Research showing that if you feel the acupuncture needle going in you get more brain function on an EEG.

Looking closer at brain functioning

My teachers at TCM school always told us that you need to feel the needles when they go in to get the most out of a treatment. I have found the same in clinic. This study illustrates a possible mechanism behind this. Using an EEG they found significantly more brain activity when the person had a sensation on needle insertion. There is a lot of technical jargon in this study but I believe they also said that 1 type of brain wave was increased by needle retention. To be clear the sensation of needle insertion should fade in 30 seconds or so. We want people to relax and fall asleep if possible! But you do need to feel something when it goes in to get more effect.

Link to research