Does Acupuncture Hurt? Dispelling the Top 10 Myths About Eastern Medicine

Key Takeaways:

• Does acupuncture hurt? No—the needles are hair-thin and most patients feel a dull pressure or heaviness, not sharp pain

• Acupuncture is recognized by the NIH and WHO for treating real physical conditions, not just placebo

• Licensed acupuncturists in Tribeca use single-use sterile needles and follow some of the strictest safety standards in the country

Let's get the obvious question out of the way. You've thought about trying acupuncture but those needles make you nervous. Totally normal. At our Tribeca acupuncture practice, this is the number one concern new patients bring up, whether they're busy parents juggling schedules or professionals working downtown who don't have time to add more discomfort to their day.

Here's what might suprise you: acupuncture needles are nothing like the ones at your doctor's office. They're closer in thickness to a strand of hair. This post will use science and real facts to clear up ten misconceptions that keep people from trying a treatment that could help them.

Myth #1: Acupuncture Hurts Like a Doctor's Injection

This is probaly the most common reason people avoid acupuncture. The mental image of a flu shot or blood draw makes them cringe. But comparing these two types of needles is like comparing a garden hose to a piece of thread.

The Size Difference Explained

Medical syringes are hollow cutting tools. They have to be—they need to inject liquid or pull out blood. The tip has a beveled edge that slices through tissue, and that cutting action activates your pain receptors.

Acupuncture needles (called filiform needles) work completley different. They're solid, flexible, and have a rounded tip shaped like a pine needle. Instead of cutting through tissue, they slide between cells and muscle fibers.

Needle Type	Gauge	Diameter	What It Does
Medical Syringe	20-25	0.5-0.9mm	Cuts tissue to inject/extract fluid
Acupuncture	32-40	0.12-0.25mm	Displaces tissue gently

You can fit roughly 10 to 15 acupuncture needles inside a single standard hypodermic needle. Because the needle is so fine, it often bypasses the skin's pain receptors entirely.

What Does It Feel Like?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the goal isn't to feel nothing. Practitioners look for something called De Qi (pronounced "duh-chee"), which means "the arrival of Qi." What does that mean for you on the table?

The sensations you might feel:

• Heaviness, like a lead weight resting on the area

• Distention or pressure, similar to a balloon slightly inflating under the skin

• A dull ache, like post-workout muscle soreness

• Traveling warmth or tingling that moves along the limb

None of these should feel sharp. If something does feel sharp or stinging, that's a signal to tell your practitioner so they can adjust. For many stressed New Yorkers, these sensations are relaxing enough that they fall asleep on the table.

Myth #2: It's Just a Placebo Effect

"It's all in your head" is a phrase acupuncturists hear a lot. If acupuncture only worked because people belived it would, we'd have to explain why it works on animals and infants who don't have belief systems.

The National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization both recognize acupuncture for treating real physical conditions. This isn't fringe science—major NYC hospitals integrate acupuncture into their pain management programs.

The Science Behind It

When needles are inserted at specific points, they trigger measurable physiological responses:

• Endorphin release: Your body produces natural painkillers

• Serotonin production: Mood-regulating chemicals increase

• Nervous system regulation: The needles stimulate nerve fibers that send signals to the brain

• Fascia response: Needles interact with connective tissue, mechanically releasing tightness

One study found that twisting the needle slightly winds the fascia like spaghetti on a fork. This mechanical stretching releases tension and improves communication between tissues. The "acupuncture nap" happens because your body floods with relaxation signals.

Myth #3: Acupuncture is Only for Back Pain

Yes, acupuncture helps with neck and back pain. But reducing it to just a back treatment ignores that it's a complete medical system.

What Else Gets Treated

Mental Health: Living in a fast-paced city creates chronic stress. Acupuncture for anxiety helps regulate the nervous system and reduce cortisol.

Migraines and Headaches: Migraine relief through acupuncture addresses both the symptom and the underlying patterns causing the pain.

Fertility: Many families in Tribeca seek fertility acupuncture as part of their conception support. It helps regulate hormones and improve blood flow to reproductive organs.

