Is Acupuncture Right For You?

Enthusiasts argue that, even if only the placebo effect is at work, it's a useful treatment. After all, it alleviates pain.

Acupuncture seeks to balance the body's yin and yang by stimulating points along 12 energy pathways. These channels are called meridians. A typical acupuncture session includes an intake form and some discussion, similar to a medical doctor's visit.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which goes back thousands of years. It's one of the fastest-growing areas in integrative health. It's often used to ease pain, including migraines and chronic neck or back pain. And it's effective in easing nausea after surgery or chemotherapy.

The practice involves pricking your skin with fine, solid needles. Your practitioner then manipulates the needles and applies heat, electricity or massage to help relieve your symptoms. You may feel a slight tingling as the needles are inserted, but once they're in place you should experience little to no discomfort.

In the United States, acupuncture is a relatively common treatment. It's available at some doctor's offices, hospitals, pain clinics and physical therapy departments, as well as at private practices. And the National Institutes of Health has endorsed its effectiveness for relieving pain and nausea from cancer treatments and other conditions.

Acupuncture is safe when done by a licensed, certified practitioner who uses sterile needles. However, you should let your practitioner know if you have a bleeding disorder or are taking blood thinners. Acupuncture can also cause minor side effects, such as soreness or bruising where the needles are inserted. And if you're pregnant, some acupuncture points are believed to stimulate labor, which could lead to a premature delivery.

Acupuncture Needles

Acupuncture uses thin, solid needles that are inserted through the skin to stimulate specific points. Unlike the hollow hypodermic needles used for blood draws or vaccinations, acupuncture needles are solid and filiform (thin and flat). Most are about the size of a hair, while others may be slightly larger to treat deeper muscles. They are sterile and single-use only. During treatment, you'll feel a slight sensation as the acupuncturist inserts and manipulates the needles. The sensation has been described as a dull ache, or a feeling of energy moving in waves through the body.

Despite its ancient roots, acupuncture has been shown to benefit many conditions in modern times. It can help manage pain from arthritis, back problems and other injuries, including those caused by car accidents, whiplash and sports. It can also alleviate symptoms of chronic illnesses such as headaches, digestive issues and depression.

Acupuncture is relatively safe and has few side effects if administered by a trained acupuncturist using sterile needles. However, it's important to find a practitioner who is licensed and follows the FDA's standards for sterility. Needles inserted too deeply or by untrained practitioners can cause infection. Additionally, needles inserted into the chest or belly can hit the lungs and gallbladder, which is potentially dangerous. This is why the acupuncturist should listen to your feedback and adjust the technique accordingly.

Acupuncture Techniques

The acupuncturist’s touch will be light, and you should feel only slight discomfort as the needles are inserted. Your acupuncturist may gently move or twirl the needles after placement or apply heat or mild electrical pulses. The needles will remain in place for about 15 minutes while you relax.

Acupuncture is an effective supplemental therapy for many health conditions, including back or neck pain, sciatic nerve pain, headaches due to tension or migraine, nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy or cancer treatments, and fibromyalgia. It can also help with rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, chronic or recurrent bladder infections and other pelvic pain and women’s issues such as menstrual cramps, PMS and infertility.

One technique that has been scientifically researched is five element acupuncture, which focuses on the notion that imbalances in water, wood, fire, earth and metal can contribute to illness. Practitioners believe that restoring balance in these elements can treat the root cause of disease.

Some practitioners use a different style called meridian acupuncture, which uses finer needles and shallower insertions. The acupuncture points are closer to bones, joints and nerves, which makes it more suited for musculoskeletal problems. According to the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, acupuncture can address a wide range of symptoms, from fibromyalgia and migraines to insomnia and anxiety. Pregnant women are recommended to avoid acupuncture points that have been traditionally believed to stimulate labor, as the risks outweigh the benefits.

Acupuncture Treatments

Acupuncture is performed by trained practitioners who use solid, stainless steel needles that are inserted very shallowly into the skin at the precise points targeted for treatment. Many patients don't feel anything more than a tiny prick when the thin needle is inserted, although some say they feel a tickle or even a little electrical sensation that lets them know healing energy is moving through their body. The sessions usually last 45 to 60 minutes, and patients lay on a padded table. Some practitioners also offer other therapies such as moxibustion (the burning of a bundle of dried mugwort and wormwood leaves) or electroacupuncture, in which small, metal clips are attached to the needles and electricity is run through them for added stimulation.

Research shows that acupuncture can relieve nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, as well as pain and other side effects of cancer drug treatments. It can also stimulate the production of melatonin, which regulates sleep cycles. And it lowers the levels of pro-inflammatory proteins such as IL-6, which contribute to chronic inflammation.

As with any medical treatment, however, acupuncture has risks and may not be effective in every patient. It's important to seek treatment from a licensed practitioner who follows recommended standards of practice. Untrained practitioners can cause serious side effects, including infection and organ puncture.