- I’ve been struggling with __________ for years. Will acupuncture help?
- Yes. The foundational texts of Eastern medicine, dating back over 2,000 years, explain how needles and herbs are used to treat literally every disease: from sprained ankles to sciatica, from ADHD to migraines, from painful periods to carpal tunnel syndrome, from indigestion to diabetic neuropathy. If you’re not sure Eastern medicine is right for you, making an appointing is your next step.
- I tried acupuncture before, it didn’t help at all.
- Every person is different and every practitioner has their own unique style and techniques. The vast majority of people begin seeing positive results after 6 treatments. If you’re unfortunately in the minority who has had a few treatments with no results, it’s probably worth trying again with someone new.
- Will it hurt?
- The goal of acupuncture is not to elicit pain. Patient sensitivity varies, but most describe a sensation of tingling or slight numbness. Pain or discomfort is rare, or usually reduces very quickly.
- I don’t like needles.
- Many people think “needles” and think of lab tests or getting shots. Acupuncture is very different. The needles we use are MUCH smaller, and typically cause no or little pain or discomfort.
- No seriously, I REALLY don’t like needles.
- Understandable. Some people simply can’t do needles at all, be it from phobia, extreme discomfort, or in very rare cases metal allergies. The umbrella of Eastern medicine has long included herbs, cupping, moxibustion, tui na, qi gong, and more. You can still gain the benefits of this medicine even if needles are an absolute no-go for you.
- Do you do dry needling?
- This is a practice that’s become popular in recent years among chiropractors, physical therapists, and occasionally Western MDs. In the state of California a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Herbs is a full-time 6 year program including 1,000 hours of supervised clinical internship. Dry needling certification requires less than one week of training. Though dry needling can have benefits, especially for physical injuries like sprains and strains, unsurprisingly an increasing number of patients have been having bad experiences from dry needling advocates with minimal experience.
- Isn’t acupuncture pseudoscience?
- Science is by definition a field where things are constantly changing and growing. Western research into acupuncture was at one time non-existent, and then for a long time poorly researched and executed. This has changed a lot in the 21st century. There are a great number of peer-reviewed studies from the last decade or two showing acupuncture’s efficacy in treatment a myriad of disorders.
Neuroplastic Mechanisms of Acupuncture in Post-Stroke Motor Recovery: A Randomized Multimodal MRI Trial
“[True acupuncture] treatment significantly alleviated neurological impairment and enhanced motor recovery. Its therapeutic effect is underpinned by specific neuroplastic changes: Functional modulation of DMN dynamics and structural promotion of gray matter plasticity in regions critical for sensorimotor and cognitive-motor integration, which are essential for movement control.”1
Acupuncture and electroacupuncture for anxiety disorders: A systematic review of the clinical research
“Overall, there is good scientific evidence encouraging acupuncture therapy to treat anxiety disorders as it yields effective outcomes, with fewer side effects than conventional treatment.”2
Effects of acupuncture on menopause-related symptoms and quality of life in women in natural menopause: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
“This meta-analysis confirms that acupuncture improves hot flash frequency and severity, menopause-related symptoms, and quality of life (in the vasomotor domain) in women experiencing natural menopause.”3
Acupuncture for Chronic Pain: Update of an Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis
“Acupuncture is effective for the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal, headache, and osteoarthritis pain. Treatment effects of acupuncture persist over time and cannot be explained solely in terms of placebo effects. Referral for a course of acupuncture treatment is a reasonable option for a patient with chronic pain.”4
1. Yu X, Zhao N, Liu Y, Zheng S, Luo D, Chen Q, Zeng F, Chen J, Jia Y, Zou Y. Neuroplastic Mechanisms of Acupuncture in Post-Stroke Motor Recovery: A Randomized Multimodal MRI Trial. CNS Neurosci Ther. 2026 Jun;32(6):e70955. doi: 10.1002/cns.70955. PMID: 42231817; PMCID: PMC13239543.
2. Amorim D, Amado J, Brito I, Fiuza SM, Amorim N, Costeira C, Machado J. Acupuncture and electroacupuncture for anxiety disorders: A systematic review of the clinical research. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2018 May;31:31-37. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.01.008. Epub 2018 Jan 31. PMID: 29705474.
3. Chiu HY, Pan CH, Shyu YK, Han BC, Tsai PS. Effects of acupuncture on menopause-related symptoms and quality of life in women in natural menopause: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Menopause. 2015 Feb;22(2):234-44. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000000260. PMID: 25003620.
4. Vickers AJ, Vertosick EA, Lewith G, MacPherson H, Foster NE, Sherman KJ, Irnich D, Witt CM, Linde K; Acupuncture Trialists’ Collaboration. Acupuncture for Chronic Pain: Update of an Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis. J Pain. 2018 May;19(5):455-474. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2017.11.005. Epub 2017 Dec 2. PMID: 29198932; PMCID: PMC5927830.