What does acupuncture feel like?
The needles used in acupuncture are between 0.16 and 0.30 mm thick, roughly the width of a strand of hair. A standard blood-test needle is around 0.8 mm. Because acupuncture needles are solid rather than hollow, they part the skin rather than cutting it, which is why most people describe the insertion as a light tap or a brief pinch rather than pain.
Once the needle is in place you may feel a dull, heavy or warm sensation around the point. In Traditional Chinese Medicine this is called de qi and is considered a sign the point has been reached. It usually settles within a few seconds. Some points, particularly on the hands, feet and lower legs, are more sensitive than points on the back or abdomen.
Try a session in Chiswick: tell your practitioner if you are nervous about needles, and they will adjust the treatment to keep you comfortable. A 60-minute acupuncture session is £80. Book online or call 020 4515 0000.
Is acupuncture painful? Why some points hurt more
Discomfort is more likely if you are tense, dehydrated or have not eaten, and at points close to bone or on tight muscle. A trained practitioner will adjust depth and technique if a point is uncomfortable, and will remove a needle immediately if you ask. Mild bruising or a small drop of blood at a point occasionally happens and is not a cause for concern.
How do you feel after acupuncture?
Most people feel relaxed, and some feel sleepy or a little light-headed for a short time, so it helps to eat beforehand and sit for a few minutes before driving. Mild soreness or a small bruise at a needle point can last a day or two. Contact your practitioner or GP if you feel unwell after treatment. Read what not to do after acupuncture and the possible side effects of acupuncture.
What we do at Omnia to keep it comfortable
Our acupuncture doctors are registered with UK professional bodies: Dr Jialin Zhu is a member of the British Acupuncture Council, and Dr Youzhong Wu and Dr Shu Fen Zhang are members of the Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine. All use sterile, single-use needles with guide tubes. Your first session starts with a consultation so we understand your sensitivity and any anxiety about needles, and we begin with fewer, shallower needles if that helps. Most people relax within the first ten minutes and many fall asleep during treatment.
If you are nervous about needles
Tell us when you book. We can talk you through each step, start with a single needle so you know what to expect, and use cupping alongside needling where appropriate. Sessions run for 60 minutes at our acupuncture clinic in Chiswick, W4, a short walk from Turnham Green station, and cost £80. Book through our booking page or call 020 4515 0000. Omnia Lifestyle is at 8 to 9 Bedford Corner, The Avenue, Chiswick W4 1LZ, close to Turnham Green station, on bus routes 94, E3 and 272. Limited parking is available on request when booking. If you are coming for pain relief, see what acupuncture is good for.