This depends on your hairstyle. Kidding!

Some acupuncture doesn’t even use acupuncture needles, which are only a little thicker than a human hair, and new and sterile for each patient, and disposed of afterwards.  But when you are having acupuncture, acupuncture points are all over your body, so sometimes an acupuncture needle may be placed quite a ways away from the painful area.

A typical acupuncture session may include five to twenty needles at various points on the body. Each needle is very thin, so insertion is usually not painful, but perhaps mildly uncomfortable or a little achy at first. Your practitioner may gently move, twist, or stimulate the needles (sometimes with heat or mild electrical pulses). You then relax while the needles are left in place for perhaps 10-20 minutes, and then they are removed (usually with no pain or discomfort at all). This process may be repeated 2 or 3 times in a session.

Acupuncture is very safe and with very few side effects, if any, when performed by a licensed and responsible acupuncturist. Some patients may have a little tenderness or bruising at the acupuncture placements. If you have potentially complicating health conditions, such as a bleeding disorder or pregnancy, talk with your acupuncturist before any treatments.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicines Introduction to Acupuncture:

Acupuncture is generally considered safe when performed by an experienced, well-trained practitioner using sterile needles. Improperly performed acupuncture can cause serious side effects.

Absolute Wellness Center in Eugene, OR offers chiropractic medicine, sports medicine, naturopathic medicine, physical rehabilitation, acupuncture, and therapeutic massage. To learn more about whether our Eugene acupuncture might benefit your health, give us a call at 541-484-5777.