Expert: Dr. Man Tran, Ph.D, D.C., L.Ac. - 9/5/2006

Question
Dear doctor,Greetings to you. I have recently  started my acupunture practice. I have noticed a thing  in all my patients I have treated with acupunture so far. On the first session they experience very less pain while piercing (I use a one prick method or at times rotate and pierce) and feel the dequi as I manipulate..but, the pain of piercing increase on the next session and it is unbearable for them on the third and following sessions so that I only pierce cutaneously. But, it is true that I see the results after the third or fourth session itself.have you experienced such things or is this normal. Thanking you. Anson

Answer
Dear Anson,

Sometimes when the needles are rotated and turned it will cause quite discomfort for the patients since the muscle fibers may become entangled and interwoven with the needle.  My suggestion is to leave the needles in place without rotating.  Try using the scrapping or twirling method.  This will bring about the qi and less invasive.  Alternatively, you can attach electrodes to the needles and stimulate the qi that way.

Good luck and best wishes,

Dr. Man Tran
www.DrManTran

PS.  Where is your practice?  In the US?