Acupuncture FAQs: Common Questions About Acupuncture
If you are considering acupuncture, you probably have a few questions before somebody starts putting needles into you. That makes perfect sense.
How does acupuncture work? Does acupuncture hurt? How deep do the needles go? How many treatments will you need? Is acupuncture safe? What is the difference between acupuncture and dry needling?
Dr. Jenn Garven provides contemporary medical acupuncture at Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre in Oakville. She is a chiropractor who completed the McMaster University Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program and primarily uses acupuncture as an adjunctive treatment for muscle, joint, headache and sports-related problems.
This page answers some of the most common acupuncture questions we hear from patients.
If you are looking specifically for treatment information, visit our Acupuncture in Oakville page.
Acupuncture Basics
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture involves inserting very thin, sterile needles through the skin into selected areas of the body.
There are different approaches to acupuncture. Traditional Chinese Medicine uses a traditional system of acupuncture points and meridians, while contemporary medical acupuncture uses modern anatomy, physiology and nervous-system function to help determine where needles are placed.
At our Oakville clinic, Dr. Jenn uses contemporary medical acupuncture primarily for musculoskeletal pain, joint problems, headaches and selected sports-related injuries.
How does acupuncture work?
The complete mechanism of acupuncture is still being studied, and it is more complicated than saying that a needle simply “releases a muscle.”
Needle stimulation can affect sensory nerves, local tissues, spinal cord processing and pain-modulating pathways within the nervous system. Acupuncture may also produce local physiological changes around the tissues being treated.
From a practical standpoint, acupuncture may help reduce pain sensitivity, decrease muscular guarding and make movement more comfortable in some patients.
It does not work the same way for every person or every condition.
How does acupuncture work scientifically?
Research suggests that acupuncture can influence both the peripheral and central nervous systems.
The sensory information created by needle stimulation is processed locally, through the spinal cord and within the brain. Research has also demonstrated changes in nervous-system activity and local tissue responses after acupuncture.
There is probably no single mechanism responsible for every effect of acupuncture.
For a detailed evidence overview, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health reviews current research on acupuncture, pain and safety.
Does acupuncture release endorphins?
Acupuncture may influence the body’s own pain-modulating systems, including pathways involving endogenous opioids often referred to as the body’s natural pain-relieving chemicals.
However, saying that acupuncture works only because it “releases endorphins” is an oversimplification.
Pain is influenced by the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, local tissues and many other factors. Acupuncture appears capable of affecting several of these systems.
Does acupuncture reduce inflammation?
Acupuncture may influence local tissue responses and some biological processes associated with inflammation, but we would not describe acupuncture as literally “flushing inflammation” out of the body.
That is an oversimplified explanation.
When acupuncture is used for an injury, the goal is usually to help manage pain and tissue sensitivity so the patient can move and function more comfortably while the underlying problem is appropriately treated and rehabilitated.
What are acupuncture points?
Traditional acupuncture systems describe hundreds of specific acupuncture points located along pathways commonly called meridians.
Contemporary medical acupuncture uses a different clinical framework. Needle location may be selected according to anatomy, painful or sensitive tissues, muscles, joints, peripheral nerves and findings from the patient’s examination.
It is not accurate to say that every traditional acupuncture point corresponds exactly to one nerve or that every acupuncture meridian is simply a nerve pathway.
What is contemporary medical acupuncture?
Contemporary medical acupuncture, sometimes called neurofunctional acupuncture, applies modern knowledge of anatomy, physiology and the nervous system to acupuncture.
Rather than automatically giving every patient with the same complaint exactly the same acupuncture points, treatment can be modified according to what is found during the examination.
Dr. Jenn completed the McMaster University Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program, a 300-hour continuing education program for regulated healthcare professionals.
You can also learn more about Dr. Jenn Garven.
What is the difference between traditional acupuncture and contemporary medical acupuncture?
Both approaches use thin acupuncture needles, and there can be considerable overlap in the locations that are treated.
The biggest difference is often the clinical reasoning used to select those locations.
Traditional Chinese Medicine may use traditional diagnostic concepts, acupuncture meridians and classical acupuncture points.
Contemporary medical acupuncture uses modern anatomy, physiology, musculoskeletal assessment and nervous-system function to help guide treatment.
Neither description means that every practitioner performs acupuncture in exactly the same way.
Is acupuncture the same as dry needling?
No, although the techniques have similarities.
