Author
Bowtie Team
Updated on
2025-08-01
Disclaimer: This article is translated with the assistance of AI.
Dive into the world of acupuncture with TCM insights! Explore 9 key benefits, core principles, Hong Kong pricing, and essential precautions for a safe experience.
Acupuncture Principles
The human body has at least 365 acupuncture points, which are key areas where meridian qi and blood gather, infuse, or pass through on the body’s surface. These points serve as reactive zones connected to internal organs via meridians. Based on a solid understanding of anatomy, Chinese medicine practitioners use acupuncture to stimulate these points, regulating bodily functions to achieve therapeutic effects.
9 Benefits of Acupuncture
Weight Loss
By stimulating acupuncture points, such as abdominal acupuncture combined with mild electrical currents from an electro-acupuncture device, it can unblock meridians and qi-blood flow, regulate the functions of the five organs and six viscera, stimulate muscle activity, aid in metabolizing toxins and dispelling dampness, and reduce appetite. Paired with a balanced diet, this effectively controls weight and achieves slimming and body-shaping results.
Treating Eczema
Many people suffer from the itching of eczema. During flare-ups, acupuncture, bloodletting, and cupping can relieve the itch. In remission periods, acupuncture combined with long-term internal Chinese herbal medicine can effectively reduce the scope, frequency, and intensity of outbreaks, as well as allergic reactions.
Beauty Enhancement
As the saying goes, “What is inside reflects on the outside.” Balancing the body’s internal harmony naturally improves complexion and physique. Local facial acupuncture can effectively tighten skin and reduce wrinkles.
Pain Relief
Acupuncture relieves pain, relaxes muscles and fascia, and resolves tissue adhesions. Scientifically, it works through the “Gate Control Theory” and “Endorphin Theory.” When acupuncture stimulates nerves, it occupies the pathways, blocking pain signals from reaching the brain. The sensations of soreness, numbness, swelling, or pain during treatment—known as “de qi”—act as barriers to pain. The stimulation also prompts the brain to release endorphins for pain relief.
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Regulating Gut Function
Some people experience stomach discomfort from Chinese herbs. Acupuncture at nearby points, like abdominal ones, directly stimulates and improves intestinal motility. From a meridian perspective, it clears qi in the liver, gallbladder, spleen, and stomach, effectively alleviating indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, and other gastrointestinal issues.
Improving Sleep Issues
Acupuncture calms the mind by stimulating key points. In a large clinical trial with 180 participants, points like Baihui, Shenting, Sishencong, Shenmen, and Sanyinjiao were needled for 6 weeks. Results showed improved sleep quality and daytime function. Shenmen point interacts with the GABA pathway, inhibiting central nervous system activity and influencing melatonin levels in the brain.
Treating Mood Disorders
Stimulating head points with acupuncture awakens the mind, relieves depression, calms the spirit, and clears stagnant qi and blood. Combined with electro-acupuncture, it boosts serotonin secretion, easing depression symptoms, promoting relaxation, and improving mood and sleep quality.
Managing Stroke Aftereffects
Modern research shows acupuncture improves brain oxygen metabolism, increases cerebral blood flow and glucose supply, protects central neurons, and reduces neuronal death. By altering peripheral inputs, it promotes cortical plasticity, activates inherent neural pathways, lowers disability rates, and aids recovery in stroke patients.
Supporting Cancer Recovery
Acupuncture complements Western cancer treatments by relieving pain and side effects. U.S. studies found it significantly reduces pain in breast cancer patients on hormone therapy, helping them continue treatment and improve survival rates.
I’ve treated a woman post-colorectal cancer surgery and chemotherapy who felt exhausted, weak-limbed, short of breath, and had disrupted bowel function. Without Western meds, just acupuncture and moxibustion improved her bowel movements and energy levels. After weekly sessions, her complexion and pulse improved noticeably, and she reported better breathing during speech and smoother bowels.
