Acupuncture?

Does acupuncture hurt?

Although acupuncture treatments are tolerated very well by the majority of people who receive treatments sometimes acupuncture needle insertion can hurt. Most commonly points on the hands and feet, or those points near areas of the body where pain is felt are the most reactive or responsive to acupuncture needle insertion.

If you experience sharp pain in response to a needle insertion, you should let the acupuncturist know so they can adjust the needle. If you experience a dull, throbbing or aching sensation that is what acupuncturist often describe as an appropriate reaction.

All this being said, I am person who is horribly phobic of needles, or syringes. I not only have acupuncture done all the time, but am a certified acupuncturist. It is nothing like getting blood drawn, or injections.

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I'm going to point out one error in the post below. The definition of "Certified" versus "Licensed" varies state to state. The BLANKET statement that certified acupuncturists have only 300 hours of training and a M.D. is erroneous. You need to check with the state licensing board for correct information regarding the specific state of inquiry.

My experience was that, as long as I didn't move while the needles were in place, there was no pain.

I found acupuncture to be very helpful for my back pain, especially when combined with chiropractic.
I recieved acupuncture once for a college project i did. It didn't hurt at all, except for one that kind of stung when the acupunturist stuck it directly in the back of my neck. They do not go in deep though and the pain was extremely minimal. It feels really good after a few seconds because of the massive endorphin rush to that part of the skin. If you can, I say go for it!
OUCH! (I just needles myself!).

Actually, the Chinese call the needling sensation at an acupuncture point "duh jay". It simply means "needling sensation". But the point of it is that the Chinese say that even if you've had acupuncture needles but no Duh Jay, you haven't had acupuncture.

This is because it is necessary for the bodys energetic circulation to reach the needle and activate it so that the body can use it to heal itself. A typical patient would be one from yesterday who came with a herniated disc in the low back and severe digestive difficulty.

I used the Supertouch STR (tm) to rehablitate the muscles on the inner and outer spine, he left with no pain and it won't return.

I also used needles to assist treating the back and for the digestion. Not only did he feel the needles go it (but not extremely), interstingly enough, he also experienced spasming in the spleen/pancreas area as those organs went from about 25% functioning to about 90% functioning within the course of one treatment.

He explained that he had been vomiting and couldn't hold down food, would become boated, chronic fatigue, etc. when he asked "what was all that spasming and activity" I said, " that is you being able to eat french fries if you like" because his digestion will now be that good.

By the way, in New York State and many others a Licensed Acupuncturist has a minimum of 4500 hours training plus National Board Certification.
A Certified Acupuncturist has 300 hours of mostly video and a Medical Doctors license.
An NADA acupuncturist has two weeks of training and use the ears only (to great effect) for the treatment of addiction.

Best Wishes and remember, you can scream all you like.. when you get to your car <yikes> :-)
Based on my ongoing clinical practice of 25+ years in TCM (traditional Chinese medicine-acupuncture, Chinese herbalism) for most medical conditions and SUPERTOUCH(tm) soft tissue reprocessing(tm) for chronic pain.
Acupuncture CAN hurt.

TWO METHODS:

LIGHT AND TOPICAL
I have been treated by some acupuncturists for some conditions with needles applied lightly to the surface. In these cases there was no pain and sometimes I couldn't even feel the needle.

DEEP
In other cases I have been treated by some acupuncturists for some conditions with needles inserted very deeply into my tissue. In these cases there was sometimes pain and sometimes a feeling of "electricity." It was uncomfortable but usually I adjusted to it and in the end, this approach to treatment was most effective for my conditions.
If in good hands it does not hurt.