If you’re someone who steers clear of acupuncture because the thought of those needles fills you with dread, maybe it’s time to look at the reality behind the fear.
Thousands of practitioners provide millions of sessions every year all over the UK, not just in major cities. If you’re tempted to try acupuncture Tewkesbury and Telford are as well served as London and Leeds, by reputable clinics such as www.purelandsacu.co.uk/acupuncture-tewkesbury/.
However, many people still hesitate to try acupuncture because they worry it might be painful but they could be missing out on a highly effective treatment for everything from arthritis to insomnia.
But doesn’t it hurt?
Not if it’s performed by a qualified practitioner. Acupuncture needles are extremely thin with rounded tips that slip through the skin without cutting it. If you feel anything, it will usually be a slight prick, a dull ache or a mild tingling sensation that passes in seconds. Performed properly, acupuncture is a safe and painless therapy for a vast range of conditions.
How do we know?
The evidence of experience bears it out. In a 2023 study, patients aged from 8 to 21, rated the pain from acupuncture at 1.3 on a scale of 1 to 10. Nearly 60% reported no pain at all. Most participants described the experience as relaxing.
Rare discomfort
What you experience can depend on your sensitivity. The first session may be slightly uncomfortable, simply because it’s unfamiliar but as your body adapts, treatments can feel gentler. In the unlikely event that you do feel pain, you should tell the acupuncturist immediately.
