Painless Acupuncture℠ is a specific service provided by our licensed acupuncture physician, Akemi Meeks Borjas. The service was invented by Ms. Borjas in an effort to educate the public and dispel misunderstanding. In Chinese, the word for “acupuncture” is a non-threatening, household word. Unfortunately, there is no good translation in English.

At the Gainesville Wellness Center, we use the term Painless Acupuncture℠ because our acupuncturists can insert a needle so skillfully that you feel no more than a slight pinch at the site of insertion. Many Americans falsely believe that acupuncture is painful and uncomfortable. Acupuncture feels nothing like the insertion of hypodermic (hollow) needles. In fact, acupuncture needles are hair thin, flexible, and sterile.  Most needles barely penetrate the skin’s surface, and many patients hardly notice when they are inserted.

What To Expect

After insertion, your acupuncturist may gently manipulate the needle in order to summon healing energy to that particular acupuncture point. As a result, you may feel what is known as a ‘Qi sensation’, which may include: tingling, itching, a feeling of fullness, or a slight dull ache. These sensations are desirable and normal.

Some individuals are more sensitive than others, and those who are very stressed and ‘on edge’ may have stronger sensations. Communicating with your acupuncture physician is very important, and they will modify treatment based on how you feel.

The location of acupuncture points vary greatly, and have nothing to do with where your area of complaint is. This is because acupuncture uses the body’s innate energy systems to treat your condition, and to treat the underlying cause of the health imbalance.