The short answer
Acupuncture often causes little discomfort, although you may feel a brief pinch when a needle goes in.[4] Once it is in place, you may notice a dull ache, pressure, heaviness, warmth, or tingling.[1] Sensations vary from person to person and from one point to another. At Fingertips, we ask what you feel and adjust the needling accordingly. If anything feels sharp, burning, or too uncomfortable, please tell us straight away. A needle can be adjusted or removed at any time.
What the research shows
Research helps describe the sensations people experience during acupuncture and how often soreness or other reactions are reported afterwards.
What do acupuncture needles feel like?
In a study of 42 healthy adults who had not received acupuncture before, aching, soreness, and pressure were among the most common sensations. Participants also reported tingling, numbness, heaviness, and warmth. The researchers distinguished these sensations from sharp pain, which they considered unintended stimulation.[1]
This was a small study carried out during brain imaging, so it does not tell us exactly how every patient will feel in a treatment room. It describes a range of sensations rather than one feeling everyone should expect.
How often is acupuncture painful afterwards?
A UK survey of 34,407 treatments recorded mild pain at the needle site after about 1.2% of treatments and mild bruising after about 1.7%.[2] These figures came from practitioner reports, and rates can differ depending on how reactions are recorded.
A larger review of 21 prospective studies found that the most common minor reactions were generally mild, with bleeding, pain, or redness at the needle site accounting for about half of reported adverse events. Serious complications were rare.[3] Some temporary tenderness can happen, but pain that worsens or does not settle should be checked.
What to expect
Before treatment, we explain the approach and answer your questions. The points we choose depend on your concerns and Chinese medicine assessment. Some may be near the area that bothers you, while others may be on your arms, legs, hands, or feet.
We use fine, sterile, single-use needles. You may feel a brief pinch as a needle passes through the skin, followed by a different sensation as it is positioned or gently manipulated. Some points feel more noticeable than others, and some produce very little sensation.[4]
The needles usually remain in place for 20–30 minutes. During that time, we observe your response and ask about what you feel. Manual adjustments may be made as treatment continues, with attention to your comfort throughout. Let us know if a sensation changes, a needle bothers you, or you need a different position.
A small bruise or mild tenderness at a needle site can be a normal, temporary reaction to acupuncture.[4] Contact us if soreness persists, worsens, or concerns you.
How acupuncture fits with your other care
Please tell us if you are nervous about needles, have had a difficult experience with needling, or have previously felt faint during a procedure. We can take more time, discuss what feels manageable, and adjust the approach.
We also need to know about your medications and supplements, particularly blood thinners, as well as bleeding disorders, pregnancy, and implanted medical devices. These details help us plan treatment appropriately. Keep taking prescribed medication unless your prescribing clinician advises otherwise.
When to seek medical attention
Seek emergency care for chest pain or new shortness of breath after acupuncture. Sudden weakness or numbness, especially on one side of the body, also needs emergency assessment.
Contact a healthcare professional promptly if you notice:
- A needle site becoming increasingly hot, red, swollen, or draining fluid
- Bleeding that does not stop with firm pressure, or a bruise that keeps expanding
- Persistent numbness, weakness, or worsening pain
Please also let us know what has happened, but do not wait for a reply from the clinic before seeking urgent care.
How we keep acupuncture comfortable at Fingertips
The right depth for you. We choose each needle’s depth for the treatment area, your build, and your comfort. If something feels wrong during your session, tell us and we will adjust or remove the needle promptly.
Careful placement around blood vessels and tendons. We locate each point and check the surrounding anatomy. Needle angle and depth are chosen to avoid larger vessels and unnecessary tendon irritation, helping reduce the risk of bruising and soreness.[6]
In Chinese medicine, sensations such as aching, heaviness, pressure, or fullness are often described as deqi, sometimes translated as the “arrival of qi.”[1] This is part of the traditional understanding of needling. We pay attention to these sensations without asking you to tolerate sharp or distressing pain.
Our practice includes hands-on needle manipulation. We continue to observe your response and make adjustments when appropriate after the needles have been placed. The amount of stimulation is guided by your assessment, sensitivity, and how you feel during the session.
If you are apprehensive, please say so. We can begin slowly, consider fewer needles or gentler stimulation, and pause whenever you need. If needling does not feel manageable, we can discuss whether a supporting therapy such as acupressure would be appropriate.
Read more about what happens at a first appointment and how acupuncture is kept safe.
Common questions
How big are acupuncture needles?+
Acupuncture needles are very fine and often described as “hair-thin,” although they are generally thicker than a single human hair.[7] Fine sizes include 0.16, 0.20, and 0.25 millimetres in diameter—a quarter of a millimetre across or less.[5] They are solid rather than hollow like injection needles. We choose the size for the treatment area and your needs. Every needle is sterile and used once.
What if I am afraid of needles?+
Please tell us before we begin. We can explain each step, go slowly, and discuss using fewer needles or gentler stimulation. You can ask us to pause or stop at any point. If you are not ready for needling, we can talk about other appropriate options.
Is bruising or soreness after acupuncture normal?+
A small bruise or mild tenderness at a needle site can be a normal, temporary reaction. Bruising is one of the most common minor side effects of acupuncture, alongside soreness and a little bleeding.[4] It happens when a small blood vessel leaks beneath the skin and can occur even with careful technique.[6][8] Small bruises usually fade on their own. Contact us if you are concerned, and seek medical advice if bruising keeps expanding, pain worsens, or you develop increasing redness, heat, or swelling.
Can I ask for a needle to be taken out?+
Yes, at any time. Tell us if a needle feels uncomfortable or if you would simply prefer it removed. We can adjust or remove it and reconsider the approach with you.
References
- Hui, K. K. S., Nixon, E. E., Vangel, M. G., et al. (2007). Characterization of the “deqi” response in acupuncture. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 7, 33. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-7-33
- MacPherson, H., Thomas, K., Walters, S., & Fitter, M. (2001). The York acupuncture safety study: Prospective survey of 34 000 treatments by traditional acupuncturists. BMJ, 323(7311), 486–487. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.323.7311.486
- Bäumler, P., Zhang, W., Stübinger, T., & Irnich, D. (2021). Acupuncture-related adverse events: Systematic review and meta-analyses of prospective clinical studies. BMJ Open, 11(9), e045961. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045961
- Mayo Clinic. (2024, April 20). Acupuncture. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/acupuncture/about/pac-20392763
- SEIRIN Corporation. J-Type acupuncture needle specifications. https://www.global.seirin.jp/english/j_type.html
- Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine. (2024 revision). Clean Needle Technique Manual: Best Practices for Acupuncture Needle Safety and Related Procedures (7th ed.), pp. 4–6. https://health.maryland.gov/bacc/Documents/CNT%20Manual%20February%202024%20Revision_Final.pdf
- National Cancer Institute. Acupuncture (PDQ®)–Patient Version. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/acupuncture-pdq
- MedlinePlus. (2025, April 1). Bruise. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007213.htm