Mila Zimmerman Acupuncture Charlottesville, VA

What Does Acupuncture Feel Like?

Many first-time patients are concerned that acupuncture needles will feel like hypodermic injections at the doctor’s office. They won't. Acupuncture uses hair-thin, flexible needles that you will hardly feel when I insert them. When I gently stimulate the needles they may produce a unique sensation that Oriental medicine calls de qi. Patients often describe de qi as a heavy, achy pressure, or spreading, traveling feeling. You may also feel an "electrical" sensation moving down the meridian pathways, though this is less common. Most patients find these acupuncture sensations deeply satisfying and leave the treatment feeling relaxed both mentally and physically.

Each person will respond differently to treatment. Once I have inserted your needles, you can just take in the treatment and relax on the table, and you might be surprised to find that relaxing comes very easily! You may continue to feel sensations at the needle sites and even in places that do not even have needles. Think of the pathways along which the points lie as a circuit or set of roads that are all interconnected.  Another helpful visual is that of an ocean that feeds into smaller bodies of water, into rivers, lakes, streams and creeks.  The smallest areas are no less important and are all fed through the larger channels.  All make up the vast body of who you are, and touching one aspect of your being inevitably affects all the others.

Acupuncture treatment creates deep relaxation
in both mind and body.

How Many Treatments Will I Need?

The benefits of acupuncture are cumulative, so more than one treatment is necessary. It is recommended to receive 8-10 weekly treatments at the beginning to establish roots in your sessions, and most people usually begin to feel changes after just the first few. Much like any other therapeutic modality, it takes some time to allow your body to get used to and integrate your sessions.  Acupuncture is not a "one and done" modality and requires some patience and dedication from the patient. Chronic conditions may take longer to respond, depending on the type, severity, and duration of the condition. Preventative treatments and treatments for general well-being may also be scheduled on an as-needed basis. Together we will determine what rhythm of treatments are right for you to maintain your progress.  Most people who begin acupuncture treatments and benefit from them end up loving the continued presence of this modality in their lives.  I have folks who come every 2-3 weeks as maintenance and others who come every couple of months and then again in smaller intervals when something needs more attention .