Both acupuncture and dry needling may use very thin solid needles, and sometimes the same muscle or anatomical area may be treated.
The differences are generally in the clinical framework, why a particular tissue is being needled, how the needle is stimulated and what other treatment accompanies the needling.
If that is what you are looking for, we have a separate guide explaining Dry Needling in Oakville.
What is electroacupuncture?
Electroacupuncture involves attaching selected acupuncture needles to a device that delivers controlled electrical stimulation.
Patients generally describe the stimulation as a gentle pulsing or tapping sensation.
Electroacupuncture is not necessary for every patient. Dr. Jenn may use it when she believes additional stimulation is appropriate based on the condition, examination findings and patient preference.
Acupuncture Needles and What Treatment Feels Like
Does acupuncture hurt?
Usually very little.
Acupuncture needles are extremely thin. Some patients barely notice when a needle passes through the skin.
Other patients may notice a brief prick followed by pressure, heaviness, warmth or a temporary aching sensation around the area being treated.
Acupuncture does not have to be intensely painful to work.
If a needle is uncomfortable, tell Dr. Jenn. Its position or depth can be changed, or the needle can simply be removed.
How big are acupuncture needles?
Acupuncture needles are much thinner than the hollow needles commonly used for injections or blood tests.
Different needle lengths and diameters are available because the appropriate needle depends on the body region, tissue depth, patient size and treatment being performed.
At our clinic, commonly used needle diameters are approximately 0.20 to 0.25 mm, although the exact needle can vary.
How deep do acupuncture needles go?
There is no single acupuncture needle depth.
Some needles are inserted quite superficially, while others may be inserted farther into a larger muscle or deeper anatomical region.
The appropriate depth depends on the body part, anatomy, patient size, treatment goal and structures located beneath the skin.
Knowing the underlying anatomy is an important part of performing acupuncture safely.
Do acupuncture needles go into the muscle?
Sometimes.
Depending on what is being treated, a needle may enter a muscle or may be placed more superficially.
Contemporary medical acupuncture does not require every needle to be inserted to the same depth or into the same type of tissue.
How many acupuncture needles are used during treatment?
There is no standard number.
One patient may require only a small number of needles, while another may have more areas that need to be addressed.
Dr. Jenn chooses the number and location of needles based on the patient’s examination and the areas being treated rather than trying to reach a predetermined number.
More needles does not automatically mean a better treatment.
How long are acupuncture needles left in?
It depends on the treatment.
Some needles may remain inserted for only a relatively short period while others may stay in place longer while the patient relaxes.
Needle retention time can vary depending on the technique being used, the area being treated and how the patient responds.
Are acupuncture needles reused?
No.
Acupuncture should be performed using sterile, single-use needles.
The needle is disposed of appropriately after it has been used.
Acupuncture Safety and Side Effects
Is acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is generally considered relatively safe when it is performed appropriately by a properly trained healthcare professional using sterile, single-use needles.
It is still an invasive procedure because needles pass through the skin, so proper training, anatomy, infection-control procedures, informed consent and patient assessment are important.
The College of Chiropractors of Ontario’s acupuncture standard establishes training and practice requirements for Ontario chiropractors who provide acupuncture within chiropractic practice.
What are the most common side effects of acupuncture?
Minor temporary effects can include:
- soreness around a needle site
- tenderness
- minor bruising
- a small amount of bleeding
- temporary fatigue
- temporary light-headedness
Most minor reactions settle quickly.
Serious complications are uncommon when acupuncture is performed appropriately, but no procedure that penetrates the skin is completely without risk.
Can acupuncture cause bruising?
Yes.
Occasionally an acupuncture needle can contact a small blood vessel and produce a small bruise.
This is generally temporary.
Patients who bruise easily or take medications that affect bleeding should make sure their healthcare provider knows before treatment begins.
Can acupuncture make you sore afterward?
Sometimes.
A treated muscle or needle location can feel mildly tender afterward, particularly if an already sensitive area was treated.
This is generally temporary.
Significant or unexpected symptoms should be reported to the healthcare professional who performed the treatment.
Who should tell their healthcare provider before having acupuncture?
Tell your provider about relevant medical conditions, medications and other health considerations before treatment.
This includes things such as medications that affect bleeding, bleeding disorders, implanted electrical devices when electroacupuncture is being considered, pregnancy and significant medical conditions that could affect treatment decisions.
