No, not really and for some not at all.  Acupuncture needles are very different from hypodermic needles used for injections. They are very fine ( hairlike ) and flexible and are usually barely felt when inserted.  Some points may have a quick tinge of sensation while others have none.   A tinge of sensation can be a slight burining electrical feeling running up or down a leg or an arm or slight cramping, heaviness, distention  which is associated with the therapeutic effects of acupuncture.  This makes patients more confortable knowing something is working.  Discomfort is mild or nonexistent and all most find it very relaxing.

There are many styles of acupuncture the most popular and well known are Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Taoist/Balance. We in america have been trained in all various techniques and we at Wilshire West Acu-Herb Clinic do not practice painful technques. 

Immediate total or partial relief from pain or other symptoms may be experienced following an acupuncture treatment.  This relief may last or some of the pain may return. In some cases, pain may seem worse, because we need to pull it out and or unlock what is stuck in the body.  An example "make a fist then sit on your hand for a minute or two, then try to open your fingers, you may feel some aches and pains or numbness as they open, but will feel fine once the circulation comes back.  The same for some pain syndromes or GI problems however by the next day or so, pain can be expected to gradually improve.   In a few cases, there may be no immediate relief only to see the pain diminish over the next few days.

Some patients report slight soreness, light-headedness or even euphoria after treatments. Most people, however, report a sense of pleasant relaxation.

It is advisable to rest after a treatment in order to allow stabilization of the system. It is best not to eat a heavy meal, engage in strenuous physical activity, engage in sexual activity or become emotionally upset after acupuncture treatments.

You should wear something comfortable (i.e. sweatpants, a comfortable T-shirt, etc.) we generally work on points below the elbow and knees, so please wear loose fitting clothing if possible.   If comming from work we can provide spa wraps or gowns.

Very few.  The most common side effect is a black and blue mark, which will not hurt and will go away with in a week. Howeve,r with cupping and gua sha, discoloration of the skin is part of some treatments and the patient will be advised in advance.

Here is a picture of the actress Gwenith Paltrow showing off her cupping marks.  

Please refrain from eating a lot or drinking alcohol before your visit.

We use pre-sterilized, individually packaged, disposable acupuncture needles to assure absolute control over cross-infection.These are one time use and then disposed off, no need to worry about infection from needles or cross-contamination from another patient.   

The nature, severity and history of each individual's complaint, as well as the individual himself or herself, determine the number of treatments necessary. From 10 to 20 reatments are generally adequate for the majority of chronic complaints. Many acute conditions may only require a single treatment and some degenerative conditions may require scores of treatments. The primary focus of Chinese medicine is on correcting the underlying cause of illness and thus produce a lasting cure. Symptoms can often be relieved in a relatively small number of treatments; however, the curing of illness itself is a much longer process.

How soon your condition will improve depends on a number of factors including how long you've had your condition, life style, medical history, and age. The frequency of the treatments can also affect your outcome. Based on these factors, your acupuncturist will decide how many treatments are necessary in your case. Some people notice a difference immediately, others will notice changes within 4 - 6 treatments.

Once an individual is symptom-free, the goal of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is to establish a maintenance schedule. An example of a preventive maintenance schedule is an office visit bimonthly, monthly or seasonally depending upon your particular condition. 

We only use very high quality herbs that go exceed gmp standards. We purchase from Evergreen Herbs, Secara and Blue Poppy contact them for specifics.   Most are organically grown.