Want To Try Acupuncture But Dislike Needles? Five Things To Remember.

Common acupuncture needle

For many people, there's one thing that holds them back from enjoying the benefits of acupuncture: fear of needles.  

There's a spectrum of fears, ranging from moderate concern about being voluntarily being stuck with needles to downright needle phobia.  Fear of needles is the number one reason I hear for people not considering acupuncture to help their symptoms.  

Five things to remember if you're scared of getting acupuncture:

• These are not the needles you know

Acupuncture needles are hair thin and nothing like the needles used in a medical setting (blood draws, vaccines, IVs, dentists).  Most people who've never had acupuncture do not realize how thin the needles are.  They bend when you touch them and most are as long as a tube of chapstick.

Acupuncture is the gentlest form of needling possible.  If it felt anything like a shot, acupuncturists wouldn't be in business!

• Kids do it

The needling sensation from acupuncture is so mild that even kids are cool with it.  If children are okay with getting acupuncture, it really can't be that bad.  Robin Green, leading pediatric acupuncturist, has a website dedicated to this.  Yes, this is a real thing. Click here.

• You don't see the insertion

​For a lot of people, they don't want to try acupuncture because they don't want to see the needle going into their body.  Guess what? You won't see the insertion...unless you want to.  Lying face up, you won't see the acupuncture on your arms and legs unless you are actively looking at the point.  If you're really worried, an acupuncturist can do a face-down treatment so you will not see any insertion.  In addition, most patients do not even feel the acupuncture on their backs besides a heaviness and relaxing into the table.
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• You're in control

People assume that once the needles are in they must lie completely still, otherwise they will feel terrible pain or damage their insides.  Justifiably, this can lead to lots of anxiety.  Luckily, this is not true.

If you want to take out a needle that's bothering you, tell your acupuncturist.  If you only want a few needles or don't want them in very long, let your acupuncturist know.  If you don't want that point by your wrist needled, tell your acupuncturist.  A good acupuncturist will go at whatever pace your comfortable with.

• It's not all about needles

If the needles really freak you out, there are other modalities an acupuncturist can use.  Acupuncturists are trained in several healing therapies and acupuncture is only one.  Non-invasive therapies include acupressure, cupping, herbal medicine, moxibustion, gua sha, and ear seeds.

So, what do you say?  Maybe this is the year you'll overcome your fears and give acupuncture a shot!