The point of the health history is not to prevent everyone with a medical condition from receiving acupuncture. It is to make sure the treatment is appropriate and modified when necessary.
Acupuncture Results and Treatment Frequency
Does acupuncture really work?
Acupuncture can help some patients and some conditions, but it is not a cure-all.
Research suggests acupuncture may provide benefit for several pain-related conditions, including certain types of back pain, neck pain, knee osteoarthritis pain and headaches.
Results vary between conditions and between individual patients.
That is why we do not recommend acupuncture simply because somebody has pain.
The first step is determining what appears to be causing the problem and whether acupuncture makes sense as part of the treatment.
What conditions is acupuncture used for at your clinic?
At Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre, Dr. Jenn primarily uses acupuncture within her chiropractic practice for musculoskeletal and joint-related complaints.
Examples include:
- neck pain
- low back pain
- shoulder pain
- knee pain
- tennis elbow
- TMJ and jaw-related muscular pain
- headaches and migraines associated with appropriate clinical presentations
- muscle strains
- selected ankle complaints
- sports-related muscle and joint problems
Acupuncture is not automatically appropriate simply because one of these conditions is present.
Assessment comes first.
For more information about the service itself, visit Acupuncture in Oakville.
Can acupuncture help sports injuries?
Acupuncture may be used as one component of care for selected sports-related muscle and joint problems.
That does not mean acupuncture physically repairs every injured ligament, tendon or muscle.
For many sports injuries, progressive movement, strengthening, appropriate loading and rehabilitation remain important parts of recovery.
Acupuncture may be incorporated when reducing pain or muscular sensitivity could help the patient move or rehabilitate more comfortably.
Can acupuncture heal a torn muscle, tendon or ligament?
Acupuncture should not be described as physically stitching a torn tissue back together or instantly healing a damaged ligament, tendon or muscle.
Those tissues have their own biological healing processes.
Acupuncture may sometimes be used as an adjunctive treatment to help manage pain and sensitivity while the injured structure heals and is progressively rehabilitated.
Does acupuncture work immediately?
Some patients notice a change during or shortly after an acupuncture treatment.
Others require several treatments before they can tell whether acupuncture is helping.
And some patients simply do not respond significantly.
There is no medically responsible way to promise that everybody will improve after a specific number of acupuncture sessions.
How many acupuncture treatments will I need?
There is no universal number.
Treatment frequency depends on:
- the condition
- how long the problem has been present
- symptom severity
- examination findings
- overall health
- activity level
- treatment goals
- how the patient responds
At our clinic, we prefer to reassess how you are responding rather than automatically putting every acupuncture patient on a long predetermined treatment schedule.
If acupuncture is not producing meaningful improvement, the plan should be reconsidered.
How often should you have acupuncture?
Frequency varies.
An acute problem may be approached differently from a persistent problem that has been present for months or years.
The appropriate interval between treatments should be determined by the patient’s presentation and response rather than following the same schedule for everybody.
How long do the effects of acupuncture last?
There is no single answer.
Some people experience only temporary symptom relief, while others notice improvement that persists between appointments.
Duration can depend on the underlying condition, how long the problem has existed, activity level, other treatments being used and whether the factors contributing to the problem are changing.
The goal is not simply to make someone dependent on repeated acupuncture forever.
What happens if acupuncture is not helping me?
Tell us.
Treatment should produce a meaningful clinical reason to continue.
If symptoms are not changing as expected, Dr. Jenn can reassess the original diagnosis, reconsider whether acupuncture is appropriate, modify the treatment or determine whether another form of care or further medical investigation makes more sense.
Do I have to believe in acupuncture for it to work?
No, you do not need to arrive convinced that acupuncture is going to work.
Expectations and other contextual factors can influence pain and treatment outcomes with many healthcare interventions, including acupuncture.
However, acupuncture also produces measurable sensory and physiological stimulation when a needle enters tissue.
We would much rather have patients judge treatment by whether their pain, movement and function actually improve than by whether they believed in acupuncture beforehand.
Before and After an Acupuncture Appointment
What happens during your first acupuncture appointment?
Your first appointment begins with a health history and assessment.
Dr. Jenn will want to understand:
- where you are experiencing symptoms
- when the problem began
- whether there was an injury
- what makes the symptoms better or worse
- whether you have numbness, tingling or weakness
- what previous treatment you have tried
- which muscles, joints or other structures appear to be involved
- whether acupuncture is appropriate
When acupuncture is appropriate and informed consent has been completed, treatment can often begin during the first appointment.
