Acupuncture has existed for thousands of years in China and continues to have a strong presence today, even in the western hemisphere. However, compared to western modern medicine, the lack of consistent results, follows a mixed perception regarding acupuncture. Thus, numerous misconceptions or myths have developed throughout time. In this blog, we will be tackling the 5 most popular misconceptions regarding acupuncture
Are acupuncture needles painful or is acupuncture painful?
One of the most common questions or misconceptions in acupuncture is that the treatment is painful as it involves needles being inserted to the skin. And, perhaps at first glance, it may not seem that appealing. However, acupuncture needles are not the same as for example hypodermic needles, which are commonly used for injections. In contrast, acupuncture needles are significantly thinner with a much slimmer shaft and fine tips designed for smooth insertion. As a result this slides into the skin with little to no pain for many patients.
In fact, a research conducted by Gold et al. (2023) evaluates the pain response of a total of 230 pediatric patients, aged 8-21 years old throughout 1,380 acupuncture treatments. Researchers found that:
- 58% of patients reported no pain at all during needle insertion.
- 28% reported only mild pain, rating it 2 out of 10.
- The average pain score was just 1.3 out of 10 on the Faces Pain Scale-Revised.
- Patients also reported high levels of overall satisfaction with acupuncture (8.4/10) and rated the acupuncturist highly (9.1/10).
Overall, it was concluded that pain related to needling remains consistently low to none across all sessions, both initial and follow ups. Furthermore, certain patients even reported feeling more relaxed following the treatment as well as an overall satisfaction with the treatment. Based on these findings, it suggests that acupuncture is generally well-tolerated when performed with trained practitioners.
Acupuncture isn’t safe.
In Canada, acupuncture is widely and strictly regulated. While each province has its own standards, in Québec, acupuncturists or practitioners are required to hold a valid license. Meanwhile, all the acupuncture needles that enter the country go through a rigorous certification process with health canada. Modern acupuncture needles are also manufactured as sterile, single-use medical devices and are intended to be discarded after one treatment.
Acupuncturists have minimal education or medical knowledge
In many provinces in Canada, acupuncture is a full 3-4 year course under a certified school that studies intensive courses of anatomy, physiology, pathology and more. On top of that, the students must take the board exam to be a licensed practitioner, however this board exam again varies per provincial standards.
Acupuncture is not a real medical practice or treatment
Acupuncture in several parts of the world is recognized and used as a healthcare profession as part of Integrative Medicine for its contribution to health and well-being according to WHO.
Moreover, based on the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), research to date shows positive results, reporting that acupuncture is beneficial for a variety of physical and mental conditions and studies are still continuing to grow.
However, it is important to highlight that acupuncture is considered as a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical care. If you are experiencing persistent, severe, or unexplained symptoms, it is important to consult a qualified healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment. When appropriate, acupuncture can often be used alongside conventional medicine as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Acupuncture only treats pain
While the most popular use of acupuncture is for pain relief, it is also used for mental health issues, sleep troubles, addictions, and many more. Clinics throughout Canada offer acupuncture for treating mentioned problems. However, results in research continue to vary. According to the NCCIH, acupuncture has been studied with at least 50 other health problems. Some show promising and positive results, though studies in relation to other conditions are still inconsistent.
Takeaways:
Acupuncture has come a long way from its traditional practice. It has evolved and continues to be studied and supported by scientific research. Despite the varying results and common misconceptions, especially regarding pain, many misconceptions are not supported by current evidence. And, when performed by licensed and quality practitioners, acupuncture is generally considered to be a safe treatment that can complement conventional medical care.
Sources:
1. Mallory MJ, Do A, Bublitz SE, Veleber SJ, Bauer BA, Bhagra A. Puncturing the Myths of Acupuncture. Journal of Integrative Medicine. 2016;14(5):311–314. doi:10.1016/S2095-4964(16)60261-7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2095-4964(16)60261-7
2. Gold JI, Kobylecka M, Ngo NH, Lin CT, Hurray CN. Does Acupuncture Hurt? A Retrospective Study on Pain and Satisfaction during Pediatric Acupuncture. Children. 2023;10(11):1774. https://doi.org/10.3390/children10111774
3. World Health Organization. Traditional medicine: Questions and answers. World Health Organization. Updated December 11, 2023. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/traditional-medicine
4. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Acupuncture: Effectiveness and Safety. National Institutes of Health. Updated January 2025. Available from: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/acupuncture-effectiveness-and-safety