Worried It Might Hurt? It Hurts Far Less Than You Think
The biggest reason for hesitating over acupuncture treatment is likely the fear of pain. However, there is no need to worry. While standard injection needles commonly used in hospitals have a thickness of approximately 0.5 to 0.8 mm, the acupuncture needles we use for treatment are mostly around 0.2 to 0.3 mm (with a length of around 40 mm), extremely fine and thin just like a strand of hair.
Rather than feeling like your skin is being deeply pricked or prodded, it feels closer to a very thin thread lightly brushing against you. In fact, nine out of ten people receiving acupuncture treatment for the first time often do not even realize the needle has gone in, reacting with surprise: "Oh? Is it finished already? It didn't hurt at all."
Less Stimulation, Sufficient Effectiveness in Treatment
There are truly diverse and numerous acupuncture techniques in Korean medicine. While some of them involve strong stimulation, here at INI Korean Medicine Clinic, we aim for low-stimulation acupuncture techniques that minimize the pain and tension felt by patients.
Without needing painful, strong stimulation, precisely placing needles only at the essential points is sufficient to relieve tense muscles and support bodily circulation. There is absolutely no need to tense your entire body and endure the treatment; you can simply lie comfortably on the bed and relax.
"Does Receiving Acupuncture Drain Your Energy?" Is That Really True?
Occasionally, some people worry, asking, "Doesn't acupuncture drain all your energy?" To state the conclusion first: under normal conditions, there is no need to worry at all.
However, those whose stamina is severely depleted or who are very frail may temporarily feel languid or fatigued as the body relaxes following acupuncture treatment. Before treatment, we thoroughly check the patient's usual physical strength, condition on the day, and energy levels first. If you have very little energy, we adjust the treatment by reducing the number of needles or applying very light stimulation, so there is no problem at all. We carefully observe each patient's physical state and tailor the treatment accordingly, so you can receive care with peace of mind.