What should I wear to an acupuncture appointment?
Wear comfortable clothing that allows the area being treated to be accessed.
Depending on the condition, shorts or a loose shirt may make treatment easier.
You will always be positioned and draped appropriately for the area being treated.
Should I eat before acupuncture?
You generally do not need to fast before acupuncture.
For most patients, arriving normally hydrated and having eaten as you normally would is reasonable.
If you have a medical condition that affects eating, hydration or blood sugar, follow the advice provided by your appropriate healthcare professional.
What should I do after acupuncture?
Most patients can return to normal daily activities after acupuncture.
There is no special acupuncture “detox” routine required.
Drink normally, eat normally and pay attention to how the treated area feels.
If acupuncture was performed for an injury, your activity recommendations should be based primarily on the injury itself rather than the fact that acupuncture needles were used.
Can I exercise after acupuncture?
Often, yes.
Whether you should exercise depends much more on the condition being treated than on acupuncture itself.
Someone receiving acupuncture for mild muscular tightness may have very different activity recommendations from somebody recovering from an acute ankle sprain or significant tendon injury.
Follow the recommendations given for your specific condition.
Do I need to drink extra water after acupuncture?
There is no requirement to drink large amounts of water to “flush toxins” after acupuncture.
Normal hydration is sufficient for most people.
Drink according to your usual needs unless another healthcare professional has given you different instructions.
Can I shower after acupuncture?
In most cases, yes.
Routine showering after acupuncture is generally fine.
If you have unusual bleeding, skin irritation or another reaction at a needle site, let your healthcare provider know.
Acupuncture in Ontario, Insurance and Appointments
Who provides acupuncture at your Oakville clinic?
Acupuncture is provided by Dr. Jenn Garven, a registered chiropractor.
Dr. Jenn completed the McMaster University Contemporary Medical Acupuncture Program and provides acupuncture within her chiropractic practice.
In Ontario, certain regulated healthcare professionals, including appropriately trained chiropractors, can perform acupuncture within their professional scope and applicable standards.
Is Dr. Jenn an acupuncturist?
Dr. Jenn is a chiropractor who provides acupuncture, not a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner or separately registered acupuncturist.
This distinction is important in Ontario because the professional title “acupuncturist” is restricted.
Dr. Jenn provides contemporary medical acupuncture as an adjunctive treatment within her chiropractic scope of practice.
Is acupuncture covered by insurance?
It depends on your individual insurance policy.
Because Dr. Jenn provides acupuncture under her registration as a chiropractor, treatment at our clinic is billed according to the chiropractic services she provides rather than representing Dr. Jenn as a separately registered acupuncturist.
Patients should confirm the details of their own extended health benefits because deductibles, annual limits and reimbursement rules vary considerably between plans.
Does your clinic offer direct billing for acupuncture appointments?
Our clinic can direct bill many major extended health insurance companies when the patient’s plan permits it.
Direct billing does not guarantee that an insurance company will reimburse a particular service or amount.
For more information, visit our Insurance and Payment Options page.
Do I need a doctor’s referral for acupuncture?
A physician referral is not normally required to book an appointment with Dr. Jenn.
However, some insurance plans may require a physician referral before reimbursing certain healthcare expenses.
If insurance reimbursement is important to you, check your individual policy.
Can acupuncture be combined with chiropractic care or rehabilitation?
Yes, when clinically appropriate.
Because Dr. Jenn is a chiropractor, acupuncture may be incorporated alongside other appropriate treatments based on the patient’s examination and goals.
Depending on the problem, care may include hands-on treatment, exercise, rehabilitation or other appropriate clinical approaches.
Not every acupuncture patient needs every other treatment available at the clinic.
The treatment should fit the patient.
Have More Questions About Acupuncture?
If you are looking for acupuncture in Oakville, the best starting point is determining what is causing your problem and whether acupuncture is appropriate for it.
Dr. Jenn Garven provides contemporary medical acupuncture at Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre in Glen Abbey, Oakville.
Read our complete guide to Acupuncture in Oakville or learn more about Dr. Jenn Garven.
Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre
1131 Nottinghill Gate
Oakville, Ontario L6M 1K5
Call: 905-827-4197
Text: 289-228-8858