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The needles used to perform acupuncture are small, but the myths surrounding acupuncture are big! Perhaps it's because this treatment is still gaining acceptance in the United States, or maybe it's because so few people actually get acupuncture treatment before sharing what they think they know about the procedure. For whatever reason these myths exist, today they'll be busted wide open in this article.

Myth: Acupuncture hurts

You would think that sticking needles into your skin would hurt, right? After all, getting a shot hurts. Sticking yourself with a sewing needle hurts, too. However, the needles used for acupuncture are much smaller and thinner than a sewing needle. Most people cannot even feel them going in. Some people feel a little prick or itch when needles are inserted, but almost nobody actually feels pain during acupuncture treatment. 

Myth: Acupuncture comes with a high risk of infection

Inserting needles into your skin certainly could open you up to the possibility of infection if those needles were not sterile. But thankfully, acupuncturists are very careful to only use sterile needles in their practice. As long as you go to a licensed practitioner, you have no reason to worry about infection. 

Myth: Acupuncture doesn't actually do anything

While acupuncture is not as well researched by the scientific community as some other medical practices, there is evidence that it works for certain conditions, including pain management. It has been used for many years, and there are many, many patients who have experienced the benefits for themselves. Now, acupuncture is not a magic cure. It won't make cancer disappear or cure you of the flu. However, it can greatly help manage pain, stress, anxiety, depression, and muscle tension, and in doing so, it can help manage many different conditions.

Myth: Acupuncture is a religious practice

Acupuncture sometimes gets associated with voodoo, a spiritual practice that involves inserting needles into dolls that represent other people. But voodoo and acupuncture are two very different practices. They two both just happen to involve needles. Acupuncture is not a religious or spiritual practice and is not associated with any particular religion. It is purely a medical treatment.

These big acupuncture myths are simply untrue, and they don't serve anyone. If you have any other concerns or queries about acupuncture, reach out to an acupuncturist in your area. They should be able to tell you more about the acupuncture treatments they offer.