The Most Common Questions About Acupuncture - Answered by a Santa Monica Acupuncturist
- Stella de Stefanis
- Nov 29
- 4 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
If you’re curious about acupuncture but still have questions, you’re not alone. As a licensed acupuncturist in Santa Monica, I hear the same handful of questions every week-from those completely new to acupuncture to people who’ve tried it many times but want a deeper understanding.
This guide is here to help you feel informed, comfortable, and confident before your first treatment. Acupuncture is both ancient and modern, gentle yet profoundly effective, and every session at Acupunctury is personalized to your unique body and goals.
1. How does acupuncture actually work?
From a Western medical perspective, acupuncture stimulates the nervous system, increases circulation, reduces inflammation, and encourages the release of neurotransmitters like endorphins and serotonin. These changes help regulate pain, stress, digestion, sleep, immunity, and more.
From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) lens, acupuncture moves Qi (your body’s functional energy) through pathways called meridians. When Qi flows smoothly, your body can heal, digest, and rest more easily.
Both perspectives share the same idea: acupuncture helps create balance so your body can function the way it’s meant to.
2. Does acupuncture hurt?
Most people are surprised by how gentle acupuncture feels. Acupuncture needles are incredibly thin - about the width of a strand of hair. You may feel a light pressure, warmth, tingling, or a sense of heaviness when a point activates, but it shouldn’t feel sharp or painful. Many patients fall asleep on the table.
If at any point something feels uncomfortable, I adjust immediately. Treatments should feel relaxing, grounding, and supportive.
3. What can acupuncture help with?
Acupuncture is used for both symptom relief and long-term regulation of the body’s systems. Some of the most common reasons people visit Acupunctury include:
Cosmetic goals (lifting, brightening, supporting collagen)
Acupuncture is also an excellent tool for preventive care - helping you stay balanced before symptoms appear. Every treatment plan includes lifestyle and nutritional guidance to help you feel your best in between sessions.
4. How many acupuncture sessions do I need?
This depends on what you're coming in for. A general guideline:
Acute issues (like a recent injury or sudden stress flare):
1–2 sessions per week for 2–6 weeks, then tapering as symptoms improve.
Chronic conditions (digestive issues, hormonal imbalance, chronic pain, long-term stress):
Weekly sessions for several weeks, then spread out to every 2–4 weeks.
Skin + cosmetic goals:
8–12 treatments spaced weekly, then monthly maintenance.
The goal is always the same: create momentum, support deeper healing, and maintain your results long-term.
5. What should I expect during my first visit?
Your initial appointment at Acupunctury is 90 minutes so we can take our time. Here's what happens:
We sit down and talk about your concerns, health history, goals, and lifestyle.
I perform a TCM assessment (pulse, tongue, palpation).
You receive a full acupuncture treatment - often with supportive therapies like fire cupping, gua sha, or medical-grade Celluma LED light therapy if beneficial.
I share a personalized treatment plan, lifestyle guidance, and nutrition recommendations rooted in both TCM and modern evidence.
Patients often leave feeling lighter, calmer, and more grounded.
6. Is acupuncture safe?
Yes. When performed by a licensed, board-certified acupuncturist, acupuncture is exceptionally safe.I use sterile, single-use, medical-grade needles and follow Clean Needle Technique and CCAHM standards.
Acupuncture is gentle enough for teens, adults, older adults, and many pregnant patients. If you’re unsure whether it’s right for you, we can always talk through your questions first.
7. What should I do (and avoid) before my appointment?
To get the most out of your session:
Do:
Eat a light snack beforehand
Wear comfortable clothing
Hydrate
Arrive a few minutes early to unwind
Avoid:
Coming in on an empty stomach
Intense caffeine right before your session
Heavy exercise immediately after your treatment
Most importantly - come as you are. You don’t need to “prepare” to heal.
8. How quickly will I feel results from acupuncture?
Some people feel relief immediately after their first session - especially with stress, tension, or digestive discomfort. Others notice gradual improvements over the next few days as their nervous system regulates and circulation increases.
Consistency matters. Acupuncture is cumulative, and each treatment builds on the last.
9. Can acupuncture work alongside other treatments?
Absolutely.Acupuncture integrates well with:
Physical therapy
Chiropractic care
Talk therapy
Dermatology
Fertility treatment (IUI/IVF support)
Massage
Medical care for chronic conditions
It’s a supportive therapy that can enhance other treatments without interfering.
10. How do I know if acupuncture is right for me?
If you’re seeking a natural, holistic, and evidence-based way to support your physical, emotional, or skin health - acupuncture is a beautiful place to start.
You’re not expected to know everything before you walk in. My role is to guide you, answer every question, and create a treatment plan that feels supportive and doable for your lifestyle.
Ready to Begin Your Acupuncture Journey?
If you're in Santa Monica, Venice, or West Los Angeles, Acupunctury offers a warm, healing, safe space to support your well-being - inside and out.
You can book your first session online anytime, or start with a complimentary phone consultation if you’d like to talk through your questions first.
Your body already knows how to heal. Acupuncture simply helps create the conditions for that healing to unfold.
📞 Call/Text: (424) 252-1210
📧 Email: hello@acupuncturyla.com
🌐 Website: www.acupuncturyla.com
🌐 Direct Booking Link: Acupunctury via JaneApp
📱 Instagram: @acupunctury
📍 Address: 1150 Yale St, Suite 10, Santa Monica, CA 90403
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