VG Acupuncture

Frequently Asked Questions

Does acupuncture hurt?
Many people say that they are scared of needles, but often people’s experience of needles is the injections they have had from doctors, nurses and dentists. The acupuncture needle is very different because it is as fine as a thread, and the practitioner is not trying to insert or take out a fluid.

The sensation of the needles is often described as a sharp tingle or a dull or warm feeling. The sensation depends a little on where the needles go in, and on the particular person. It can be a little uncomfortable for a moment but it very rarely feels like this for more than a second. As few needles as possible are used.

Sometimes the needles go in and are taken out immediately, and sometimes they are left in for around 20 minutes. If they are left in, the sensation of the needle often goes away. Sometimes the person feels a sensation of the energy travelling down the channel, a kind of tingling, and although this can feel unusual, it is not unpleasant.

Although there is a sensation when the needles go in, most people find the process of treatment very relaxing.

How long does treatment take?
Often people report a difference in how they feel within the first 6-10 treatments. Longer-standing conditions can take a little longer and the rule of thumb is often said to be a month for every year you have had the illness, but this is not necessarily the case, and patients can make very significant progress in a much shorter time. Problems connected with the menstrual cycle often take 3 cycles to improve.

At the beginning of treatment it is best to have weekly sessions. Once there are signs of improvement, treatments can be more spaced out to 2, 3, or 4 weeks. Some people like to have top-up treatments every month or 3 months.


How does the practitioner diagnose?
In order to get a complete picture of the person, the practitioner asks about a full range of the systems in the body, so if you come mainly for, for example headaches, the practitioner will also ask you about your digestion. In Chinese Medical theory the way a problem manifests itself is connected to other systems.

The practitioner will also ask about your health history and any medication you are taking, your family health history and aspects of your life before coming for treatment. This is because the diagnosis tries to work out where the root of symptoms lie so that this can be treated.


The practitioner takes the pulses and looks at the person’s tongue to confirm findings. This is because the pulses and tongue show the state of the internal organs. Don’t worry about your tongue! People can be slightly embarrassed about showing it, and may even want to scrape the coating off before a treatment, but the coating is very important for showing the internal state of organs. Rest assured that the practitioner has seen many, many tongues in the years of practice and training, and there is no need to feel embarrassed.

Is acupuncture treatment safe?
The needles used in acupuncture treatment are sterile and single-use only. The needles often only go a few millimetres into the body, though sometimes the acupuncture point is slightly deeper.

Practitioners who are members of the British Acupuncture Council www.acupuncture.org.uk promise to conform to a Code of Safe Practice which covers many different aspects, including how they handle needles, cleanliness in the practice room and waste disposal. Members also conform to a Code of Ethics which covers issues of confidentiality.

In order to become a member of the British Acupuncture Council, a practitioner must have been successful in completing a recognised training course (often 3 – 5 years in length).

What do I wear for treatment?
Acupuncture points are all over the body, but the points that are most often used are on the arms and legs, from the elbow to the fingers and knees to the feet. Sometimes it is necessary to use points on the back or on the abdomen. I do not normally need patients to undress, so the best clothing to wear is loose comfortable clothing

Can acupuncture prevent illness?
Signs of disorder or imbalance can show on the pulses and tongue before the person notices any actual symptoms, and the acupuncturist will treat these if they are significant.

The acupuncturist will also know how disorders progress and lead to other disorders, and treatment can often stop the imbalance leading to something more serious.