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Afraid of needles?Don't be! Acupuncture needles are only slightly larger than a human hair.
So what are acupuncture needles made of?Most acupuncture needles used today are made of stainless steel, although copper, silver and even gold needles are still used. (Some people believe that Gold can enhance Qi - the energy flow). There are many types of acupuncture needle, varying in length, width and head shape, but only six types are now in common use. The length of a needle can vary from 1cm to 15cm and the diameter from 0.25mm to 0.45mm. The lengths of most commonly used needles are between 2.5cm and 4cm.
All needles used by acupuncturists are kept in sterile packaging and once used, (and ONLY once!) are disposed of in accordance with health and safety regulations. ................................................................ Acupuncture needles are different from hypodermic needles used for injections or for taking blood as they have fine but SOLID shafts which makes them difficult to bend or break despite their fineness. They also have a tapered end so they do not cause bruising or tissue damage when inserted. Needles for injections or taking blood samples have HOLLOW shafts and a "cutting" end which can cause tissue damage and bruising on insertion. ................................................................
How are the needles inserted during an acupuncture session?
During an acupuncture session, the needles are inserted by putting them in a small tube-like holder first to keep them from bending as they are inserted. The acupuncturist taps the top of the holder to insert the very fine needle either straight or at an oblique angle at specific points, usually to a depth of about a quarter of an inch into the skin, though this can be up to a whole inch! The holder is then removed to leave the acupuncture needle in place.
Why are there different sizes of acupuncture needles?
The size of the needles used depends on the area of the body where they are to be inserted. For example, areas such as the buttocks, where there is more "cushioning", require longer, thicker needles, while small, thin needles are used where the flesh is thinner and closer to the bone, for example on the face.
How many needles are inserted?
Depending on the treatment, anything from 1 to 20 needles may be inserted and the location and depth of insertion will also vary according to the treatment.
Surely putting a needle more than a centimetre into the skin will hurt?
You may feel a slight numbness, pressure or a tingling sensation but NO, acupuncture needles do not hurt...unless you are receiving the treatment from someone who is not a professional acupuncturist, in other words because they have inserted the needle incorrectly.
How does the acupuncturist know where to stick the needles?Your acupuncturist will insert the needles into specific areas beneath the epidermis known as acupoints. These points represent specific areas where the Qi flows and once located correctly, the patient should feel a "needling sensation" which indicates the flow of Qi. In some treatments, the practitioner may twist or move the needles manually after insertion to increase the passage of Qi. Alternatively, a weak electrical current may be passed through the needle to enhance the flow of Qi in a technique called Moxibustion. Qi (pronounced chee), balances the opposing forces of Yin and Yang. When Yin and Yang are in harmony, Qi flows freely along pathways called meridians and you stay healthy, but when the Qi gets blocked you become ill. Inserting needles into points along a meridian unblocks Qi and restores the body's healthy balance.
Still afraid of needles?If you are interested in trying Facial Rejuvenation acupuncture as a way to combat the aging process, then why not try it and see? Most people find their treatment with acupuncture needles relaxing and refreshing. Did you know? Acupuncture DOES have real health benefits as a recent study in proved using the classic " placebo" effect. German scientists tested the therapy by treating one group of patients with acupuncture and another with a fake procedure designed to simulate its feel. The patients all had shoulder pain. The fake therapy was administered using a "placebo" needle which, like a theatrical dagger, retracts into the handle when pressed onto the skin. So whilst the patient feels a pinprick and "sees" the needle being put in, there is no real treatment going on. Those patients who received the real therapy showed much bigger improvements in their health.
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