Skip to main content

8 Things Most People Don’t Know About Acupuncture

min read

By Emily Lockhart

What do you think of when you hear the word “acupuncture”?

For many, the term evokes images of ancient Chinese gurus piercing the skin with long, thin, scary-looking needles while bloodcurdling screams fill the air—a misnomer based on a general lack of information.

Luckily, I’m here to set the record, or needle, straight, by enlightening you on eight little-known facts about acupuncture…

1. Ancient Acupuncture Practice

Many folks know that acupuncture originated in China thousands of years ago. However, the Daoists (or Taoists) are credited as the first to practice acupuncture as part of their philosophical, ethical, and religious tradition—one that dates back over 8000 years, and emphasizes that life should be lived in harmony with the Tao (a path, principle, or flow of energy that drives the universe and everything that exists).


2. Current Day Acupuncture

Only recently is acupuncture being prescribed in the Western world, and still with much reluctance, although the practice is proven to be an effective alternative to many prescription drugs. More and more scientific research is acknowledging that acupuncture is beneficial for the treatment of menstrual and menopausal symptoms, to manage pain, to ease the side effects of chemotherapy and the symptoms of fibromyalgia, to treat migraines, and to strengthen the immune system.  In fact, a newer study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, collected data from 18,000 participants who took part in acupuncture studies.  Findings showed that acupuncture should be considered a valid treatment for all types of chronic pain (i.e., arthritis, chronic back pain, anxiety, the effects of chemotherapy, and in the treatment of obesity). In the United Kingdom, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) approves doctor-prescribed acupuncture for chronic tension headaches and low back pain.


3. The Mystery of Acupuncture at Work

Even though the scientific data is gradually increasing as to the benefits of acupuncture, many Western doctors still don’t know exactly how it works. If you read the traditional Chinese theory, acupuncture aims to unblock and realign energy flow pathways (or meridians) within the patient. However, Western medical bodies, like the Mayo Clinic, claim that acupuncture maps out vital points in the body via nerves, muscles, and connective tissues—when stimulated, blood flow increases to these areas, and triggers the bodies natural opioids (i.e., endorphins).


4. Acupuncture is Painless

Remember those shrieks of pain you anticipated hearing upon setting foot in an acupuncture clinic? Those aren’t typical at all, according to over 3 million Americans who visit acupuncturists each year for pain relief and attest to the fact that acupuncture is a painless experience. Many first time patients are actually surprised by how relaxed they feel during a session. This is because the acupuncture needles used are extremely hair-thin and flexible for precise insertion, and unless a needle is inserted incorrectly, which is rare with trained acupuncturists, you will never feel discomfort, only a bit of gentle pressure.


5. Needles Don’t Pierce Areas in Pain

Acupuncture enlists a map of roughly 350 acupressure points—or areas of stimulation along the body where needles are inserted during a treatment. However, if you visit a acupuncturist with a chronic migraine that doesn’t mean the needles will be inserted directly into the skin at your temples. In fact, most acupuncture practitioners will tell you that needles are rarely inserted at the exact site of pain.


6. Acupuncture Doesn’t Just Employ Needles

If you thought acupuncture was only and all about inserting needles—think again! The practice enlists several other modes of stimulation to acupressure points, such as:


7. Acupuncture’s Complementary Approach to Health

If you have the same approach to acupuncture as you do to antibiotics—take a full round and you’ll be well—you may be surprised to learn that acupuncture takes a whole-body approach to healing vs. focusing on curing one symptom (i.e., headache). So if you suffer from chronic migraines, an practitioner will likely recommend diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes that focus on complete health and wellbeing.


8. Acupuncture Considerations

Before simply looking up acupuncturists online and booking an appointment, it’s wise to first discuss treatment possibilities with your doctor. After all, a current medication, unrelated medical condition (i.e., dermatological disorder), or medical aid (i.e., a pacemaker) could mix adversely with acupuncture. Also, choosing a licensed acupuncturist is wise if you happen to live in one of the 35 states that adhere to standards by the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture and the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates safe practices (i.e., sterility of needles).

Emily Lockhart

Contributor

Emily Lockhart is a weight loss expert who specializes in healthy living. She is dedicated to providing health-conscious individuals with the information they need to make great lifestyle choices that will make them look and feel better. In her spare time, Emily teaches Pilates at a local studio and enjoys activities like hiking, rowing and biking.

Your Health

Explore

What Do Your Blood Test Results Mean? A Toxicologist Explains the Basics of How to Interpret Them
By Brad Reisfeld Your Health

What Do Your Blood Test Results Mean? A Toxicologist Explains the Basics of How to Interpret Them

Your blood serves numerous roles to maintain your health. To carry out these functions, blood contains a multitude of components, including red blood cells that transport oxygen, nutrients and hormones; white blood cells that remove waste products and support the immune system; plasma that regulates temperature; and platelets that help with clotting. Within the blood […]

Read More about What Do Your Blood Test Results Mean? A Toxicologist Explains the Basics of How to Interpret Them

5 min read

Dietary Supplements and Protein Powders Fall Under a ‘Wild West’ of Unregulated Products That Necessitate Caveats And Caution
By Emily Hemendinger and Katie Suleta Your Health

Dietary Supplements and Protein Powders Fall Under a ‘Wild West’ of Unregulated Products That Necessitate Caveats And Caution

Dietary supplements are a big business. The industry made almost US$39 billion in revenue in 2022, and with very little regulation and oversight, it stands to keep growing. The marketing of dietary supplements has been quite effective, with 77% of Americans reporting feeling that the supplement industry is trustworthy. The idea of taking your health […]

Read More about Dietary Supplements and Protein Powders Fall Under a ‘Wild West’ of Unregulated Products That Necessitate Caveats And Caution

5 min read

Strep A Explainer: Why Invasive Cases Are Increasing, How It Spreads and What Symptoms to Look For
By John McCormick and Juan Manuel Diaz Your Health

Strep A Explainer: Why Invasive Cases Are Increasing, How It Spreads and What Symptoms to Look For

A jump in the number of people with serious illness caused by group A Streptococcus — also referred to as Streptococcus pyogenes or Strep A — has made headlines recently. There has also been a higher than usual number of deaths from group A Streptococcus infections, including in children, leaving people with questions about why […]

Read More about Strep A Explainer: Why Invasive Cases Are Increasing, How It Spreads and What Symptoms to Look For

4 min read