quickly and without a lot of force. The acupuncturist will stick the needles directly into the skin quickly and without hesitation, unlike other needles used for medical purposes. When drawing blood or giving vaccines, the needle is typically entered slowly to ensure that the vein is lined up. 

Additionally, once acupuncture needles are placed, they remain stuck for a while, which helps the patient to adapt to the sensation; thus eliminating feelings of pain. 

The needles do not touch nerves

The other main reason that acupuncture does not hurt is that the needles are not being put into nerves. Typically, pain is felt throughout the body because there are so many nerves. When other types of needles enter the body, they are very close to, if not hitting, a nerve. With acupuncture, the needles are placed in certain points throughout the body where energy tends to flow. This allows for a relaxing sensation, instead of pain. 

Get started today!

Acupuncture is a great treatment to consider when suffering from pain or discomfort. It can be used to treat a number of conditions ranging from chronic pain to anxiety. For questions or concerns about acupuncture, reach out to our team.

Request an appointment here: https://www.woodsindychiro.com or call Woods Chiropractic PC at (317) 257-3919 for an appointment in our Indianapolis office.

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