Acupuncture in China | VivianToChina

Acupuncture in China's Medical System

Acupuncture is part of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) system in China and is typically performed at:

Public hospitals
TCM hospitals
Registered clinics

⚠️ Note: Not all places offering needle treatment have the same level of clinical oversight. Some wellness venues may lack proper medical qualifications.

Main Acupuncture Types

Type	Chinese	Description	Applications
Body Acupuncture	体针	Fine needles at body acupoints	Common conditions, functional issues, pain
Electro-Acupuncture	电针	Needles with mild electrical current	Pain management, musculoskeletal rehab
Scalp Acupuncture	头针	Needles at scalp areas	Neurology, stroke recovery, motor issues
Ear Acupuncture	耳针/耳穴	Ear points with needles or seed pressure	Adjunct therapy for pain, sleep, stress
Warm Acupuncture	温针灸	Needling + moxibustion heat	Cold syndromes, joint stiffness, chronic pain

First Visit Process

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Consultation

Chief complaint, onset time, treatment history, medications

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Tongue Observation

Tongue diagnosis

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Pulse Diagnosis

Pulse taking

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Treatment Plan

Determine treatment goals

Things to Confirm Before Booking

Facility qualification: Confirm licensed medical institution
Booking content: Consultation + treatment or separate
Language support: English available, prepare Chinese symptom summary
Treatment goals: Expected outcomes, recommended sessions
Medical history: Current medications, pregnancy, clotting issues, pacemaker
Cost & receipts: Ask about fāpiào and itemized list

Practical Tips

Acupuncture needles are very thin, much less painful than injection needles
Wear loose, comfortable clothing for easy access to arms, legs, shoulders, back, scalp
You may feel relaxed or slightly fatigued after treatment - avoid scheduling tight activities after first session
Acupuncture is typically done in courses; regular treatment helps judge effectiveness
It's recommended to bring existing imaging reports, lab results, diagnosis certificates, and medication lists