Have you ever thought "I don't want to get acupuncture because I don't like needles"?
Well, before you write off acupuncture, let me share what I've learned so far while in school to become an acupuncturist...
Since I started acupuncture school, I've noticed that most people are very interested and open to trying acupuncture but there are some who are reluctant to try because they say they are afraid of acupuncture needles or just afraid of needles in general.
Funny enough, these people usually have tattoos!
Anyway, here are my top 5 reasons that acupuncture needles are NOT scary!
Number 1: Sterile and Clean
Acupuncture needles are individually packaged & sterile...just like tattoo needles!
Number 2: Single Use
Acupuncture needles are single use and disposed of properly (safe, sharps container) at the end of each session and you can feel totally comfortable that you are the only person your acupuncturist has poked with those needles.
Number 3: Needle Size
This is not a one-size-fits-all situation. Needles that are most commonly used range from 0.5 cun (1/2") to 2.5 cun (2.36") with the average gauge being 0.16mm - 0.25mm. This means that over 20 acupuncture needles can fit into a regular hypodermic needle! That's so much easier than your vaccination poke!
The shorter needles are thinner for areas such as hands, feet, wrists, and ankles while the longer needles are thicker for areas that have more tissue like upper legs, glutes, and arms (depending on the size of the person). Every acupuncture treatment is going to be specifically tailored for your body shape and size.
And if it's your first time getting a treatment, ask you acupuncturist if they can start you off with their smallest needle option so that you can get comfortable with that first.
For my daughter, who is 11, and for delicate areas like the face, I use 0.12mm gauge needles which are almost the size of a human hair!
Number 4: Needle Location
The basis of acupuncture is to send signals to the brain that will initiate the healing process in a particular way. Your body receives stimulus from the needle that your brain interprets so that healing can begin.
Between your elbows & fingertips, knees & toes are groups of points called Water Flowing Points (Shu Points) which are very powerful in part due to their higher number of local sensory neurons...
More Neurons = Higher Sensitivity = Stronger Signal to the Brain
For your first appointment, ask your acupuncturist if they can either omit or use fewer of these points from fingertip to elbow and toes to knees so that you are getting comfortable with acupuncture in areas that are less sensitive. This will definitely reduce the potential for very sensitive points without reducing the effectiveness of the signals to you brain and therefore the healing of the treatment.
Number 5: Needle Insertion
And finally, my last reason not to be afraid of acupuncture needles!
Insertion method of the needle can be altered so that you area a little distracted, this way you feel it less (YAY). Some of my favourite distraction techniques are:
- Breathing - this is where the practitioner will match the needle insertion with your exhale.
- Countdown - this is where the practitioner will give you a 3-2-1 countdown for the needle insertion.
- No Notice - this is where there is less anticipation, the practitioner will locate the point and confidently insert before you even know it.
- Distraction pressure - this is where the practitioner will use counter pressure on the tissue near the point itself to allow the "point to come to the needle" instead of the needle going to the point.
Ask your acupuncturist what their faves are and together you can find a method that you both like.
No comments:
Post a Comment