Is Acupuncture Painful?-Acupuncture in St. James

When people hear the word acupuncture, they usually think of needles in the skin. While this is true, acupuncture is never intended to be painful, and most patients who receive acupuncture say that they feel little to no pain. There are often sensations felt aside from pain that will indicate that the acupuncture is taking effect. If you are looking for acupuncture in St. James, or want to know more about acupuncture, contact Dr. Raymond Semente!

The Needles

The seemingly scariest part of acupuncture to outsiders is, of course, the needles! You may dislike pricking your finger on needles or getting shots at the doctor, but the needles used in acupuncture are very different from the ones used in those scenarios. The needles used in acupuncture are extremely thin, so much so that many patients don’t even feel them being inserted. For those who do feel something when the needle is inserted, the sensation does not resemble pain, but rather a feeling of heaviness or dullness. While sharp pain is rarely felt, sensations of mild or dull aches along with tingling usually indicate that the acupuncture is fulfilling its purpose. Yet, if you do experience sharp, severe pain during acupuncture, be sure to let your practitioner know right away.

The Pain

As mentioned previously, there should be little to no discomfort when the needles are inserted, but pain may be present on some rare occasions. Keep in mind that it is vital to visit an experienced professional when receiving acupuncture because pain can arise if you choose to visit a practitioner with minimal experience. Simply inserting the needle too deeply or using too large of a needle can cause sharp pain. While needle manipulation is common in acupuncture and helps with the procedure, when done incorrectly, it can lead to some pain as well. A painful acupuncture experience can be avoided when you visit reliable, experienced acupuncturists like Dr. Raymond Semente and his team who perform acupuncture in St. James on Long Island.

The Benefits

Acupuncture offers a wide range of benefits, especially to those suffering from pain. The practice has been used in ancient Chinese, Japanese, and Korean civilizations to relieve pain all over the body. Acupuncture can be used to treat a variety of ailments, such as migraines, back and neck pain, and menstrual cramps. The procedure can also help to relieve stress through stimulation of the nerves and tissues in the area in which the pain is present. Acupuncture is generally risk-free and is an excellent alternative to potentially addictive medications like pain relievers or opioids.

Acupuncture in St. James

While acupuncture may seem intimidating to some, it is a great way to relieve your pain so you can continue doing the things you love! Here at Dr. Raymond Semente’s Chiropractic office, we have an excellent team of acupuncturists that are ready to help you feel your best. If you have any concerns about acupuncture, or if you are looking for acupuncture in St. James, contact us today!