Digestive Issues: IBS, bloating, and stress-related gut problems respond well to treatment. The gut-brain connection means calming the nervous system often calms digestion.

Tech Neck: Professionals who spend hours at computers develop specific tension patterns. Acupuncture releases those trigger points while addressing the muscular imbalances.

Myth #4: It Conflicts with Western Medicine

Some people think they have to choose between their doctor and an acupuncturist. That's not how it works.

The term for this is integrative medicine. Your acupuncturist can work alongside your primary care doctor, physical therapist, or specialist. Many patients see better results when treatments complement each other rather than compete.

At our Tribeca clinic, we're happy to coordinate with your doctors to ensure care is aligned. This might mean timing treatments around medication schedules or sharing notes about progress.

Acupuncture doesn't require you to stop taking prescriptions or ignore your doctor's advice. It adds another tool to your health toolkit.

Myth #5: Acupuncture Needles Are Unsanitary

Every legitimate acupuncturist uses single-use, sterile needles that come in sealed packages. After one use, they go into medical sharps containers and are disposed of as medical waste.

New York State has some of the strictest licensing requirements for acupuncturists (L.Ac) in the country. Getting licensed requires a Master's degree, extensive clinical training, and passing national board exams.

The needles are:

• Pre-sterilized by the manufacturer

• Sealed in individual packaging

• Never reused under any circumstances

• Disposed of as regulated medical waste

If you visit a licensed practitioner, sanitation standards meet or exceed what you'd find in a doctor's office.

Myth #6: One Session Will Fix Everything

This might be the myth that causes the most frustration. Someone tries acupuncture once, doesn't feel dramatically different, and decides it doesn't work.

Think of it like physical therapy or going to the gym. You wouldn't do one workout and expect to be in shape. Acupuncture is cumulative—each session builds on the last.

Typical Treatment Plans

Condition Type	Sessions Usually Needed	Frequency
Acute pain (recent injury)	4-6	1-2x per week
Chronic conditions	8-12	Weekly initially
Maintenance/wellness	Ongoing	Monthly

We know Tribeca schedules are packed. Nobody wants another appointment. But consistency determines results. Most patients notice significant changes after 4-6 sessions, with continued improvement as treatment progresses.

Myth #7: Dry Needling is the Same as Acupuncture

People often confuse these two practices because both use thin needles. They're quite different in approach, training, and sensation.

Dry Needling:

• Focuses only on trigger points (muscle knots)

• Often more painful—practitioners deliberately create a "twitch response"

• Performed by physical therapists with weekend certification courses

• Treats only the local area of pain

Acupuncture:

• Treats the whole body system, not just the sore spot

• Generally gentler, seeking De Qi sensation instead of twitches

• Requires a Master's degree and thousands of clinical hours

• Uses established points along energy pathways called meridians

A patient with shoulder pain might get dry needling directly in the shoulder. An acupuncturist might also use points on the opposite arm, the foot, or the ear—all of which connect to the shoulder through the meridian system.

Myth #8: It's Only for "New Age" or Spiritual People

The patient base at most acupuncture clinics tells a different story. Lawyers, finance professionals, tech workers, parents, athletes—the demographic is as practical as it gets.

People come because they want results. Their back hurts and they've tried everything else. They can't sleep and don't want to depend on pills. They're trying to get pregnant and looking for any edge.

Acupuncture has been practiced for over 2,500 years. It survived that long because it works, not because it's trendy. You don't have to believe in anything mystical. You don't have to change your lifestyle or adopt a philosophy.

You just have to show up and let the needles do their job.

Myth #9: You Have to Believe in Qi for It to Work

Related to the above, some people dismiss acupuncture because the concept of Qi sounds too abstract. Fair enough—energy flowing through invisible channels isn't how most of us think about the body.

But here's the thing: acupuncture works on animals. Veterinary acupuncture treats dogs, horses, and cats. These animals don't have belief systems or placebo expectations. Yet they experience measurable pain relief and improved function.

The same goes for infants. Babies receiving acupuncture for colic or sleep issues can't understand what's happening, let alone believe it will help. Still, they respond.

