What actually happens during an acupuncture session?

Many people arrive for their first appointment slightly nervous — especially if they dislike injections or have never had acupuncture before. There’s no need though…

The first session begins with a conversation about your pain, your general health, sleep, stress levels, energy, and anything that seems to aggravate or relieve your symptoms, followed by a physical assessment, where appropriate. This helps me build a fuller picture of what may be contributing to the pain so I can develop a treatment plan.

Treatment itself is typically very gentle. I always start gently and work up in intensity – always working with you, rather than telling you what’s going to happen. Acupuncture is all about balance. At a micro level, I’m mildly stressing your system to help rebalance it. Too much “stress” and you’ll ache after treatment. Not enough “stress” and nothing changes. A skilled acupuncturist is always assessing and modifying treatment intensity to get the best results. Stronger treatment is overwhelmingly not the best treatment.

The needles used in acupuncture are extremely fine — much finer than those used for blood tests or injections.The needles I use are 0.2mm wide. Most people feel very little as the needles are inserted. Occasionally there may be a brief tingling, warmth, heaviness, or dull ache around a point, which is completely normal.

Once the needles are in place, many people find the treatment surprisingly relaxing. Some even fall asleep during the session.

Appointments are always adapted to the individual. Some people come in with long-standing back pain, others with neck tension, migraines, stress-related symptoms, or pain that has persisted despite trying multiple other approaches.

You don’t need to “believe” in acupuncture for it to be worth exploring. In fact I’ve had vets and animal owners who have come to me after seeing the changes their horse or dog have undergone post acupuncture. Most people simply come because they want to feel better and regain some quality of life.