Acupuncture

Acupuncture inserts very fine needles at defined points to modulate function through manipulation, electrical stimulation or heat. Modern clinical needles are 0.16–0.30 mm in diameter — far thinner than injection needles — and most patients feel only a mild ache or distension at insertion, known in Chinese medicine as “de qi”.

In China acupuncture is a medical service, not a wellness experience: it is performed by licensed physicians in treatment rooms, with single-use needles and auditable protocols.

Acupuncture is most widely applied to pain and functional conditions. WHO's acupuncture trial evidence list includes, among others:

Evidence strength varies by condition; acupuncture usually works alongside standard care rather than replacing it.

• Neck, shoulder, back and sciatic pain
• Migraine and tension-type headache
• Post-chemotherapy and post-operative nausea
• Primary dysmenorrhea
• Bell's palsy rehabilitation support
• Insomnia and functional GI discomfort

The first visit takes 40–60 minutes, follow-ups 20–40 minutes. The typical flow:

Needles stay in for 10–25 minutes; some hospitals add electro-acupuncture, moxa boxes or cupping. Most protocols run 2–3 sessions per week, with 5–10 sessions as one evaluation cycle.

• Consultation with tongue and pulse reading to define the point prescription
• Disinfection and insertion; a brief ache means the point is engaged
• Rest quietly during retention; signal any discomfort
• Needles removed with pressure applied; aftercare explained

In licensed settings serious adverse events are rare. The most common minor reactions are brief soreness or a drop of blood at insertion; dizziness (needle fainting) is usually linked to fasting or anxiety and resolves lying down.

Tell the physician beforehand if you:

• Take anticoagulants or have a bleeding tendency
• Are pregnant (some points are forbidden)
• Have a pacemaker (electro-acupuncture needs caution)
• Have local skin infection or broken skin

At Grade 3A hospitals a single acupuncture session typically costs a few tens to a few hundred RMB; international departments charge more but include interpretation. A 5–10 session course usually costs far less than comparable services in Europe or North America.

International departments in major cities offer English intake; see our long read “Do doctors speak English?” for how to verify.