The short answer is: It depends on the treatment.

For pain, we are frequently enhancing circulation and releasing knots in the fascial tissue. For recovery from injury, circulation is key, but needling in the area of injury can also lower excess inflammation. Scalp acupuncture can significantly enhance blood flow to targeted parts of the brain to support motor control, sensory integration, and concentration. Acupuncture can also impact your vagus nerve and various immune responses, helping you to manage stress, achieve better sleep, and lower chronic inflammation.

The meridian system, developed thousands of years ago, long before MRIs and X-rays, sometimes aligns with anatomical structures like fascia, but also maps a broader, functional network. This network of "channels" or "meridians" allows for communication and regulation throughout the body. Some treatments focus entirely on this meridian network rather than the immediate anatomy around any one needle. Most sessions, however, take a layered approach that integrates local anatomy, systemic signaling, and energetic flow.

Generally, no.

Some points are more sensitive than others, but most people are surprised by how little they feel. Acupuncture needles are extremely thin, often finer than a human hair, nothing like hypodermic needles used for shots in a typical medical setting. While thicker and even hypodermic needles may occasionally be used for specific techniques, most acupuncture treatments rely very thin needles. You may feel a brief pinch, tingling, or a spreading warmth as circulation increases.

In a treatment, we take it one step at a time. For a knotted shoulder, for example, first, we will do cupping, which is very relaxing. Then, we'll needle any knots by "threading" into them and allowing them to release on their own under red light and infrared therapy lamp. For stubborn knots, we'll follow with a little more needle stimulation to release it. Finally, we finish with some pressure and topicals if desired.

We try to make sure you leave feeling light and refreshed after every treatment, but it's important to bear a couple things in mind. One, some conditions took time to form and may take time to heal. Two, it's frequently the lifestyle currently lived that leads to the condition, so the best results will often come from treatment PLUS lifestyle changes. Expectations will vary by person, condition, and lifestyle.

A few examples from Dr. Stanley:

• Allergies will improve right away, but herbs will most likely be necessary. Needles are great for clearing congestion, but it's still Austin.

• Things like neuropathy and bunions will take multiple visits and some changes.

• For mental health, ongoing treatment and/or herbs are generally best.

• For something like plantar fasciitis, I generally find that people have very tight soleus muscles. We release that, and the relief is pretty immediate. However, for those training for events, it will keep coming back with heavy training.