“How long are acupuncture needles left in?”

Question

Acupuncturist Questions Acupuncturist

“How long are acupuncture needles left in?”

I am a 37 year old male. I want to know how long are acupuncture needles left in?

27 Answers

AcupuncturistAcupuncturist

What is the treatment for chronic fatigue?

Have a question aboutAcupuncturist?Ask a doctor now

**Phavikone Sundara** Acupuncturist Kent, WA · Accepted Answer

Phavikone Sundara Acupuncturist Kent, WA

Normally acupuncture needles are left in for at least 15 minutes, often longer. It depends on the condition being treated and the patient. It is up to the provider to assess and make this decision.

**Catherine Rahm Coudray** Acupuncturist Laramie, Wy · Accepted Answer

Catherine Rahm Coudray Acupuncturist Laramie, Wy

Usually 25 -30 minutes in my practice

**Tara Foster** Acupuncturist Arcata, CA · Accepted Answer

Tara Foster Acupuncturist Arcata, CA

Usually about 30 minutes

**Alyssa Risi** Acupuncturist Tinton Falls, New Jersey · Accepted Answer

Alyssa Risi Acupuncturist Tinton Falls, New Jersey

The length of time you are given to relax depends on the practitioner. On average, needles can be left in between 15 & 30 minutes. Some can even extend that toward 40 minutes. Again, it is dependent on the individual rendering treatment. If you are uncomfortable at any time, you should alert the practitioner.

**Elizabeth Perry** Acupuncturist Palm Beach Gardens, FL · Accepted Answer

Elizabeth Perry Acupuncturist Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Varies from 20 min to 1 hour.

**Long Vi Vuong** Acupuncturist San Diego, CA · Accepted Answer

Long Vi Vuong Acupuncturist San Diego, CA

Hello! They are left in for 20-30 minutes.

**Susan Elaine Friedrich** Acupuncturist Everett, WA · Accepted Answer

Susan Elaine Friedrich Acupuncturist Everett, WA

Usually 30-45 minutes.

**Majidreza Tabibzadeh** Acupuncturist TUSTIN, California · Accepted Answer

Majidreza Tabibzadeh Acupuncturist TUSTIN, California

At least 15 minutes but according to the problem it may be more

**Roxene Bates DOM LAc ADS** Acupuncturist Logan, UT · Accepted Answer

How long acupuncture needles are left inserted into acupuncture points on the body depends upon the type of acupuncture being practiced and the health problem being treated. For example, in Japanese acupuncture, the needles are inserted briefly, then removed. In Chinese acupuncture, the needles are left in for 20-30 minutes. A discussion with the Licensed Acupuncturist you are considering for treatment would further answer your question.

**Dr. Changhong Zhou** Acupuncturist Wellesley, MA · Accepted Answer

Dr. Changhong Zhou Acupuncturist Wellesley, MA

Usually 15-60 minutes depending on the conditions being treated.

**Sara Renee Florida** Acupuncturist Houston, TX · Accepted Answer

Sara Renee Florida Acupuncturist Houston, TX

Typically, needles are retained for 20-30 min to allow the body to receive the best results.

In health,

Sara Florida, L.Ac PhD

**David Chen** Acupuncturist Whittier, CA · Accepted Answer

David Chen Acupuncturist Whittier, CA

Good afternoon,

During the treatment acupuncture needles left in the patient's acupuncture point can be from 1 minute to 2 hours. Most commonly is 15 minutes, it all depends on the patient's chief complaint and the acupuncturist's diagnosis.

David

**Jessica Ra'chel Newman** Acupuncturist LONG BEACH, CA · Accepted Answer

Jessica Ra'chel Newman Acupuncturist LONG BEACH, CA

Great question. The minimum amount of time your needles should remain is 20 minutes, to allow the energy (Qi) to circulate.
For more:
newmansacupilates.wordpress.com

**Ms. Ellen D. Leonard** Acupuncturist Grants Pass, OR · Accepted Answer

Ms. Ellen D. Leonard Acupuncturist Grants Pass, OR

Every practitioner is different. The style I use leaves needles in the front of the body for 15 minutes, and then 10 minutes on the back. Some practitioners might leave them in one place for as long as 45 minutes.

