How many acupuncture needles?

I remember back to my first session of acupuncture.  I didn’t have a clue how many acupuncture needles my acupuncturist would use or whether they would hurt.  I was nervous then so I understand now that prospective patients can be nervous about their first session.  I generally use around 8 to 12 needles per session.  This might be more if someone has widespread pain.  The needles are very fine.  The sensation is that of a small pinch as the needle is inserted and then a slight achey, heavy or tingly feeling when it hits the acupuncture point.

Media portrayal of acupuncture.

I think part of the problem is the way acupuncture is represented by the media.  Clips of acupuncture on the news tend to show patients having dozens of needles put in them and this is understandably off-putting.  There is a great advert on tv at the moment showing acupuncture in a comedy situation.  After putting lots of acupuncture needles in her back the acupuncturist asks her to turnover so he can do her front!  Needless to say, this isn’t really how we do it!