Does Acupuncture Hurt for Athletes? The Honest Answer
You're standing outside my office for your first acupuncture appointment. You've heard it can help with that nagging IT band issue, or maybe it's your shoulder that just won't quit. But right now, you're wondering: is this actually going to hurt?
You've gotten blood drawn before. You've had shots. And if you're being honest with yourself, you're a little nervous about needles.
Let me be honest with you right back: you will have feeling and you will have sensation with acupuncture. But here's the important part - it shouldn't hurt.
I know that might sound like I'm splitting hairs, but as an athlete yourself, you already understand the difference. You know that feeling when you're pushing through the last mile of a long run, or holding a plank just a bit longer than comfortable? There's discomfort, there's sensation, but it's not the sharp "something's wrong" kind of pain. Acupuncture sensations fall into that same category.
Let me walk you through what actually happens during your first treatment, because understanding the process makes all the difference.
First, Let's Talk About What You're Picturing
Right now, you're probably imagining the needles from blood draws or vaccinations. I get it - that's what most people think of when they hear "needle."
But acupuncture needles are nothing like that.
Acupuncture needles are as thin as a human hair. You could fit 12 to 15 acupuncture needles inside the tip of a needle used to draw blood. They're that fine.
Here's why the difference matters: the needles used for shots or blood draws are hollow - they need that tube to inject or extract liquid, which takes up space. Acupuncture needles don't inject anything or take anything out. They're solid, incredibly thin pieces of metal that simply need to make contact with your myofascial tissue or nervous system to create the healing response we're after.
And yes, they're one-time use. Every needle is sterile, used once on you, and then disposed of as medical waste. No exceptions.
How We Actually Start Your Treatment
Before I place a single needle, we talk. I need to understand your experience with needles. Does the idea make you nervous? Have you had acupuncture before? Are you someone who gets queasy at the doctor's office, or are you pretty comfortable with medical stuff?
This isn't small talk - this context directly affects how I approach your treatment.
Once we start, I'm going to sound like a broken record - and hopefully you know what a record is. I'm going to keep asking: What do you feel? How are you doing? Can you describe that sensation?
I also give you expectations before you feel anything. If we're working on an area that typically has more sensation, I'll tell you. If a muscle might spasm, you'll get a heads up. No surprises.
The Guide Tube "Hack"
Here's something most people don't know: your skin has protective nerves at the surface. When you touch something hot, your body instinctively jerks away - that's your skin's protection mechanism in action.
Those same protective nerves can react when a needle enters through the skin. So we use what's called a guide tube - a thin plastic tube that we press against your skin. This desensitizes those surface nerves, essentially distracting your body from the needle insertion. Think of it as a hack to trick your nervous system.
Most of the time, you'll hardly feel the needle go in. If you do feel something sharp or stingy, it should dissipate within a second or two. That's normal. But if that sensation lasts longer - three, four, five seconds or more - that's a signal that the guide tube didn't quite do its job, and I'll adjust the needle placement.
What You'll Actually Feel Once the Needles Are In
Now we're getting to the real question: what do acupuncture sensations actually feel like?
The sensations you might experience include:
Tingling - like when your foot's been asleep and blood flow returns
Warmth - a gentle heat spreading through the area
Heaviness - like your limb weighs more than usual
Muscle spasm - a quick twitch or jump in the muscle
These are all good sensations. In fact, the stronger you feel them, the more that area probably needs the work.
The Spice Level Analogy
Think of acupuncture sensation like spice levels at your favorite restaurant. Some points feel mild - barely noticeable. Others are spicier - you definitely feel them working.
And just like with food, everyone's tolerance is different. Some athletes can handle the "extra spicy" treatment right away. Others need to build up their tolerance over time. Both approaches work - it's about finding what's right for your body.
So what's actually happening in your body when you feel that "spicier" sensation? Why does one point feel mild while another feels more intense?
What Your Body Is Telling You
When you feel that stronger sensation - what we call "de qi" in Chinese medicine - your body is essentially saying "pay attention to me here." Think of it as your body's communication system lighting up.
Here's what's happening: when the needle connects with that area, it sends a signal through your nervous system straight to your brain. That signal is saying "this area needs help" or "please focus your healing attention here." The stronger the sensation, typically the more your body is asking for support in that spot.
Dr. Daniel Keown, in his book The Spark in the Machine, describes qi as the smallest unit of energy in the body. When we get that de qi sensation, we're making a connection with your body's energetic system - essentially reminding your body how to heal itself in that specific area.
Good Pain vs. Bad Pain (You Already Know This)
As an athlete, you know the difference between productive discomfort and "something's wrong" pain. When you're building endurance or strength, you hit points where it doesn't feel pleasant, but you know it's part of the process - part of getting to where you want to go.
Acupuncture sensations work the same way. That tingling, warmth, or muscle response? That's the good kind - your body adapting and responding to treatment.
