So there I was, laying on a table in a dark room with approximately 15 or so needles in me: two in each wrist, one on top of each foot, one in the center of my forehead and several down the length of my stomach. I was, quite literally, pinned down.
But much to my surprise, I wouldn't describe my first acupuncture session as in any way painful. In fact, quite the opposite.
What started as a slight tingling sensation — officially called de qi (de-chee) — at the needle insertion sites evolved into an almost airy, euphoria-like sensation that didn't stop when the session ended. The feeling lingered for hours afterwards.
Furthermore, the symptoms that prompted my visit to the acupuncturist, mainly stomach problems, were temporarily relieved. What was happening to my body, and how could the insertion of a set of needles do that?
For many Westerners, including myself, Eastern medicine practices are a fairly foreign concept. Besides yoga, massage and meditation, I didn't really know what it involved or, for that matter, whether it worked at all. After a productive session, however, I needed to know more.
How Western medicine and Eastern medicine differ
According to Dr. Linda Pearson, a pain management physician and board-certified medical acupuncturist at Houston Methodist, Eastern medicine (also called traditional Chinese medicine) operates through a slightly different lens than Western medicine, which is based on the identification and treatment of specific symptoms.
"In Eastern medicine, we're trying to figure out what the root cause is that could have disturbed your inner being," says Dr. Pearson. "Over time, this imbalance can manifest as more and more symptoms until it arrives at a point where you need to see a doctor."
In Eastern medicine, our inner balance or "flow" as Dr. Pearson describes it, is referred to as qi (chee). Literally meaning breath, air or vapor, qi is described as the electricity that runs through our body and makes us alive. Some sources call it our life force; others describe it as the fundamental energy to the universe that flows through all living things.
"Qi is something that all of us are born with, traveling in a circuitous pattern throughout the body," says Dr. Pearson. "Changes that occur in the body from what we eat, what we are exposed to in the environment, how much mental or physical stress is upon is can cause disruptions in the natural flow of our electrical circuit."
This disruption of our electrical circuit, qi, is what is thought to contribute to the development of pain and disease, according to Eastern medicine philosophy. Thus, the goal of Eastern medicine treatments like acupuncture is to restore the smooth flow of qi across the body. In Western medicine speak, it's akin to homeostasis — aka the body's ability to retain optimal function despite changes in our environment.
How acupuncture works to heal and restore inner balance
In Eastern medicine, it's thought that the flow of qi can be accessed along locations (channels) throughout our bodies. Acupuncture points, or acupoints, represent these specific places along such channels where qi can be accessed.
In classic acupuncture, there were 365 acupoints located on 14 main channels through which qi flows throughout the body to maintain and promote health. Each channel is associated with specific organs, but don't necessarily correspond anatomically. For example, the two needles I got in my feet during my session corresponded with the liver channel. Those in the wrist often correspond with stress and anxiety. Over time, practitioners have added nearly 2,000 acupoints.
"Acupuncture can help direct the electrical energy within the body to help heal and get a person's electrical circuit back to a normal flow," says Dr. Pearson. "Acupuncture, however, is but one of many options to help people get unstuck."
Acupressure — which uses pressure rather than needles — along these acupoints as well as deep massages, better nutrition, adequate sleep, stress management, social relationships and regular movement and exercise are ways that Dr. Pearson notes can help to restore our electrical circuitry.
There's also electroacupuncture, which is less scary than it sounds. It's a modern twist on traditional acupuncture that involves applying a mild electrical current to the needles. According to Dr. Pearson, electroacupuncture helps connect the electrical energy between nerves and muscles more efficiently. Different frequencies (Hz) of electricity, she says, correspond to different chemicals that can be released within the body to calm and help relieve pain. Traditionally, this was achieved by twirling the needle to stimulate the flow of qi, says Dr. Pearson.
(Related: Which OTC Pain Reliever is Right for Me?)
Acupuncture is different from dry needling
Both acupuncture and dry needling — another popular treatment involving needles to treat pain — have one thing in common: needles. But that's where their similarities end.
"Dry needling targets specific muscles that are knotted and tender, also known as trigger points, that can be painful and need to be released," says Dr. Pearson. "With acupuncture, we are connecting our nerve and muscle bundles, aka acupuncture points, to activate our electrical circuit for repair."
Ultimately, it boils down to Western vs. Eastern medicine philosophy: As a Western medicine treatment, dry needling targets specific symptoms, whereas acupuncture — as Dr. Pearson says — is designed to treat the whole person and the root cause of their imbalances.
