April Fools’: a day of jokes, hoaxes and…misconceptions. So, we thought we’d take the opportunity on this most entertaining day to clear up a few of those misunderstandings for those first trying acupuncture.
1. “Acupuncture hurts.”
On the contrary. In fact, most times acupuncture is completely painless. There may be a few points where there is a slight, quick pinch. But know this…each needle has the thickness of one human hair. And it takes about 17 acupuncture needles to equal one doctor’s needle (a needle for shots or drawing blood). Pretty thin, huh?
2. “Acupuncture doesn’t work.”
But it really does! Acupuncture has been successfully treating everything from insomnia to chronic pain, PMS to menopausal symptoms, headaches to carpal tunnel syndrome (just to name a few) for over 2,500 years. Based on meridians that were researched by ancient Chinese physicians dissecting bodies post-mortem, acupuncture taps into the natural energy pathways, helping the body return to balance and heal itself.
And Katie’s not just the acupuncturist at Absolute Wellness Center, she’s also a patient. She can personally attest to the amazing benefits of this ancient medicine.
3. “Acupuncture is weird.”
Acupuncture is only strange because it’s something unfamiliar to us. Growing up in the Western world, we’re accustomed to tongue depressors, thermometers and blood tests when visiting our PCPs for our yearly checkups. We may even get a shot or two to ward away some nasty virus.
If it makes you feel more comfortable, you’ll be happy to know we acupuncturists also take your pulse and look at your tongue in helping to diagnose. But, we also integrate a few unfamiliar techniques – needling, of course, and perhaps a little gwa sha, moxa and cupping. If it sounds scary, it’s not! If you open yourself up to the possibility of healing in a different way, we promise you a very enjoyable treatment.
Now that we’ve dispelled those delusions, we hope to see you in for a treatment. And we also welcome you to a lifetime of free acupuncture sessions. Ahhh…April Fools’!
