Qi Sensation: East and West

In China, the intent with acupuncture is to elicit a "qi sensation". The qi sensation is the heavy, achy, dull feeling patients may experience from the insertion of the acupuncture needle. The Chinese believe that this is a vital indicator as to the effectiveness of the treatment(s). Therefore Chinese practitioners often use large gauge needles and may do a lot of manipulation with those needles to get that sensation.Japanese acupuncture tends to favor the use of much smaller, finer needles and the qi sensations are much less obvious.

In the West, patients are often fearful of needles. Most patients do not want to "feel" anything. Any sensation at all is considered "pain". This is a cultural difference. Chinese patients usually do not consider the strong qi sensations from acupuncture to be "painful". They understand that as qi, because it is a part of their cultural tradition and they are familiar with it.

At American Acupuncture Center we have a wide range of needling styles. It really depends on the patient. Some people benefit from strong qi sensation and some do not. Some patients ONLY want strong and obvious qi sensation and don't feel the treatment is effective without it. Others simply can not relax with too much stimulation. After a few treatments, you will be able to recognize the sensation of "qi" as opposed to "pain".

To be honest, patients benefit from all styles; it's really a case-by-case basis.Also, the acupuncturist will know when the needle is at the correct depth and location by the "feel" of the needle in the fingers. This ability simply comes from treating a lot of people. You can not learn it from a book...