Is Five Element Acupuncture SUPPOSED to be painful?

Thanks for your perspective Chad.

If anyone else in the community would care to weigh in, I would appreciate it!

I agree with Chad. Although I&#39m always careful to tell patients that acupuncture is not exactly completely painless, there should not be pain like what you&#39re describing. "Da qi" is the term used for the achy, warm, heavy or full feeling at the needle insertion site, and that often does indicate a well chosen point. Having said that, none of the needles should cause the kind of discomfort you&#39re describing. Part of what makes for a good treatment is the patient&#39s ability to relax and let the Qi flow. You can not relax sufficiently if you are in pain. Even ashi points that are tender on palpation feel better when needled. Sharp or intense pain indicates poor technique, especially if it continues for more than just a few seconds. I don&#39t think it has to do with the 5 Element style--- no style should do that to you.

Acupuncture generally is not very painful, atleast not painful to the extent of bringing tears in your eyes for 10 minutes. After proper needling you may feel a tingling or slightly itching sensation in the needled area which may persist for a few minutes even after the needles are removed, but again not necessary that you should experience this feeling. A quick inserstion of the needle to correct depth will not be more than a mosquito bite, however certian areas can be more painful than the others like the points near your nails of hands and toes. In Areas like thighs, buttocks, biceps etc where there is more muscle the pain is very minimal and somtimes you may not even feel that the needle is inserted.