The pain or nip of the initial puncture can be minimised or eradicated by using a guide tube to insert the needle. The pressure of the tube stretches out the pores of the skin so that the needle can slide in.
Must of the pain associated with hyperdermic needles is due to the cutting of the needles as they are much larger, due to them being hollow to allow the withdrawal of tissue or fluid, or for injecting a fluid. Whereas acupuncture needles are much finer & tend to pass between the fibres of the tissues, so usually little or no pain. But a dull ache is not unusual, especially if inserted into muscles that are excessively tight or in spasm. [&:]
Some traditional approaches use jabbing, thrusting and manipulation os the needles, which I imagine is painful, but these approaches are less common in the West. [
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For anxiety, then it would be more appropriate to see a Traditional Chinese Medical (TCM) acupuncturist, 5-Element or Japanese, rather than a western (dry needling) acupuncturist.
There's more info on the link below on the various types (sorry nothing on the Japanese type though) - http://fp.osteopath.plus.com/holistic-centre/serv/acupuncture1.htm
Andrew.
PS We'll probably move this thread to acupuncture Forum when it's sank down a page or two, should you return to find it has strayed. Also, don't forget there's a Search facility at the top of page to help find 'Subjects'.