Acupuncture may benefit a wide variety of symptoms
In the U.S., most people seek acupuncture to relieve chronic pain, including back, neck and joint pain. Medicare, for example, covers up to 12 acupuncture treatments over 90 days for chronic low back pain and even more if you show symptom improvement. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that acupuncture may benefit an array of conditions, including:
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Fibromyalgia
- Tension headaches and migraines
- Addiction and withdrawals
- Anxiety and depression
- Insomnia
- Chronic constipation
- Asthma
As a pain management physician, Dr. Pearson treats patients for pain-related issues, but she also says she can help with virtually any ailment, ranging from smoking cessation to curbing appetites to promote weight loss.
(Related: How to Manage Chronic Pain)
What you can expect during an acupuncture treatment
Before any pokes or prods, your acupuncturist will most likely start with a comprehensive overview of any symptoms you might be experiencing, not unlike a Western doctor. However, your acupuncturist may also want to examine your tongue (first and foremost), eyes, face, and the pulse in both of your wrists. According to traditional Chinese medical theory, these external factors are reflective of the state of your internal organs.
While it might seem unusual, the tongue in Chinese medicine is considered a window into the body's overall health. To the acupuncturist, a tongue's color, shape, coating and any cracking are all important indicators of health that should be considered in most diagnoses.
Now comes the fun part: the needles! Once you receive a diagnosis, your acupuncturist will then get you in a comfortable position and insert anywhere from five to 20 needles in specific points in order to correct the disruption in your flow. The needles will stay in for anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, after which they're removed.
"I usually tell my patients that acupuncture is more of a maintenance treatment option versus a one-time fix," says Dr. Pearson. "We as humans are constantly in motion, actively changing every day, and treatments will vary over time and based on the circumstances we face."
What you can expect after an acupuncture treatment
Turns out that euphoric feeling during and after my session is "almost expected," says Dr. Pearson.
"After an acupuncture session, patients tend to feel airy, relaxed and, at times, even tired," she says. "That's all the endorphins circulating in the body."
Because of this, Dr. Pearson recommends that patients avoid any strenuous activity, heavy meals or attending any attention-requiring events immediately following treatment.
Acupuncture isn't supposed to hurt
Let's face it: Getting a shot hurts. However, acupuncture needles and hypodermic needles (that is, shots) are nowhere near the same thing. Acupuncture needles are sterile, solid, single-use and about the size of a strand of hair — nowhere near the thickness of a syringe. In other words, acupuncture needles don't hurt.
"Acupuncture is not meant to be painful, and we don't use a million needles in every point in the body," says Dr. Pearson. "We utilize heat, electrical currents, hands-on treatments, and relaxing music or aromas to help with relaxation during treatment sessions."
If anything, you might feel a dull, heavy or tingling feeling — de qi — at the needle insertion sites like I did. According to Dr. Pearson, this is common but not always felt.
"Most of the time, de qi is not a painful sensation but more of a quick discomfort or no sensation at all," she says. "Needling the muscle nerve bundles and the use of electroacupuncture will release natural endorphins that are actually relaxing and pain-reducing."
In traditional Chinese medicine, de qi is actually considered a good sign, indicating that the needle has initiated the healing process.
Acupuncture is well-tolerated by almost everyone
Acupuncture is generally safe and well-tolerated with relatively few complications when performed by a licensed acupuncturist, whose practices are regulated through state medical board or commissions. Physicians and advanced practice providers who offer acupuncture should be board-certified in medical acupuncture, Dr. Pearson adds.
"There is the possible risk of puncturing a blood vessel, which can cause temporary bruising and nerve irritation, and very rarely is there a risk of a tiny needle puncture to the lung, which normally does not require emergency treatment," says Dr. Pearson. "Infection is not typically a concern as we utilize sterile needles and clean hands."
Interestingly, according to acupuncture theory, some acupuncture points can induce labor, so pregnant women will want to inform their acupuncturist of their status during their consultation, Dr. Pearson adds. Otherwise, she says, acupuncture is safe for everyone.
"I think acupuncture is more essential than what most of us treat it as in the U.S.," says Dr. Pearson. "You don't have to have a certain ailment or symptom to go see an acupuncturist. We can provide maintenance treatments and figure out a treatment plan for almost anything. If I could or had the time, I would treat everyone with acupuncture."
Which reminds me: I'm overdue for my next session.
