Trypanophobia. Most people have never heard of it? I hadn’t either until doing my Acupuncture course for the first time.
It doesn’t quite steal the headlines like other phobias. Arachnophobia (the fear of spiders) had an entire film made about it. Agoraphobia (the fear of open or crowded spaces) and Claustrophobia (the fear of small spaces) both also seem to take a lot of limelight too.
If you hadn’t guessed it, Trypanophobia is the fear of needles and unsurprisingly it affects as many as 10 percent of people worldwide. So much so that up to 20 percent avoid medical treatment as a result. I find that last stat quite hard to believe! 20 percent of people avoid doing something that will make them better…?
So, I am going to set the record straight about Acupuncture needles – or at least try to – as I often get asked ‘Does Acupuncture hurt?’. If done by a trained specialist, like me, no.
Acupuncture needles are not like most needles. They are designed to be so thin that when they go in, they don’t cause any sensation at all. Not what you expect from a needle!
At the thickness of just a couple of strands of hair, they are designed to be able to pierce the skin with next to no pain. Some experience a dull ache around the base of the inserted needle, or a slight tingling feeling when the needle is inserted, but actual ‘pain’ should not be experienced.
Another common question is ‘will I bleed once the needle is inserted?’. Again, as the needles are so fine, rarely is any bleeding caused. If a small capillary is punctured – and capillaries are everywhere – it may cause a tiny spot of blood. Similarly, slight bruising may occur, particularly in those who blood vessels are fragile.
What I can assure you of though, and like many of my clients now know; once that initial anxiety is out of the way, you’ll reap the benefits and will want to come back for more.
If you’re still nervous, or unsure, check out some of the testimonials on my website, jodiewilsontcm.co.uk, and feel free to ask should you have an concerns. My Acupuncture treatments start from just £35 for an hour session, so why not give it a go?
