FAQ · 자주 묻는 질문

Questions, considered.

Honest answers about acupuncture — how it works, whether it hurts, what the research says, and why your practitioner is choosing those particular points.

4 questions Reviewed by our practitioners Updated May 2026

Yes. Acupuncture has been effective for a long period of time, and in recent years that effectiveness has been increasingly demonstrated by scientific research.

Acupuncture has traditional roots, but that does not mean it is unscientific. Many older health practices were originally based on experience and tradition before modern science later explained why they worked. Acupuncture is similar — it was practiced for thousands of years, and modern research has increasingly studied its physiological effects.

Some research has shown that acupuncture can activate the body's endogenous opioid system, releasing endorphins that help manage pain. Studies have also examined electro-acupuncture and how different stimulation frequencies may affect the release of different neuropeptides.

Large-scale studies, including research in Germany, have found acupuncture to be effective for certain chronic pain conditions, including chronic back pain and knee osteoarthritis. In recent years, medical institutions have also studied acupuncture for conditions such as PTSD, addiction, fibromyalgia, chemotherapy side effects, nausea, IBS, and chronic pain.

Acupuncture's effects may be understood in several ways: locally, by reducing pain and affecting trigger points; segmentally, by modulating nervous system pathways; and centrally, by influencing pain regulation, relaxation, mood, and autonomic function.

Because acupuncture is studied through observation, experimentation, and clinical research, it can be considered an evidence-informed practice with deep traditional roots. While it is not a cure-all and research results vary depending on the condition, it is inaccurate to dismiss acupuncture as mere superstition or pseudoscience.

Sources7
  • Han, Ji Sheng. Various publications. Elsevier — accessed via ScienceDirect.
  • Han, Ji Sheng, et al. "Acupuncture mechanisms and treatment effects." PubMed Central, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2007.
  • RP Online. "Frauen häufiger mit Akupunktur behandelt." Rheinische Post, Düsseldorf.
  • Liu, Jian, et al. "Global trends in acupuncture research: a bibliometric analysis." Medicine (Baltimore), Wolters Kluwer Health, 2024.
  • Zhou, Wei, et al. "Evidence-based acupuncture: a literature review." PubMed Central, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2018.
  • Han, Ji Sheng. "Electroacupuncture: biological effects and clinical efficacy." PubMed Central, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1998.
  • White, Adrian, et al. An Introduction to Western Medical Acupuncture. Elsevier, New York, 2018.

The short answer is no. Many people feel nervous before trying acupuncture, especially if they are worried about needles. Acupuncture is, in fact, a gentle and low-risk treatment that is much more comfortable than most people expect.

What to expect during treatment

Acupuncture needles are extremely thin — about 10 to 12 times thinner than the needles used for injections or blood draws. Most people feel only a light tingling, slight pressure, or a mild sensation as the needles are placed. Many patients feel deeply relaxed during and after treatment, and some even fall asleep on the table.

Low risk of side effects

When performed by a licensed practitioner, acupuncture carries a very low risk of side effects. Minor effects such as slight tiredness, mild soreness, or temporary discomfort can happen but usually resolve quickly. Serious side effects are extremely rare when treatment is provided by a trained professional.

If you have questions about the effects or risks of acupuncture, please feel free to contact us. A practitioner will be happy to discuss your concerns with you.

Acupuncture works through several physiological mechanisms. When a needle is inserted, it can affect three main areas — local tissue, spinal segmental pathways, and the central nervous system.

  1. ①Local tissue
  2. ②Spinal segmental pathways
  3. ③The central nervous system

First — the local area

When a needle is inserted into tissue, sensory nerves are mechanically stimulated. This can lead to the release of neuropeptides, such as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which may increase blood flow and support tissue recovery.

Acupuncture may also help reduce pain through the release of endorphins, adenosine, and other naturally occurring pain-relieving substances. It can also help loosen tight muscle tissue and deactivate myofascial trigger points.

Second — the spinal segment

Acupuncture can affect the spinal segment connected to the treated area. Sensory information from the body travels through nerve pathways to the spinal cord, where pain signals can be modified. This is related to the gate-control theory of pain relief, where stimulation from acupuncture may help reduce how strongly pain signals are perceived.

Acupuncture may also influence the autonomic nervous system, which helps regulate internal organs, muscle tone, and the balance between the sympathetic "fight-or-flight" system and the parasympathetic "rest-and-digest" system.

Finally — the central nervous system

Research suggests that acupuncture may influence relaxation, mood, emotions, nausea, hormonal regulation, and autonomic balance. These effects may involve areas of the brain such as the limbic system, hypothalamus, brainstem, and related nervous system pathways.

In simple terms, acupuncture may help the body regulate pain, reduce tension, improve circulation, and support a more balanced nervous system response.

Sources2
  • White, Adrian, et al. An Introduction to Western Medical Acupuncture. Elsevier, New York, 2018.
  • Stux, Gabriel, et al. Basics of Acupuncture. Springer, New York, 2013.

A practitioner chooses acupuncture points for three main reasons — the point is in the area that is directly affected, the point is anatomically or functionally related to the affected area, or the point may help regulate the nervous system involved in the patient's symptoms.

  1. ①The point is in the area that is directly affected.
  2. ②The point is anatomically, functionally, or physiologically related to the affected area.
  3. ③The point may help regulate the nervous system involved in the patient's symptoms.

For example, if a patient has knee and back pain after running, the acupuncturist may choose points directly around the knee and back because those are the painful areas.

The practitioner may also choose points on the thigh, calf, hip, or other nearby areas because movement involves many connected muscles, tendons, joints, and nerve pathways. Sometimes the painful area is only one part of a larger functional pattern.

Finally, the acupuncturist may choose points on the hand, foot, or head to help regulate the nervous system. These points may help calm an overactive pain response, support the shift from "fight-or-flight" toward "rest-and-digest," and improve the patient's overall sense of well-being.

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