You might experience a sensation known as “Qi” (pronounced “chee”), which can feel like a dull ache, a tingling, or a mild sensation that travels along the body. This is a normal and desirable response.

If any sensation feels uncomfortable, your acupuncturist can easily adjust the needle. Acupuncture is meant to be a relaxing, restorative experience and many people even fall asleep during treatment!

So while you may feel something, acupuncture should never be painful.

It’s completely normal to feel uneasy about needles, especially if your only experience has been with hypodermic needles used for blood draws or vaccinations. Those needles are hollow and designed to allow fluids to flow in or out. Acupuncture needles are very different. We use ultra-thin, solid (not hollow) filiform needles—often as thin as a strand of hair. These needles are gently inserted into muscles, not into veins or nerves. Because of their size and design, acupuncture needles cause little to no discomfort. In fact, even babies and young children can safely and comfortably receive acupuncture treatments!

The frequency of acupuncture treatments depend on the reason you're seeking care. Every body is unique, and individuals respond to Chinese medicine in different ways.

In general, we recommend starting with regular, frequent treatments, typically 1–2 times per week, to help bring your symptoms under control. As your condition begins to improve, we gradually reduce the frequency to every 2–3 weeks. Once your symptoms have resolved or are well-managed, monthly maintenance treatments are encouraged to help prevent recurrence and to support overall wellness.

We usually suggest committing to an initial course of 6–12 treatments, after which we’ll re-evaluate your progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.

Your active involvement in the healing process is key. We often recommend supportive therapies such as Chinese herbal formulas, nutritional guidance, movement practices, and lifestyle adjustments to enhance your results. Acute issues often respond more quickly, while chronic conditions—especially those that have developed over years—may require more time and consistency to see lasting relief.

Acupuncture is also a proven tool for managing chronic pain. In fact, the CDC recommends acupuncture as a safe, effective alternative to opioids for pain relief.

Most acupuncture points are located along channels that run throughout the entire body. This interconnected network is one reason why different areas of the body influence each other. For example, an acupuncture point on the back of the leg can be used to treat low back pain because the channel connects those areas.

From a Western medical perspective, this connection can be understood through fascial planes and the nervous system, which link muscles and organs throughout the body. This explains why treating the low back can relieve neck pain, or why a foot massage might help ease a headache.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a medical system that has been used for thousands of years and has influenced many other forms of healthcare. Today, it’s still widely used alongside modern medicine in China and other East Asian countries.

Western medicine has also started recognizing the benefits of Chinese Medicine—because it works! Many doctors, physical therapists, and chiropractors now use acupuncture or similar (appropriated) techniques in their practices. In fact, licensed acupuncturists can often be found working in hospitals across the United States, and the U.S. military even uses ear acupuncture to help with pain and PTSD.

TCM is complex and personalized, which makes it challenging to research. There are many styles of acupuncture, herbal medicine, moxibustion, and bodywork from across Asia. With over 400 acupuncture points and countless ways to combine them, treatments vary widely depending on the individual and their needs at that moment.

That said, there is an exciting growing body of research for TCM and its modalities. We now have empirical evidence that acupuncture affects pain receptors, the nervous system, immune response, inflammation, and blood flow.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), herbal medicine is a core component used to restore balance and harmony within the body. TCM herbs are typically combined into formulas tailored to an individual’s specific pattern of disharmony, rather than treating isolated symptoms. These formulas may include roots, bark, flowers, seeds, and minerals, and work synergistically to address hormonal imbalances, provide opioid-free pain relief, improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, address underlying deficiencies and calm the nervous system without side effects.

Herbal medicine in TCM is deeply rooted in centuries of observation and practice, and continues to be widely used both in China and globally. Contrary to popular belief, a growing body of research supports the use of Chinese herbal formulas for a variety of conditions, including PCOS, insomnia and anxiety.

No, herbs and supplements are always optional and are only recommended when I believe your condition would benefit. As a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine with four years of supervised clinical training in herbal medicine, I always take into account any medications or supplements you are taking before I suggest adding to your regimen.