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most commonly asked questions

Acupuncture Needles - Frequently Asked Questions

Acupuncture Needles - Frequently Asked Questions
By Michael E. Costa

In this article, I am going to discuss some of the most common questions new patients have about acupuncture and needles when they visit my clinic.

Are needles of acupuncture reused?

In my practice I use only individual packaged sterile stainless steel needles. These are single use needles made from stainless steel that are disposed of immediately after use. In the state of California, reusable needles are illegal. In my opinion there is no reason to use reusable needles. Single use needles are fairly inexpensive and eliminates the risk of cross contamination.

How thick are the needles?

The needles are very thin, not much thicker than hair. The most commonly used needles are between 38 and 32 gauge. They are not like the needles used for injections which are hollow for the transmission of medicine or the withdrawal of body fluids. Most people associate needles with getting an injection or having blood drawn which is generally painful. Most patients are usually pleasantly surprised that the insertion of the fine acupuncture needles are virtually painless.

How deep are the needles inserted into the body?

The acupuncture needles are generally inserted very shallow. The depth is going to vary depending on the part of the body that is being treated. The average point is inserted to the depth of 1/4 to 1/2 inch. This is going to vary according to different styles of acupuncture. The more fleshy regions of the body, like the gluteus maximus may have an insertion depth of up to a couple of inches depending on the size of the patient.

Do the needles hurt?

The insertion of acupuncture needles is generally pain free. You may feel a slight discomfort upon insertion that will quickly dissipate. The level of sensitivity varies among patients, but the majority do not experience any significant discomfort.

Michael Costa, L.Ac. is a Licensed acupuncturist in the Los Angeles area. He has been involved in the healing arts for over ten years. For more information about the author and self healing techniques that promote your health visit http://www.LosAngelesAcupunctureCenter.com

The Point of Acupuncture Goes Beyond Needles

The Point of Acupuncture Goes Beyond Needles
By Bonnie Koenig

Say acupuncture. People think needles. Acupuncture is not so much about the needles as it about balancing the body's energy system or qi (pronounced chee). The concept of practitioners inserting needles into points seems to be what everyone thinks of when they think of acupuncture.

Acupuncture is a medical practice that is thousands of years old. It originated in Asia. Throughout the country of China, there are many different theories and ways of practicing. As time passes, more and more of this information is being translated and practiced in the Western World.

Needles are a major factor in acupuncture. The needles used in acupuncture are not the large size syringes that people are familiar with from their doctor's office. These are solid needles that are about the size of a dressmaker's pin and smaller.

Energy, or qi, flows throughout the body. Qi concentrates its flow through major pathways, called channels or meridians. On each channel are points where qi can be manipulated by a skilled practitioner. These are the places the acupuncturist chooses to needle.

Through the choice of points to needle, a practitioner can balance the body's qi and thereby alleviate the symptoms of disease or illness. In order to make lasting change, the patient must have a series of treatments. The body becomes habituated to certain imbalances and though the patient may feel better after a treatment to correct this, it is natural for the body to go back to its familiar way of being. This may explain why acute problems, such as an injury, generally respond more quickly to acupuncture treatments than long term ailments.

After the acupuncture needles are inserted, the patient can expect to lie on the table with the needles for about twenty to thirty minutes. In some cases, this will be longer. During this time, there is rarely any discomfort. It can be a very relaxing time for the patient. After this rest, the acupuncturist will remove the needles and perhaps do a bit of massage if there is a painful area. They will make recommendations about when the patient should return and any other types of treatments that may be beneficial to the patient.

Acupuncture has few side effects and these are typically limited to bruising in the local area. Some patients will feel tired after a treatment but this is typically because they are in a greater state of relaxation than their body is used to. Some other patients feel energized. Most people feel a sense of well being, though there are those who feel little change after the first couple of treatments. Rarely does someone feel worse and often that is only a temporary worsening of symptoms and then greater relief sets in.

Although acupuncture isn't a one time treatment and it does take commitment to continue going for acupuncture treatments, it is a safe, effective and gentle method of healing.

Bonnie Koenig, LAc has been a Licensed Acupuncturist in Washington State since 1999. She loves writing and has created her website, http://www.quantulifestyles.com, for people who are looking to find out general information about acupuncture.

If you're interested in other forms of healing secrets then your search should include Qi Gong. This subject matter will be of interest to anyone who is currently interested in acupuncture needles.


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