What does acupuncture feel like?

How fine the needles are

Acupuncture needles are nothing like the needles used for injections or blood tests. They are solid rather than hollow, and hair-fine; several of them fit inside the bore of one injection needle. That difference is most of the reason acupuncture feels so unlike what people picture.

At Back in Health, needles are sterile, single-use and disposed of after each session. Nothing is injected, and no needle is ever reused.

As the needles go in

Insertion is usually a brief pinch or nothing at all.

What follows is the part people find hard to picture in advance: a dull ache, heaviness or spreading warmth at some points, and no sensation at all at others. Most people describe it as a dull heaviness or warmth rather than a sharp prick.

Sharp, hot or electric feelings are worth mentioning straight away. Your acupuncturist can adjust or remove the needle, and saying so is part of the session rather than an interruption.

While the needles rest

Once the needles are placed, they usually rest in place for twenty to thirty minutes while you lie still in a quiet room. You are asked not to shift around much, but you do not need to hold your breath or stay rigid. A surprising number of people fall asleep.

If you feel cold, uncomfortable or lightheaded at any point, tell your acupuncturist. A blanket, a change of position or taking a needle out are simple to arrange.

Some sessions also include cupping or gua sha alongside the needles. Cupping feels like a firm pulling or suction on the skin, and gua sha, a smooth stone glided over the skin, feels like a firm stroke.

How you might feel afterwards

Afterwards you might feel notably relaxed, sometimes a little foggy for an hour, and occasionally lightly bruised at a point or two.

If you notice anything that worries you after a session, call the clinic or speak to your doctor.

Your first visit at Glenmore

Acupuncture at Back in Health is at our Glenmore clinic, #201-1014 Glenmore Dr in Kelowna, with Candice Jones, a Registered Acupuncturist and Massage Therapist. A first visit is 60 minutes and $140, and includes a full intake before any needles are used.

The intake covers the complaint you came in with and also sleep, digestion, stress and energy. Your acupuncturist then explains which points they plan to use and why, so nothing comes as a surprise. If you are nervous about needles, say so when you book; fewer points and a gentler start are both reasonable requests.

Have something light to eat beforehand, since arriving on an empty stomach can leave you lightheaded, and wear loose clothing that rolls up above the knee and elbow.

What to mention before you start

Mention anything that changes how needling is done when you book or at the start of the visit: blood thinners, a bleeding disorder, pregnancy or trying to conceive, a pacemaker, a needle phobia, or a history of fainting with needles. None of these automatically rules acupuncture out, but each one changes which points are used and how.

The Glenmore clinic is on the second floor, up a flight of stairs, and is not wheelchair accessible. There is a free on-site lot entered from Glenmore Dr or Mountain Ave. Appointments run from 6:30am, Monday to Saturday; hours vary by practitioner, so see open times in Jane. No referral is needed to book.