Q & A

Acupuncture needles are far different from the hypodermic needle used to give injections. The needles are solid and are inserted into the skin from 1/8 to several inches deep. They are pre-sterilized, individually packaged, disposable needles, absolutely insuring that there is no contamination or transmission of disease possible. They are usually painless upon insertion, but you may feel a slight pricking, numbness, heaviness, or distended sensation in the area around the needle when it is planted. The sensations usually last only a moment.

Acupuncture points are those areas on the body that have been shown to have an influence on pain or body function when stimulated by a needle, pressure, or heat. These points are quite small, and exact location is important for attaining maximum benefit from a given treatment. By inserting needles into points on the meridian pathways, the normal flow of energy may be restored and balanced. The points are organized into twelve classic meridians which are named after the organ systems to which they correspond. There are also eight extra meridians which have distinct functions and address specific conditions.

It is usually recommended that a series of 8-12 treatments be given, initially, especially for fertility patients. However, every case is unique, and some (like pain) can be resolved in only one or two treatments. We will be happy to discuss your case and treatment plan with you frankly and in detail.

One of the greatest advantages of acupuncture is the absence of serious side effects associated with its use. Rarely, there may be some slight bruising around the area where a needle was placed.

The initial visit lasts one and a half hours due to the time required for the extensive intake questions and acupuncture treatment. Follow-up treatments take only one hour. 

Most patients are surprised at how comfortable acupuncture treatment is. Acupuncture needles are roughly the diameter of a human hair — about ten times thinner than a hypodermic needle used for injections. On insertion, most patients feel little or nothing. Once the needle is placed, you may notice a brief sensation traditionally described as “deqi” (pronounced “duh-chee”) — a feeling of warmth, heaviness, mild pressure, or a dull ache that signals the body’s energetic response. This sensation usually fades within seconds. Many patients find treatment deeply relaxing and fall asleep on the table.

Acupuncture is one of the most well-researched complementary therapies in modern medicine. Functional MRI studies show that needling specific points produces measurable changes in brain activity, including modulation of the limbic system, hypothalamus, and pain-processing regions. Research has documented several mechanisms by which acupuncture produces its effects:

– Endorphin release Acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain-relieving and mood-regulating chemicals (Han, 2004, Neuroscience Letters).

– Nervous system modulation Needling activates A-delta and C nerve fibers, which signal the brain and spinal cord to release neurotransmitters including serotonin and norepinephrine.

– Anti-inflammatory effects  Acupuncture has been shown to reduce systemic markers of inflammation including C-reactive protein and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

– Improved blood flow Doppler ultrasound studies demonstrate increased blood flow to the uterus, ovaries, and treated tissues following acupuncture, which has direct relevance for fertility outcomes (Stener-Victorin et al.).

– Autonomic nervous system regulation Acupuncture shifts the body from sympathetic (“fight or flight”) to parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) dominance, supporting reproductive function, digestion, and sleep.

A 2018 individual patient data meta-analysis published in The Journal of Pain concluded that acupuncture is effective for chronic pain, with effects persisting over 12 months and unlikely to be explained by placebo alone (Vickers et al., 2018).

The World Health Organization, the National Institutes of Health, and a growing body of peer-reviewed research recognize acupuncture as effective for a wide range of conditions, including:

– Fertility and reproductive health Infertility (female and male factor), PCOS, endometriosis, diminished ovarian reserve, recurrent pregnancy loss, IVF and IUI support, and frozen embryo transfer outcomes.

– Women’s health Painful periods, irregular cycles, PMS/PMDD, menopausal hot flashes and night sweats, perimenopausal mood changes, and hormone balance.

– Pregnancy and postpartum Morning sickness, pelvic and back pain, breech presentation, labor preparation, postpartum depression, and lactation support.

– Pain Chronic and acute back pain, neck pain, headaches and migraines, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, sciatica, TMJ dysfunction, and post-surgical pain.

– Mental and emotional health  Anxiety, depression, insomnia, PTSD-related symptoms, and stress.

– Digestive disorders IBS, acid reflux, nausea, and chronic constipation.

– Other conditions Allergies, sinusitis, immune support, smoking cessation, and chemotherapy-related side effects.

At Acupuncture Denver we treat a broad range of conditions, with over 80% of our practice focused on fertility, women’s health, and reproductive medicine, but since we each have well over 20 years of clinical experience, we are very comfortable treating a wide range of conditions, especially pain and emotional issues.  

A few simple steps make your first visit more comfortable and effective:

-Eat a light meal within two hours of your appointment. Arriving on an empty stomach can leave you light-headed, especially during your first treatment.

– Wear loose, comfortable clothing that can roll up to the knees and elbows. We provide drapes and shorts if needed.

– Avoid vigorous exercise, alcohol, and caffeine for a few hours before treatment. These can mask the responses we use to make diagnostic and treatment decisions.

– Bring relevant medical information including current medications, supplements, recent lab work, fertility test results, and IVF protocols if applicable.

– Plan to be at the clinic for 90 minutes for the first visit and 60 minutes for follow-ups.

– Please complete your intake in advance through our patient portal (ideally ASAP or the day before your visit) so we can review it before we meet you and optimize our time together. 

– Hydrate well before and after treatment.

Yes! We see pregnant patients on a daily basis as reproductive specialists. Acupuncture has been used safely throughout pregnancy for thousands of years, and modern systematic reviews have confirmed its safety profile when performed by a licensed practitioner trained in reproductive medicine. A 2014 review published in Acupuncture in Medicine concluded that acupuncture is associated with a very low rate of adverse events in pregnancy, comparable to or lower than many conventional interventions.

During pregnancy, acupuncture can help with morning sickness (Cochrane review, Matthews et al., 2014), back and pelvic pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression, breech presentation (using moxibustion at point BL-67), labor preparation, and postpartum recovery.

There are specific points that are avoided during pregnancy, and our ABORM-certified practitioners are trained to provide treatment that supports — rather than disrupts — a developing pregnancy.

Acupuncture and dry needling both use solid, thin filiform needles, but the training, theoretical framework, and scope differ significantly.

– Acupuncture is performed by a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) who has completed a three-to-four-year master’s-level degree (typically 2,500 to 4,000 hours of training), passed national board examinations through the NCCAOM, and is licensed by the state to practice Oriental Medicine. Acupuncturists draw on a complete diagnostic system that includes tongue and pulse diagnosis, classical point selection, herbal medicine, and over 2,500 years of clinical literature.

– Dry needling is a technique often performed by physical therapists, chiropractors, or other healthcare providers with as little as 20 to 80 hours of weekend training. It focuses specifically on the release of myofascial trigger points and does not address the broader physiological, hormonal, or emotional conditions acupuncture can treat.

Both can be effective for musculoskeletal pain. Acupuncture is a broader, more integrative medical system. At Acupuncture Denver, we use both classical acupuncture point selection and trigger-point release techniques as part of our pain treatment when clinically indicated.

Yes. All needles used at Acupuncture Denver are FDA-regulated, pre-sterilized, individually packaged, and single-use disposable. They are opened in front of you and disposed of immediately after treatment in a medical sharps container. There is no possibility of cross-contamination or transmission of bloodborne illness.

Acupuncture has an excellent safety record: a 2001 prospective review of nearly 100,000 treatments in the United Kingdom (MacPherson et al., British Medical Journal) found no serious adverse events, only mild and transient reactions such as minor bruising, brief drowsiness, or temporary worsening of symptoms in a small minority of patients.