Health & Fitness
How Tiny is an Acupuncture Needle?
Worried about trying acupuncture because you have a fear of needles?? See how fine an acupuncture needle really is…
Worried about trying acupuncture because you have a fear of needles? See how fine an acupuncture needle really is…some people actually compare the width to that of a single horse hair!
“I’m afraid of needles.” Fear of needles is the number one reason people refuse to try acupuncture. While there are some that have a genuine phobia of needles, there are others that are hesitant because the first thought that accompanies the idea of needles is “ouch!”. This is a huge misnomer about the practice of acupuncture: the truth is that it does not hurt.
We know what you’re thinking—how can that be? It’s because the needles used in acupuncture are not anything like the needles you are used to seeing in a Western medical setting. They are extremely thin—they even bend at the touch. And needles used in some forms of acupuncture, such as Japanese techniques, are even thinner. Not only does the placement of these needles not hurt, patients report that the acupuncture treatment itself is relaxing. After an intake and diagnosis with your practitioner, he or she will place the needles and leave you in a restful position in your treatment room for 15 to 20 minutes before returning to remove the needles. This time is for de-stressing and to allow the needles to do their work of unblocking qi and restoring peace and wellbeing to your body.