What We DON'T Want
We never want sensations that are sharp, stingy, or stabby that last. Those aren't helpful, and they tell me I need to adjust.
Here's something important about relaxation: if you tense up, your body becomes less receptive to treatment, and you might feel more discomfort. Think about it - if you tighten a muscle, it becomes harder and denser. A needle moving through tight tissue triggers more nerve response than one moving through relaxed tissue.
So taking a deep breath, staying loose, and trusting the process actually makes the whole experience more comfortable.
When Things Get Interesting: The Muscle Spasm
Sometimes when a needle hits the right spot, you'll feel a muscle jump or spasm. It's involuntary, maybe a little surprising, but it's actually what we want. That spasm is the muscle releasing tension.
Occasionally, especially when working with trigger points, we want multiple spasms - release, relax, release, relax - to keep encouraging that tight muscle to let go. This is similar to what some people know as dry needling.
When this happens, you might feel some radiating pain or referral sensations - the kind you typically experience with that injury. It might be uncomfortable for a second, but it passes. And I'll always tell you beforehand if this is something we're going to do.
When Your Original Pain Shows Up
Here's something that surprises a lot of athletes: sometimes when I place a needle, it reproduces the exact pain or discomfort you came in with.
Don't panic - this is actually a really good sign. It means we're in precisely the right spot, triggering the signal we want to send to your brain to promote healing. Just like the other sensations, this should dissipate within a second or two.
Sometimes I might even stimulate that point more intensely - turning the needle or adjusting the angle to find the exact right spot. This creates a stronger sensation, but it also sends a stronger healing signal to your brain. How much we do this depends on what you're comfortable with. We might work up to it gradually, or if you can handle more sensation, we might go for it right away.
The Part Nobody Talks About: The Acu-Nap
Here's what happens after all the needles are placed: I dim the lights, turn on relaxing music, and leave you to rest for 20-30 minutes.
And here's what most athletes don't expect - the majority of people fall asleep. We call it an "acu-nap."
You go into this deep, profoundly relaxed state. Some people fully fall asleep. Others describe it as being asleep but not asleep - aware but deeply rested. This isn't just a nice bonus - it's actually part of the healing process. Your nervous system needs this time to integrate the treatment.
Many athletes describe feeling relief during this time, like tension is literally leaving their body. Some say it feels like toxins releasing. Whatever language resonates with you, it's that moment when your body finally lets go.
This is often when people realize: "Wait, that's what I was worried about?"
Walking Out: What to Expect After Treatment
The goal is for you to feel better after treatment, and most people do. More range of motion, less pain, a different quality to any remaining discomfort.
But let me be honest - sometimes you'll feel soreness afterward, similar to what you'd experience after a good workout. That muscle soreness you sometimes get a day or two after training? Same concept here. Your muscles are saying "thanks for waking me up" or "thanks for helping me finally relax."
This soreness can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few days. It's totally normal and part of the process. Don't be discouraged by it.
Think of it this way: if you haven't worked out in a year and then you do an intense session, you're going to feel more sore than if you'd been consistently training. It's the same with acupuncture. Your first treatment - or when we're working on a new injury - might create more soreness because your body is experiencing something new and responding to it.
Post-Treatment Self-Care
After your session, treat your body like you would after a hard training day:
Hydrate - drink plenty of water
Recovery nutrition - I recommend a recovery drink within 15-30 minutes after treatment. Personally, I like Hammer Nutrition's Recoverite, but use whatever works for your system
Take it easy - give your body the rest of the day to integrate the treatment
The Bigger Picture: Building Your Tolerance
Here's the thing: acupuncture is a process, not a one-time fix. Just like you can't expect to get in shape from one workout, you can't expect complete healing from one session. It takes several treatments, building on each other, to get long-term results.
And just like working out, your first session might feel more intense than later ones. As you continue treatment, your body adapts. You build tolerance. What felt spicy at first becomes manageable.
Some people feel significant relief after the first treatment. Others need a few sessions before they notice major changes. Your personal experience is always where we focus, and we adjust the treatment plan based on how your body responds.
So, Does It Hurt?
No, not in the way you're probably worried about.
Will you feel sensations? Yes, and that's actually a good thing. Those sensations are your body communicating, responding, and beginning to heal.
Is it within your control? Absolutely. We'll work together to find your comfort zone, and you can always speak up if something doesn't feel right.
Every athlete has different tolerance levels - some want that spicy, intense treatment from day one. Others need to build up gradually. Both approaches work.
The athletes who walk out of their first treatment usually say some version of: "That's it? That's what I was worried about?" followed by "When can I come back?"
Ready to Experience It for Yourself?
If you're curious about how acupuncture can support your training and help you get back to doing what you love, let's talk. I offer a free 20-minute consultation where we can discuss your specific situation and whether acupuncture is right for you.
Text me directly or schedule your consultation here. .
Your body wants to heal and perform - sometimes it just needs a reminder of how to do both.