Acupuncture Shouldn't "Hurt" — But Here's What It Does Feel Like

I decided to go to acupuncture to find relief from various physical pains and explore my own internal energy, or chi. When I showed up for my first appointment a couple of months ago, I didn't know what to expect—and yes, I was a little worried it would hurt. I was pleasantly surprised to find it didn't, or at least not in the way I expected.

First, it's worth noting that everyone responds to acupuncture differently. For me, certain needles, or filaments, caused a dull ache, but beyond that I didn't really feel them at all—partially because they are so thin. There were occasionally sensitive spots, like my knees and hips, but I've since been told that there was a purpose to those sensations. (More on that, later.) This experience jibes with what Toni Haugen, L.Ac, a licensed acupuncturist who works out of Buffalo, New York, has seen with many of her patients.

So, while acupuncture probably won't feel like being stabbed by a dozen needles, you can expect to feel something during a session.

"When adjusting the filament, I explain to the patients they may feel a mild, dull, and achy sensation that will immediately begin to fade," Haugen says. "It's a feeling that exists on the interior of the body and feels more like the body responding to stimulus and not like something has been inserted into the skin."

"The sensations you'll experience through acupuncture are a reflection of where you're at," notes acupuncturist Deganit Nuur. Some people report feeling like they're floating, for instance, which usually happens "when people have been [feeling] stagnant or depressed," she says.

"Others will feel very heavy, as if there's a weighted blanket on them, indicating that perhaps they were ungrounded, frenetic, or anxious before the session," she adds. "Some feel buzzing or tingling all over—the movement of chi within."

"Feeling nothing is more of a red flag," Nuur says. "Experiencing pain suggests you're connected and not dissociating. Your body is speaking to you, and that's great! We take all sensations as feedback that help us better diagnose and treat the disharmony at hand." Haugen agrees and compares an acupuncture session to a super deep massage. It may feel a bit uncomfortable but also good—and necessary.

I found acupuncture to be an effective therapy, but I know it's not a cure-all. To reap the most benefits of the practice, you need to repeat it and couple it with other healthy lifestyle choices.

"Acupuncture has both a shelf life and a cumulative effect," Nuur notes. "At first, the benefits may last just a few days (shelf life); however, the longer you come in for, the longer the benefits last (cumulative effect)."

If you're new to acupuncture, Nuur and Haugen say it's ideal to visit your practitioner weekly at first, and then scale back to monthly or even seasonal sessions.

"Think of it as a practice akin to yoga, or meditation," Haugen adds, "in that it can help with something specific, but if you continue to participate, you'll feel better and better."