It's a question of how acupuncture works. Inserting acupuncture needles into the skin will produce, number one, increased local blood circulation. It will stimulate the production of endorphines, which produce a morphine-like physiological effect. Therefore, the patient feels less pain and it eases the tension that patients often feel. I see more chronic arthritis.
Patients typically come and complain of pain, and swelling and going up and down steps.
The size or the needle is about the size of a strand of hair. So the smaller, thinner needle is less painful. We use a quick insertion technique. It is inserted in about a quarter of an inch. Patients usually don't feel pain.