Acupuncture Needles: Questions Answered

Visit: http://www.YourSourceForWellness.org for more information on acupuncture in Los Angeles.

I am going to discuss some of the most common questions new patients have about acupuncture needles when they visit my clinic.

Are acupuncture needles reused?

In my practice I use only individual packaged sterile stainless steel needles. These are single use needles made from stainless steel that are disposed of immediately after use. In the state of California, reusable needles are illegal. In my opinion there is no reason to use reusable needles. Single use needles are fairly inexpensive and eliminates the risk of cross contamination.

How thick are the needles?

The needles are very thin, not much thicker than hair. The most commonly used needles are between 38 and 32 gauge. They are not like the needles used for injections which are hollow for the transmission of medicine or the withdrawal of body fluids. Most people associate needles with getting an injection or having blood drawn which is generally painful. Most patients are usually pleasantly surprised that the insertion of the fine acupuncture needles are virtually painless.

How deep are the needles inserted into the body?

The needles are generally inserted very shallow. The depth is going to vary depending on the part of the body that is being treated. The average point is inserted to the depth of 1/4 to 1/2 inch. This is going to vary according to different styles of acupuncture. The more fleshy regions of the body, like the gluteus maximus may have an insertion depth of up to a couple of inches depending on the size of the patient.

Do the needles hurt?

The insertion of acupuncture needles is generally pain free. You may feel a slight discomfort upon insertion that will quickly dissipate. The level of sensitivity varies among patients, but the majority do not experience any significant discomfort.

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[whiskeyify]

@dclx5i one time they inserted a needle into my leg...I felt a huge electric shock that went through my whole body.

[dclx5i]

@whiskeyify ... maybe sensitivity, but maybe the electric jolt you feel could be the "moving of qi." Is there a particular path that the electric jolt seems to follow. for e.g. they needle on the knee and you feel a jolt that runs down the leg. Or does the jolt simply encompass your entire body together?

[whiskeyify]

@dclx5i but it's not a tingling, it's like getting a big shock, it will go through my legs, sometimes it feels like my whole body touched an electrical wire.

[whiskeyify]

@dclx5i I've been going to AMU here in calif. thats American Medical University, it's a school. The doctors who oversee the interns doing the acupuncture also teach here at the University. Two are Chinese and they studied in China, I think 6 years or more and I keep asking them why I'm getting these big jolts of electricity, they only ans. that I am sensitive to the needles.

[dclx5i]

@whiskeyify feeling the electric current is a good thing. It means that the body has accepted the needle effectively and the healing process has just begun. Ideally an expert acupuncturist is one who is able to make the patient feel the tingling current sensation on every needle insertion. it seems your acupuncturist was an amateur since she did not know that.

[peypeyneekin]

@poomerduck shallower nerve endings

[whiskeyify]

I always have them use the smaller needles, no. 32. Problem is I'm very sensitve, I often get what feels like an electric shock when they insert a needle. It causes me to jump and it scares the lady doing it.

[poomerduck]

what are short acupuncture needles used for as opposed to long acupuncture needles?

[suzuki15]

What if I want to reuse my needles?

[lucasfan18]

Very informative thankyou!