Is acupuncture painful? Is it like an injection?
No, acupuncture needles are very thin therefore acupuncture treatments are painless. After inserting an acupuncture needle the typical sensations are those from local numbness, tingling, or a slight electric sensation. Those sensations are the so-called “de qi” or “acupuncture sensation”. It is a signal that the point to stimulate has been successfully located (however, this sensation varies from person to person). Acupuncture has a sedative effect, which is very different to the sensation produced by an injection. For your safety, the needles used are always new, sterile, and disposable.

If I do not want to have acupuncture, can I treat my condition with another
modality such as massage?
Yes, before doing any treatment I always ask what your preferences are regarding the treatments to follow. If you do not want to get acupuncture I can offer you any of the other therapies I do.

Does the needles contain some kind of medication?
No, acupuncture needles are free of any kind of medication.

How many sessions will I need to feel better?
The number of sessions is always related to your condition. A general rule is: if the problem is of a recent onset and of a relatively mild severity then the number of sessions is small (one to three sessions). If the problem is chronic and severe it will take more sessions to get the desired results (three to twelve sessions, sometimes more). At the first session I will do a complete assessment of your condition and I will let you know the prognosis and the number of sessions required. Sometimes there is a remarkable improvement of the condition just after the first session, other times the desired results appear after a number of sessions.