Western medicine explains these effects through nerve stimulation, endorphin release, and fascia manipulation. Eastern medicine explains them through Qi and meridians. Both frameworks describe the same phenomenon from different angles.

What matters is that the needles trigger real, measurable physiological changes regardless of what you believe.

Myth #10: Acupuncture Has Dangerous Side Effects

Compare the side effect profile of acupuncture to most pharmaceuticals and the difference is stark.

Possible side effects of acupuncture:

• Occasional tiny bruise at needle site

• Temporary drowsiness (the "acupuncture high")

• Mild soreness that resolves within hours

Common side effects of prescription pain medications:

• Nausea, constipation, dizziness

• Dependency and tolerance

• Organ damage with long-term use

When performed by a licensed acupuncturist using sterile single-use needles, acupuncture is one of the safest pain management options available. Serious complications are extremely rare and almost always linked to unqualified practitioners.

What a Session Feels Like: Step by Step

If you decide to book an appointment, here's what to expect so there are no suprises:

1. The Intake Your practitioner will ask about sleep, digestion, temperature preferences (do you run hot or cold?), and emotional state. They'll take your pulse on both wrists—not just for rate, but for quality. Is it slippery? Wiry? Thready? They'll also look at your tongue for color, shape, and coating.

2. The Insertion You lie on a comfortable table. The practitioner uses a guide tube—a small plastic tube that rests against the skin—and taps the needle in quickly. You feel the tap of the tube more than the needle itself.

3. The Retention Once needles are placed (usually 10-20 points), you rest for 20-40 minutes. Most people fall into a dreamlike state. This is your parasympathetic nervous system taking over.

4. The Aftermath Drink plenty of water afterward. Avoid heavy workouts or alcohol for about 12 hours while your body processes the treatment.

Meet Dr. Danielle M. Solomon DACM, L.AC.

Dr. Danielle Solomon is a licensed acupuncturist in both New York and New Jersey and a Board Certified Herbalist. She graduated from Rutgers University's Environmental Science Program before pursuing Environmental Medicine, completing her four-year Master of Science at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine and later her Doctorate in Chinese Medicine.

Dr. Solomon expanded her training at the Tibetan Hospital for Traditional Chinese Medicine in Beijing, studying with senior acupuncturist Dr. Wang Ju-yi.

She specializes in women's health from puberty through menopause, integrating environmental medicine, Eastern and Western herbal medicine, functional medicine, gua sha, stone medicine, acupuncture, and facial esthetics for her patients' wellbeing.

Still nervous? That's completely understandable. If you're in Tribeca or Downtown Manhattan, come by for a consultation. We can show you the needles, discuss your health history, and put your mind at ease before any treatment begins.

Book your visit at our Tribeca clinic here

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an acupuncture session last? 

A typical session runs 45-60 minutes, including intake and needle retention time. First appointments may take longer due to the comprehensive health history review.

Is acupuncture covered by insurance? 

Many insurance plans now cover acupuncture, especially for pain management. Check with your provider about your specific plan's coverage.

How soon will I feel results? 

Some patients notice improvement after the first session. Others need 4-6 sessions before significant changes. Chronic conditions generally take longer to respond than acute issues.

Can I get acupuncture while pregnant? 

Yes, when performed by a qualified practitioner. Certain points are avoided during pregnancy, but acupuncture can help with nausea, back pain, and labor preparation.

What should I wear to an appointment? 

Loose, comfortable clothing works best. You may need to expose areas like your lower legs, arms, or back. Many clinics provide gowns if needed.

Does acupuncture help with anxiety and stress relief in NYC? 

Yes. Acupuncture helps regulate the nervous system, reducing cortisol levels and activating the body's relaxation response.

What's the difference between acupuncture and cupping? 

Acupuncture uses needles to stimulate specific points. Cupping uses suction cups to increase blood flow and release muscle tension. Many practitioners use both techniques together.

How does acupuncture work for pain? 

Needles stimulate nerve fibers that block pain signals to the brain, trigger endorphin release, and release tension in fascia and muscles.