**ryan bishop** Acupuncturist loxahatchee, fl · Accepted Answer

ryan bishop Acupuncturist loxahatchee, fl

It depends on the pattern we are treating. A session can be anywhere from a half hour to an hour or even longer depending on the modalities being used.

**Mrs. Qiong Wang** Acupuncturist Pittsburgh, PA · Accepted Answer

Mrs. Qiong Wang Acupuncturist Pittsburgh, PA

Patients will be on the table with the needles in for between 45-60 minutes.

**Dr. Rebecca Boros** Chiropractor BONITA SPRINGS, FL · Accepted Answer

Dr. Rebecca Boros Chiropractor BONITA SPRINGS, FL

The average treatment time is 20-30 minutes.

**Mr. Anthony James Lorenzo** Acupuncturist · Accepted Answer

Mr. Anthony James Lorenzo Acupuncturist

Depends on the practitioner, but usually between pulled right out, to 15-25 minutes, to 45 minutes for ears and some specific points (8 extraordinary vessels treatments).

**Daisy Dong** Acupuncturist Denver, CO · Accepted Answer

Daisy Dong Acupuncturist Denver, CO

From one minute to 60 minutes depending on the conditions and the providers.

**Natalie Ramsey** Acupuncturist Montclair, New Jersey · Accepted Answer

Natalie Ramsey Acupuncturist Montclair, New Jersey

Usually 20-30 minutes.

**Ramona Whan** Acupuncturist Wildomar, CA · Accepted Answer

Ramona Whan Acupuncturist Wildomar, CA

5 to 20 minutes.

**Yelena Kirillov** Acupuncturist Vancouver, WA · Accepted Answer

Yelena Kirillov Acupuncturist Vancouver, WA

Different points require different times according to what needs to be accomplished. Needles may be removed immediately after insertion or may be left in not exceeding 40 minutes. On average needles remain inserted for 20 -30 minutes

**Ms. Qin Milla Mu** Acupuncturist San Jose, CA · Accepted Answer

Ms. Qin Milla Mu Acupuncturist San Jose, CA

Usually for about 30 minutes.

**Rachel Lopez** Acupuncturist Rochelle Park, NJ · Accepted Answer

Rachel Lopez Acupuncturist Rochelle Park, NJ

Needle retention is usually somewhere between 15 - 25 minutes. Patient need and tolerance are always taken into consideration.

**Andrea Cillo** Acupuncturist Bay Shore, New York · Accepted Answer

That depends on the style of acupuncture you are receiving. Personally, I won't leave needles in for any longer than 20 minutes, but some acupuncturists may leave them in for 30 or more. Leaving the needles in for longer periods of time does not make for a more effective or longer lasting treatment, however. In fact, when needles are left in the body for longer than 20 minutes, the treatment can acually revert and it can leave the patient feeling extremely fatigued.

**Jeff Rippey** Acupuncturist Saint Joseph, MO · Accepted Answer

How long needles are retained is often dependent on what kind of practitioner you're seeing, what your chief complaint is and what Chinese syndrome diagnoses match your presentation.

For something like simple musculoskeletal pain due to trigger point(s) or motor point issues there might be minimal retention. Most of the times these problems can be resolved with a precise insertion and removal.

If you're going to a community style acupuncture session, 15-20 minutes is the norm.

For a private appointment, most folks use a 30'ish minute retention time.

**Dawn Marie Wafer** Acupuncturist BUELLTON, CA · Accepted Answer

Dawn Marie Wafer Acupuncturist BUELLTON, CA

Anywhere from seconds to 45 minutes depending on the reason fro treatment.

Health Categories

Conditions

Health Journeys

Communities

Resources

Media

Medical Experts

“How long are acupuncture needles left in?”

27 Answers

What is the treatment for chronic fatigue?

Patient Login

Oops! There was a login error

Doctor Login

Oops! There was a login error

Resources

27 Answers

More from FindATopDoc on Acupuncturist