Acupuncture is extremely safe. It is a "drug-free" therapy, yielding no side effects except feelings of relaxation and being grounded. For your safety, only sterile and disposable acupuncture needles are used. These pre-packaged needles are only used once and disposed of after each use.

While most people express fear or anxiety of needles before their first visit, they are surprised by the pleasantness of the acupuncture treatment. Unlike hollow hypodermic needles used for injections, acupuncture needles are solid throughout and are very fine, about the thickness of a human hair. There should be very little or no discomfort with needle insertion. The typical description includes feeling a slight pinch or pressure. You may then feel a slight sensation as the needle contacts the Qi. This is called the “De Qi" sensation. (This is how acupuncturists engage the Qi in your body in order to help balance it.) This sensation can vary from a vague numbness or heaviness to a tingling or dull ache. Sometimes you may experience the sensation of energy or warmth spreading from the needle. In some instances the sensation travels along the path of the meridian and can affect whole areas of the body or limbs. All of these reactions are a good sign that the treatment is working. There is  no marking on the skin after the needles are removed. We take great care to ensure that you are very comfortable so that you can relax while the needles are in place. The more you can relax during an acupuncture treatment, the better the results. Many people experience a deep sense of release and relaxation during and at the end of the acupuncture treatment.