Believe it or not, I was once terrified of needles and anything sharp. I used to faint at the sight of surgical needles and blood. Fortunately, I managed to avoid hospital visits during my adulthood, as my health was generally good—except for one occasion when I nearly required surgery due to pelvic inflammation, which is how I met my mentor in Traditional Chinese Medicine. This story was briefly shared in my self-introduction on my homepage.
However, I vividly remember a time when I was taken to the theatre for a minor surgery to remove an overgrown sty from my lower eyelid. With my eye held open by a clipper, I saw the surgeon approach with a needle filled with anaesthesia. Before he could even do the injection, I had already fainted.
Life is full of mysterious twists and turns. I never could have imagined that I would one day handle acupuncture needles every day to treat both patients and myself, enjoying the immense benefits they bring. Surprisingly, those hair-thin needles—vastly different from those used for injections and blood drawing—cause very minimal discomfort, yet the benefits are truly magical.
Most patients report feeling just a light prick or a tingling sensation when the needles are inserted. In fact, some hardly feel the needles at all. Many people find the whole experience to be very relaxing, often likening it to a deep tissue massage. Research has shown that the fear of pain is a common misconception; a systematic review published in PLOS ONE (2018) by Lee et al. indicates that most patients experience minimal discomfort during acupuncture, often describing the sensation as light or even soothing. Additional studies have also corroborated these findings, highlighting that many individuals perceive acupuncture as a positive and pain-free experience. Personally, I use acupuncture most days to release muscle tension in my neck, shoulders, and hands, and I find it more satisfying than a massage.
The fear that acupuncture is painful is a common misconception that prevents many from experiencing the numerous benefits of this ancient healing practice.
If you’ve been curious about acupuncture but have held back due to fear of pain, consider scheduling a consultation. The first step towards wellness might be more comfortable than you think!
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