Acupuncturist Questions Acupuncturist

Burning post acupuncture treatment?

I had a second treatment today for anxiety. He placed a needle in the outside left wrist. It made my fingers tingle and burn. I told him it felt weird and it died down after about 30 seconds. I have burning now at the left elbow. I called and told him. He said it would be okay and not to worry. He didn't seem concerned. Indicated it would subside? This is a very good practitioner who has treated thousands of people in China and the U.S.

Female | 47 years old
Complaint duration: 1 day
Medications: Chinese herbs for anxiety

20 Answers

It happens when the body and mind are finding balance all types of interesting things can occur
Chinese medicine for anxiety and depression is definitely a must
More than likely he probably came too close to your nerve or slightly even poking it. I wouldnt be worried however do request a different point for your next visit if your feel uncomfortable with that particular area being stimulated. Sensation should go down soon. no permanent damage.
There are many types of people living in the world.
Always pray to find a good doctor.
It can be brought back to normal with acupuncture.
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Yes, it should subside although it can take a bit of time. Sometimes there is some mild nerve irritation from the needle which sounds like the case. This can take a few days-weeks to subside depending on the severity, likely more on the day's side of things. Keep moving it and give it time.
No, I don’t believe that is cause for alarm, in the wrist especially there are so many tiny veins/nerves it is very easy to have the needle tap one or lean on it causing temporary discomfort. It should dissipate within 24 hours. If it does not then I would call him back and either have him take a look or go to your general practitioner. But it should go away on its own.
This practitioner is correct, the burning pain should subside after a little while. Certain points appear to be more sensitive during the needle's insertion. It is sometimes possible to feel some tingling or a quick jolt because those points are close to the nerves. It is only a sensation because if the needle's insertion was correct then there is no structural damage. I would like to recommend asking the practitioner to avoid needling that point next time and let it rest for a couple of weeks.

Alexandre Hillairet, DAOM.
Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
2660 E. Main street., Suite 202, Ventura, CA, 93003.
22048 Sherman Way, Suite 206, Canoga Park, CA, 91307.
(805)798-4018 or (818) 307-6326

During acupuncture treatment, you experience tingling and warm sensation is normal, and actually, it creates a better result. It should subside within a couple of days. No reason for you to be concerned. The burning sensation is usually caused by the alcohol disinfecting the skin. Not by acupuncture treatment. If you shall have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (562) 698-3008.
Hello,

Sometimes you may feel tingling and burning sensation on certain acupuncture points; however, the sensation should be dissipated within 30 seconds to one minute and half. If the tingling and burning sensation does not relief within that time frame, the doctor should remove the needle upon your request. The reason for this issue is that the skin area of the needle insertion's might be slightly thicker and might have touch a small nerve as the needle pass through. The burning sensation in the elbow is a separate issue, and it is best to speak to the practitioner about it.

Best regards,
Dr. Khounh
Not sure why it would cause a burning sensation. Perhaps the needling was deeper than usual.
I would also not be concerned. Acupuncture is super safe and can cause temporary uncomfortable feelings while the body corrects itself.
I am sure that he knows what he is talking about. If you are concerned then you could always see a different practitioner.
It increased your circulation.
The initial feeling is a good sign that treatment is working. The burning sensation may be acceptable for up to 48 hours. If it persists call your acupuncturist again.
Dr. Leila
I'm unclear as to what the question for me is here.
For this point on the side of the wrist, it is a very minuscule point, once which is between a tendon and a bone. It’s easy to feel nerve tension if the needle is just slightly close to it. If you felt burning and tingling, it was likely close to the nerve. In my practice, if the patient feels tingling or burning with this point, I will always readjust it. The sensation you're having the next day should go away. However, if it persists, it is important you let the practitioner know.
Sorry, I was busy not answer your question on time. It might be subside but there may also be sequelae. I don't consider it is a good treatment because he placed a needle in a wrong location, it's possible hit the nerve or somethin else but don't worry, worry won't make it better, wait a few days to see the consequence. You'll be okay, don't worry.
I don't quite understand. He punctured his left wrist, and you have a pain in your left elbow, right?
I can see a couple of possibilities for your case:

1. He might have gotten the needle a little close to a nerve. Without knowing where the burning sensation is in the elbow and which fingers were affected, I have no way to know, for sure, which nerve.

2. That needle may have caused a mild tightening of the myofascial system which then pinched a nerve in the elbow.

Most acupuncture points are located near nervous tissue. Part of the way acupuncture does what it does is through stimulation of this tissue and the effect that stimulation has on the brain and central nervous system. As acupuncturists, we want the needles to be close to the nerve tissue at the point so that mechanical deformation of the surrounding tissue by the needle affects the nerve. Sometimes the needle gets a little too close and the patient experiences burning or tingling that lasts a few days - sometimes up to a week.

Needles are also interacting with the myofascial system and can cause those tissues to tighten or relax. Most of the time relaxation is the goal but when odd needle sensations occur, for which patients haven't been properly prepared, sometimes we get the opposite effect. When those tissues tighten, patients can experience unusual sensations occurring distant from where the needles were placed.

In either case, I wouldn't expect the burning sensation to last more than a day or two. Rarely I've seen these types of issues last a week, but almost never longer than that. I'd suggest going online and looking up a few elbow and forearm stretches. Do those for a few days and see if the burning sensation goes away. If it doesn't, make sure your acupuncturist addresses the issue as part of the next treatment.

There are a variety of needle sensations acupuncturists consider normal. What you experienced while the needles were inserted is not out of the ordinary. What you're experiencing now, at the elbow, is also not out of the ordinary.