Expert: R. Scott Malone L.Ac. - 8/17/2009

Question
I recently had my first session of acupuncture. I found it to be a painful and uncomfortable ordeal. When the needles were put into my right knee in particular (but also the right side of my back and my right hand and ankle) it was extremely painful and my muscles jerked as in a reflex action, presumably activating the nerves. It was a very nasty feeling a bit like pressing really hard with say a pencil on the spot that gives you a "dead leg" but much much worse.

Now, some hours after the treatment, my back and my knee and ankle are very sore as if they are very bruised (they don't look bruised) I have an existing inflamed joint in my lower back on the right that has troubled me since I was about 19, I am now 43. My main reason for seeking treatment is for relief from pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis.

Is what I experienced normal? I had little problem with the left hand side of my body, just one needle hurt on my left hand. Should I return to continue treatment (I'm rather reluctant to do so even if it means I've wasted money)?

Answer
Hello Laura,

Many times when doing muscular acupuncture, we look to get the muscle to clench and then relax.
I was taught that you peck with the needle like a bird looking for a worm. When you find the "gummy"
you peck until the muscle releases.

I always tell my patients that if they are going to call and curse me the next day, to wait an additional day and they won't need to. Sometimes the day of or the next day is worse and then relief comes.

Perhaps you could also ask for a round of needles to relax the body before starting in on some of the more intense work. You could also see if they can send you home with some herbal plasters to give you some relief. You might also request a smaller gauge needle.

The most important thing is to talk to your practitioner and let them know of your discomfort and concerns.

I do an initial run of 5 sessions to see what kind of results we can get. That gives me a fair amount of time to get some change going in the body. If the results are negligible then perhaps it's time to refer the patient to someone that I think can help more.

Sometimes it does hurt worse before things can get better, but many times there are a number of little tweaks to your session that can ameliorate discomfort.

Chin up and good luck,

R. Scott Malone L.Ac.