Expert: Tamsen Staniford, L.Ac. - 3/21/2011

Question
Hi, I am very worried about a pain I have in my right forearm (ulnar area) after a treatment I had 3 weeks ago.  I've been receiving acupuncture for 20+ years and am used to leaving with some pain, on occasion, but it always resolves after a day or so.  This current pain hasn't left and feels different.  It is an intense pain that occurs mostly when the muscle is engaged (picking up a cup of coffee, for example).  But even stretching my arm or making a fist engages the muscle enough to cause pain and there is lingering soreness afterwards.  It feels more muscular as opposed to a deep, dull ache which is how it usually feels.  I asked the acupuncturist if she has any idea what it might be, and she didn't know.  She is a reputable practitioner who teaches at the acupuncture school with many years under her belt.  She practices 5 element and feels certain it could not cause nerve damage.  I have no idea what else it might be.  When she inserted the needle it was extremely painful but again, I understand that happens on occasion although this one was worse than usual.  Thanks for considering my question.  I am currently researching homeopathic remedies to help heal the nerve if, in fact, that is what has happened but my worry is that nerves don't heal!

Answer
Since I don't know from your message exactly where the needle was placed I don't have any idea what specific structure was damaged.  In general, a sharp intense or burning pain upon needle insertion is not acceptable and you should always let the practitioner know so they can replace the needle.  
Pain like you are describing usually comes from damage to a tendon or sheath of connective tissue near the muscle.  Those structures do not have very good circulation so they take a while to heal up and can become very inflamed with a small irritation like an acupuncture needle.  Also, nerves are literally everywhere in the body and it is possible to damage them with a needle, it's just rare, no matter what style of acupuncture you do.  They also take weeks to repair due to the nature of cell regeneration time in the peripheral nervous system.  In either case, it just takes time for the tissue to repair itself.  You can help speed up the process by increasing circulation of blood and interstitial fluid in the effected area by stretching the muscle and massaging the area a few times a day.  You may also want to try an anti-inflammatory cream in addition.
And in the future if there is any lingering pain upon needle insertion besides the typical dull ache that means a needle is in a structure it shouldn't be and needs to be moved, so make sure to let your practitioner know.