One of the most commonly asked questions from my first-time patients is if acupuncture hurts, as they are afraid of needles. Trypanophobia, the fear of needles, is not uncommon. However, this fear is quickly allayed after the calming effects of a patient’s first treatment settle in.
Actually, acupuncture needles may not quite be what you expect them to be at all. Each flexible, single-use needle is hair-thin and you will likely not even feel them as they are gently being inserted. Here is an image that compares an acupuncture needle’s width to similarly sized objects (including a medical syringe). And rest assured, the insertion of an acupuncture needle does not share the intensity of a hypodermic injection. As a matter of fact at least five acupuncture needles can fit into a hypodermic needle at once!
Please don’t let your fear of needles stop you from trying acupuncture. I assure you that the benefits of acupuncture far outweigh the fear of needles and once the benefits begin to present themselves you will truly understand the art behind Chinese medicine.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me for reassurance or consultation. I can always be reached at 908.379.8600 or via e-mail at info@tlcacupuncture.com.