Does accupuncture hurt 

So many people lead lives filled with constant pain and misery. Each day begins with a new struggle to overcome the pain, sometimes just to climb out of bed in the morning. This pain comes in many forms and can strike anyone - the friendly Girl Scout Troop Leader who is racked with debilitating cramps each month, the elderly woman down the street that grows a beautiful garden each year even though her hands are burdened with arthritis, the butcher who has back pain, or even the actress nauseous from her chemotherapy treatments. These pains and more come to everyone, regardless of age, race, origin, sex, or creed. But what if there was an alternative to the costly medications goggled down each year as part of pain management and relief? What if the alternative was a treatment that has been around for more than 2000 years? Would it be worth trying out? Many people are saying, "Yes, anything is worth a shot at easing this pain." What is this ancient secret? Acupuncture.

Many people suffer from pain - some more than others, but pain in any form isn't pleasant. You could be someone who has difficulty standing for long periods, due to an aching back, or you could be someone who can barely walk, thanks to aching joints. Even those who are healthy and fit can suffer, such as athletes going through an injury or people with anxiety and depression. Pain can strike anyone of any age, but there is an alternative to trying all sorts of prescription medication in the hopes of finding relief or simply giving up and living with suffering. The answer is acupuncture.

Many people take countless types of medication in the hopes of finding pain relief for persistent conditions, such as aching joints or a weak back. Indeed, some people find it difficult to walk or even get out of bed, thanks to the suffering they must deal with. Prescription medication doesn't always help and individuals tend to try various different pills in the hopes of finding some relief. What if there was an alternative to pain that didn't involve myriad types of drugs and had a long-standing track record of providing measurable, positive results? Well, there is - acupuncture.

Acupuncture is the practice of placing long, thin needles into various areas of the skin. The needles are then manipulated by hand, or a small electrical current is used for stimulation. In ancient China, these needles were actually made of stone and were then placed on various points in the body - three hundred and sixty-five points, to be precise, though modern acupuncturists use many more. These points are along what is called a meridian line. There are 12 lines for each of the major organs, one for the spine, and one for the abdomen.

When a person goes to a physician, the doctor monitors blood pressure flowing through the patient's body. An acupuncturist measures energy or Qi (pronounced chee). The needles are placed into the various positions needed and the energy is manipulated. Modern medical studies show that the needles and stimulation actually affect the nerve endings and even produce biochemicals in response to this stimulation.

The big question that is often asked is: Does acupuncture hurt? That is a tough question to answer. Most patients report virtually no pain from acupuncture or, if there had been some pain, it was in comparison to having a hair plucked out, but this is relative to the individual. There are some patients who did report major discomfort, but it was unknown whether it was an actual physical pain or merely the mental anxiety of being stuck with a multitude of needles.