Whilst I would be reluctant to guarantee this in every instance, I find it gratifying when I treat someone who has already had acupuncture, and who previously found it helpful but rather uncomfortable, when they report how painless they find the experience in my treatment room. Often I find that these same people subsequently send their partner, their mother or even their grandchild to see me because of their discovery that acupuncture doesn't have to hurt to be effective.

The sad fact about acupuncture in the west is that, whilst it is popularly regarded as being amongst the most effective of complementary therapies, it is often avoided, simply because of one thing - those dreaded needles!