Acupuncture needles, which can be as fine as a piece of hair, are inserted into acupuncture points in the skin. The solid, metallic (usually stainless steel) needles range in thickness, shape and length. The size of the needle used depends on the person, the area of the body which is being treated and style of acupuncture being used. They are typically prepackaged, disposable, and sterile and used only one time. At Thunderbird Wellness, we use only disposable needles and they are discarded in a sharps container after your visit. They are never reused.
The acupuncture needles are inserted into the acupuncture points which are just beneath the skin, to stimulate the body’s nervous system and stimulate the body’s production of endorphins and encephalin, which are the body’s natural painkillers. It is believed that the needles help correct the flow of energy within the body and helps relieve pain and restore health.
It helps move your body out of sympathetic mode which we know as fight or flight and into parasympathetic mode which is to digest and rest. It also relaxes the nervous system, aides in reducing internal chatter and reduces muscular tension.