How specifically does acupuncture work?
From a Balance Medicine standpoint, acupuncture corrects the flow of resources and information in the body, restoring proper communication and the body's own, extraordinary healing mechanisms.
From a biomedical standpoint, we don't know exactly how it works. Much of the technology necessary to observe acupuncture's action in the body doesn't exist... yet.
There are early clues - stimulation of nerve endings, release of endogenous opiates - but they don't explain everything. Acupuncture does WAY MORE than ease pain and make you feel good. It regulates gut motility, increases uterine blood flow, enhances uterine lining, and more.
What does it feel like?
Everybody's different so experiences vary. Some people get a buzzy or warm feeling when they get acupuncture. Some feel heavy, and others feel like they're floating above the acupuncture table. Just about everyone who sees us says they walk away feeling relaxed, calm, and at peace.
Does it hurt?
Again, everybody's different. We all have different levels of sensitivity to different kinds of touch. If it does hurt, it isn't much. Acupuncture needles are about as thin as a human hair and smooth. They're built to go through mainly skin and muscle, nothing more.
The most common pain with acupuncture is a little achiness which usually goes away after a time and leaves a nice feeling of wellbeing behind.