Does Acupuncture Hurt?

     The experience you will have with acupuncture needles is very different than the experience most people have had with needles.  When many people think of needles, what comes to mind are the big syringes used for taking blood, or perhaps memories of being hospitalized and having tests done for this or that.  Unlike the hyperdermic needles that are hollow and bore into the skin, acupuncture needles are solid and part the skin.  Acupuncture needles are very thin when compared to syringes, and they are often described as being not much thicker than a human hair.

     I have not met anyone who likes needles, but I have treated many patients who have real fears of needles yet get many benefits from acupuncture treatment.  In many respects, if you have a real needle phobia then you would not be reading this website.  Insertion of needles is typically painless for most patients, while some patients describe a slight pinch at first.  Depending on what is being treated and the needling technique being utilized, patients describe a mild ache, numbness, heaviness, or an “alive sensation” around or distal to the needle.  This only lasts for a short time, is not unpleasant and is a sign that acupuncture is doing it’s stuff.

     Having acupuncture treatment is no big deal, and bear in mind that if you don’t want acupuncture then we have other treatment options.  Chinese medicine also utilizes herbal supplementation, massage, gua sha, dietary recommendations, cupping or moxibustion. 

What is moxibustion?

    Moxibustion has been used in tandem with acupuncture to treat a variety of diseases throughout Asia for thousands of years.  In fact, the actual Chinese character for what we routinely call acupuncture is “Zhen Jiu”, translated literally means “needle-moxibustion”.  Moxibustion (often abbreviated ‘moxa’) is the application of heat to acupuncture of heat to acupuncture points and is one of the oldest and most effective forms of oriental therapy.  There are many techniques that are used in moxibustion therapy, but all methods create heat by burning moxa, an herb derived from drying the underside of mugwort plant’s leaves.  Mugwort is part of the chrysanthemum family.  Moxibustion is best combined with acupuncture, however when done alone it can achieve excellent results.

What can moxibustion treat?

     Moxibustion therapy in conjunction with acupuncture can be very effective for many diseases and conditions including back pain, muscle stiffness, headaches, migraines, tendonitis, arthritis, digestive disorders, anxiety, and female health problems such as menstrual cramps, irregular periods, and infertility.  It is also used regularly for the prevention of disease and the maintenance of health and well-being. 

How is moxibustion applied?

    Moxibustion can be applied in many different ways and the expected physiological reactions from moxibustion can vary depending on the type of technique used.  By carefully considering the type of moxibustion, and where and how to apply it, moxibustion can be used safely and effectively for almost all patients.  At A.D.I.O. Acupuncture & Wellness Center we use three techniques in the application of moxibustion; direct moxa, indirect moxa, and warm needle moxa.