5 Acupuncture Myths Debunked

February 06, 2026

A young woman getting an acupuncture treatment on her back

Acupuncture has become a popular therapy. Despite a growing body of clinical evidence suggesting that it can help manage anxiety, pain, nausea and other symptoms, many myths about acupuncture persist. Jacob Wolf, ND, a naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist at University Hospitals Connor Whole Health, shares five of the most common myths about acupuncture and what patients need to know.

What Is Acupuncture?

A traditional Chinese medicine practice, acupuncture uses thin, bendable needles to balance the flow of energy in the body. The needles are inserted in areas that interact with nerves, muscles and connective tissue. Acupuncture is frequently used on its own and alongside conventional medical treatments for a wide range of conditions.

“Acupuncture works on a number of different levels,” says Dr. Wolf. “We know that locally, near where the needle is placed, the body responds by increasing blood flow and releasing local hormones and chemicals.” Acupuncture also works systemically, he says. “It affects various functions in the brain that turn on and off signals related to pain and other symptoms.”

Myth 1: Acupuncture is painful.

The biggest myth seems to be that the needles hurt, but Dr. Wolf assures patients that acupuncture doesn’t normally cause pain. “I typically joke and say, ‘We are not the dentist!’”

The needles are different from the ones made for injections or taking blood. “Acupuncture needles are solid, flexible and extremely thin,” says Dr. Wolf. “They’re designed more to push tissue to the side rather than cut through it like an injection.” They’re only about as thick as a piece of hair.

Dr. Wolf says that some people may feel a brief sensation when an acupuncture needle goes into their skin, but the feeling typically fades within a few seconds. A stronger sensation can occur if a muscle is activated, like with a trigger point. “But that also tends to fade quickly,” he says. If it ever feels uncomfortable, an acupuncturist can adjust the needle or remove it. “For people who are very nervous, we can also use different needle types, including some that are only fractions of a millimeter long that are kept in place with stickers.”

Myth #2: Acupuncture only works because people believe it will.

Because studies have had mixed findings on the efficacy of acupuncture, many people dismiss any perceived benefits as a placebo effect (the effect of simply believing in the treatment). It’s challenging to study the effects of acupuncture because creating a true control group is difficult. “In conventional medical studies using prescription medications, one group gets the drug and another group gets a placebo pill,” says Dr. Wolf.

In high-quality scientific studies, neither group knows which pill they’re getting (the person administering the pills doesn’t know either). With an acupuncture study, researchers can use “sham” acupuncture devices, but often the patients and providers can tell, he says. “Some studies try to get around this by needling ‘non-acupuncture’ points, but it’s still possible to get a treatment effect just by inserting a needle, even if it’s in the wrong location.”

Despite these challenges, Dr. Wolf says there are a number of high-quality studies that show that acupuncture is more effective than a placebo. “Strong research supports using acupuncture to help manage conditions like low back pain, migraines, headaches, knee arthritis, and nausea and vomiting after surgery or with chemotherapy.”

Myth #3: Acupuncture is only effective for pain.

Many acupuncture studies have focused on its use for acute and chronic pain, says Dr. Wolf. “The bulk of the research is on low back pain,” he says. The American College of Physicians has been recommending acupuncture as a first line therapy for acute, sub-acute and chronic low back pain since 2017, based on evidence that it’s an effective non-invasive treatment. “But there is also evidence that it can help relieve neck pain, osteoarthritis of the knee and hip, tension headaches and even post-surgical pain,” says Dr. Wolf.

Myth #4: Acupuncture isn’t safe.

“Acupuncture is, overall, a very safe therapy,” says Dr. Wolf. “It’s safe to perform with most health conditions and medications.”

Working with a well-trained and experienced provider will help ensure you have a safe experience. Dr. Wolf explains that to perform acupuncture in Ohio, practitioners need to complete a master’s course in acupuncture, become certified by the National Certification Board for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM) and become licensed by the state.

“Acupuncturists must also take and pass a Clean Needle Technique course and exam,” he says. “This course is unique to acupuncture and trains providers in the safe handling and disposal of acupuncture supplies.” He adds that all acupuncture needles are sterile and single-use only.

But not everyone is an ideal candidate for acupuncture. While patients who are on blood thinners can get acupuncture without any significant added risk, it’s not considered safe to perform acupuncture on patients with extremely low platelets or a low neutrophil count, says Dr. Wolf. “These are primarily seen in the oncology world.” Additionally, he says, “acupuncture is not performed in open wounds or on compromised skin, but it could potentially be done in other locations of the body that are not affected.”

It’s also essential to tell your practitioner if you have a pacemaker or if you’re pregnant, since acupuncture with electrical pulses may interfere with pacemaker devices and certain acupuncture points may increase the risk of early labor.

Myth #5: Acupuncture is expensive.

People often assume acupuncture treatments are expensive, but Dr. Wolf says costs are usually moderate. Certain health insurance or HSA/FSA plans also cover treatment or may cover it with restrictions. “Coverage is highly dependent on an individual’s plan,” he says. For example, some plans like Medicare only cover acupuncture for chronic low back pain.

For self-paying patients, a first acupuncture session is likely to cost between $100 to $200 or more, though it can be as low as $15. Follow-up visits are typically cheaper. One 2019 study cited an average of $60 to $80 for follow-ups.

If cost is a concern, group sessions at community-based clinics can also help keep costs low, and may charge on a sliding scale. “Group acupuncture is equally as effective as private acupuncture and allows more patients to access treatment,” says Dr. Wolf. Most patients begin seeing benefits that last for more than a few days after about four to six sessions, he says. “Once a patient sees lasting benefits, their acupuncturist will work with them to spread out treatments, if possible.”