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Who Should Try Acupuncture? Suitable and Unsuitable Candidates
The following people are suitable for acupuncture treatment:
- Gastrointestinal issues: indigestion, diarrhea, constipation
- Sleep problems: difficulty falling asleep, frequent dreams, easy waking, light sleep
- Emotional issues: anxiety, depression
- Gynecological issues: irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, abnormal vaginal discharge, infertility, postpartum recovery
- Weight management: weight loss
- Skin problems: eczema, psoriasis
- Pain conditions: headaches, frozen shoulder, neck and back pain, lower back pain, knee pain, elbow pain, heel pain, joint degeneration
- Stroke sequelae, lower motor neuron diseases
- Health maintenance and wellness
People not suitable for acupuncture:
- Pregnant women under 3 months should avoid needling below the navel; after 3 months, avoid points in the lower abdomen and lumbosacral region that may cause uterine contractions
- Infants with unclosed fontanelles (the diamond-shaped spaces in the skull that haven’t fused)
- Overly hungry, overworked, or physically weak individuals
- Those with mania or emotional instability
- Diabetics with skin that heals poorly
- Severe blood clotting disorders
- Severe skin infections or ulcers
- Malignant tumors (in some cases, Western medicine advises against acupuncture)
- Leukemia
Acupuncture Treatment Precautions
Before Acupuncture
To avoid fainting, patients should not undergo acupuncture when hungry, overly full, tense, extremely angry, after staying up all night, drinking alcohol, exercising, or feeling excessively fatigued. It’s advisable to empty the bladder first and wear loose clothing for easy access during treatment. Before the session, sit and rest for 5 minutes to relax the body and stabilize emotions for better results and to prevent needle fainting.
During Acupuncture
During the session, maintain a comfortable position and avoid changing posture to prevent bending or breaking the needle. Those with mobility issues should have a caregiver nearby for assistance. You may feel sensations like soreness, numbness, swelling, pain, electric shocks, or an ant-crawling feeling at the treatment site—these are normal responses. If the pain or electric sensation becomes unbearable, communicate with the Chinese medicine practitioner to adjust the intensity. If you experience dizziness, nausea, cold sweats, palpitations, blurred vision, or breathing difficulties (signs of needle fainting), inform the practitioner or medical staff immediately.
After Acupuncture
After removing the needles, any subcutaneous bleeding or bruising will naturally absorb and fade—no need to worry. For 1-2 days, there might be lingering pain or local bruising at the needle sites, which is normal. You can resume normal activities like bathing, working, labor, or exercising. Depending on your constitution and age, younger and stronger individuals may see significant improvement after 1-2 sessions, while elderly or frail patients may need consistent treatment for lasting benefits.
Other Precautions
Avoid Overexertion After Needling
For pain conditions, acupuncture can significantly restore skeletal muscle contraction proteins. Rest is key; once recovered, start with light activities and gradually increase to prevent repeated muscle injury.
Avoid Wind and Cold
For symptoms like lower back pain triggered by cold, keep warm after acupuncture to prevent recurrence.
Possible Reactions After Acupuncture
Pain
Local acupoints may feel painful after treatment, known in Chinese medicine as residual needle sensation. This often occurs when muscles remain tense after stimulation, compressing nearby nerves. It usually subsides in 1-2 days or a week; apply warm compresses for relief. When addressing adhesions, the practitioner’s needling technique releases them, and pain from tissue repair is normal.
Fatigue
Depending on constitution, age, and condition, acupuncture adjusts qi, blood, yin, and yang, which may cause some to feel unusually tired, sweaty, have diarrhea, or experience joint and muscle soreness. These are normal detox reactions—drink plenty of water and rest to help restore balance.
How Long Does Acupuncture Treatment Take?
Needles are typically left in for 30 minutes. For those with weaker constitutions or elderly patients with deficient qi and blood, slower circulation suggests leaving them for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Actual duration varies by condition, constitution, age, and treatment course. For gynecological issues, continuous treatment for at least 3 menstrual cycles with at least 2 sessions per week is recommended. For gastrointestinal problems (like constipation), treat for 1 month with at least 3 sessions per week. Consult your Chinese medicine practitioner for specifics.
Where’s the Best Place for Acupuncture? What’s the Cost?
Market rates for acupuncture are around HK$400. Bowtie & JP Health offers on-site Chinese medicine practitioners for acupuncture, suitable for internal medicine, dermatology, gynecology, mental health, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, weight management, and sleep issues. Physiotherapists also provide acupuncture and physical therapy for muscle and bone pain.
What Are the Contraindications for Acupuncture?
Those with extreme needle phobia, highly unstable mental states, blood clotting disorders, or under 3 months pregnant should avoid needling below the navel. For pregnancies over 3 months, avoid points in the lower abdomen or lumbosacral area that could cause uterine contractions. Infants under 1 year should not receive acupuncture unless necessary.
Can I Shower After Acupuncture?
Yes, you can shower as usual after acupuncture.
Besides Chinese Medicine Practitioners, Who Can Perform Acupuncture?
In addition to registered Chinese medicine practitioners, physiotherapists who have completed acupuncture courses and obtained a diploma can also perform acupuncture on patients.
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