Yeah, you’ve heard of it. Acupuncture. That ancient Chinese thing with needles (read on about the pain aspect...). It’s been around for at least 2,500 years, treating everything from headaches to digestive issues to whatever weird back pain you woke up with after a long night at Found 158.

And here’s the thing: It actually works. Plenty of expats in Shanghai swear by it.

Out of all the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatments, acupuncture is probably the most expat-approved. The process? Tiny, sterile needles get inserted into precise points along your body’s meridians – those invisible highways where your vital energy, or qi, flows. The idea is that if qi gets blocked or out of whack, you get sick. Acupuncture is there to sort it out.

“Acupuncture doesn’t just balance yin (cold energy) and yang (hot energy), but also han (coldness) and re (heat), xu (deficiency) and shi (excess),” explains Dr Ding Bangyou from the acupuncture department of Shanghai Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine. “Before we start, we do a full check-up – pulse reading, tongue coating, even facial color – to understand the patient’s overall health and pinpoint the right meridians to treat the imbalance of qi and blood.”

So yeah. Needles in your skin. But if it means less stress, better sleep, and maybe finally fixing that shoulder from your gym days, why not?

First things first... does it HURT?

So, does acupuncture hurt? Short answer: Not really. Long answer: Well, it depends on what you consider “pain.”

First of all, these aren’t the massive, scary syringes from your last traumatic hospital visit. Acupuncture needles are super thin – like, barely-there thin. When they go in, you might feel a tiny pinch or literally nothing at all. Some people describe a weird tingly, warm, or heavy sensation once the needles are in place, which means it’s working. That’s the good stuff.

Now, if you’re getting needles in sensitive spots – like your hands, feet, or, God help you, your face – you might notice a bit more of a zing. But even then, it’s more “huh, that’s interesting” than “wow, get this thing out of me.”

Afterward, you might feel a little sore, like you did some deep stretching or had an intense nap. It fades fast, though. Most people leave feeling like a Zen master who just unlocked a new level of relaxation.

So, no – acupuncture isn’t a pain-fest. It’s kinda nice. Try it, and if you hate it, well, at least you’ll have a cool story about getting stuck with needles in the name of wellness.

Types of Acupuncture

Acupuncture isn’t just about sticking needles in random places and hoping for the best. It’s precise. Strategic. Different techniques target different issues, with specific points across the body getting the VIP treatment – ears, scalp, face, hands, wrists, ankles, back, shoulders, knees… basically, anywhere that needs a tune-up.

Not all needles are created equal, either. They come in different lengths, tailored for different conditions, different body parts, and even different ages.

And if the thought of needles makes your skin crawl? There’s qin zhen – a 2mm micro-needle embedded into a tiny plaster that sticks to the acupoint. It’s a solid option for the needle-phobic, providing 24 to 48 hours of steady stimulation without the whole “needle-going-into-your-skin” part.

Beyond the classic dry needling, acupuncture has some wild but effective variations:

Electroacupuncture — Like regular acupuncture, but supercharged. The needles are wired up to a low-level electric current for an extra boost.

Moxibustion — A fiery upgrade where herbs are burned close to the acupoints, adding heat to the mix.

Cupping — Those weird circular bruises on people’s backs? That’s cupping. A heated glass cup is placed on tight muscles, creating suction, boosting blood flow, and releasing tension.

Basically, acupuncture is more than just a bunch of needles. It’s an entire toolkit of treatments that can help keep your qi (and your body) in check.

What happens when a needle goes into your skin?

Besides a brief “oh” moment, a whole lot, actually.

The nervous system perks up. Chemicals flood your muscles, spinal cord, and brain – some dull pain, others trigger feel-good hormones like endorphins. It’s like flipping a switch in your body, telling it to calm down, stop hurting, and start healing.

The effects?

Less inflammation. Less pain. More relaxation. More of that post-massage, melted-butter feeling. Acupuncture doesn’t just stick needles in you – it coaxes your body into sorting itself out.

Effects of acupuncture

What can acupuncture fix?

Turns out, quite a lot. It’s not just for the yoga moms and the spiritually inclined – acupuncture has real, measurable effects on all kinds of conditions.

1. Chronic pain?

Arthritis, fibromyalgia, frozen shoulder, bad knees, wrecked lower back, wrists that feel like they belong to a 90-year-old– acupuncture’s got you. It’s like a natural painkiller that doesn’t mess with your liver, and it even helps joints function better. Cancer pain? Also on the list.

2. Anxiety, depression, insomnia?

Needles in your skin might sound like the opposite of calming, but acupuncture dials down stress and boosts neurotransmitters that improve mood. It can also knock out insomnia. Some patients even end up reducing their medication dosage with their doctor’s guidance.

3. Stomach a mess?

IBS and other gastrointestinal issues can be managed with acupuncture. It soothes inflammation and helps regulate digestion – because nobody likes spending half their day in the bathroom.

4. Women’s health?

Are hormones running riot? Acupuncture helps with irregular periods, PMS, menopause symptoms, and even infertility by keeping things balanced.

5. Breathing problems?

Asthma sufferers, take note: Acupuncture can help relax bronchial muscles, reduce inflammation, and improve airflow.

6. Chronic disease, rehab & weight loss?

Acupuncture plays well with other treatments, boosting their effects. When it comes to weight loss, it’s not a magic bullet – but it does help by regulating metabolism, improving digestion, and controlling appetite. Combine that with a solid diet, exercise, and (if needed) proper meds, and you might just see real results.

Bottom line? Acupuncture isn’t just needles for the sake of needles – it’s got the receipts.

International patients

“We get a lot of expat patients coming in for acupuncture,” says Ding from Yueyang Hospital. “Most of them have never tried it before, so naturally, they’re a bit nervous. Some even faint during their first session.” (Which, let’s be honest, is not the best way to start a wellness journey.)

That’s why the hospital takes it slow with first-timers – gentle techniques, and plenty of reassurance. Funnily enough, most people feel a noticeable difference after just one session.

This hospital is at the forefront of all things TCM, and they’re pushing TCM beyond China’s borders, with international partnerships like the China-Mauritius Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine. Turns out, that traditional medicine is getting a pretty warm welcome overseas, too.

Shanghai Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine has ranked No. 1 in the nation’s integrated TCM and Western medicine hospitals for years.

Its acupuncture department runs mornings and afternoons from Monday to Saturday and Sunday afternoon at its headquarters on 110 Ganhe Road in Hongkou District and VIP branch on 44 Qinghai Road in Jing’an District. Bilingual services are available at both sites.