Acupuncture is one of the better-known TCM modalities. At Shande TCM, suitability is considered after discussion and assessment. Needle locations, number of needles and session length can vary depending on the individual and the practitioner’s clinical judgement.

What to know before your visit

Eat a light meal beforehand unless advised otherwise.
Wear comfortable clothing that allows access to relevant areas.
Tell the practitioner if you take blood thinners, have a bleeding disorder, are pregnant or have a pacemaker or other implanted device.
Sterile single-use needles should be used and disposed of appropriately.

Care and suitability

TCM services are not one-size-fits-all. The practitioner may recommend a different approach, a combination of approaches, or conventional medical review depending on the information discussed and any safety concerns.

Urgent symptoms

For severe, sudden or rapidly worsening symptoms, chest pain, difficulty breathing, fainting, major bleeding, stroke-like symptoms or other emergencies, call 995 or seek urgent conventional medical care.

Understand more

Clearer explanations for better decisions.

What acupuncture is

Acupuncture uses very fine, sterile, single-use needles at selected points on the body. In TCM, point selection is based on the practitioner’s assessment rather than a one-size-fits-all chart. The experience varies: some people feel little, while others notice pressure, tingling, heaviness or a brief dull ache.

Before and during a session

Tell the practitioner about pregnancy, blood-thinning medicines, bleeding disorders, implanted devices, fainting history and relevant medical conditions. Arrive fed unless advised otherwise, avoid alcohol before treatment and speak up if any sensation feels sharp, intense or worrying.

Aftercare and sensible expectations

Some people feel relaxed or temporarily tired after acupuncture. Move slowly when getting up and follow individual instructions. Acupuncture should not be used to delay emergency assessment or to stop prescribed treatment without discussing it with the relevant healthcare professional.

Explore related services

Helpful readingAcupuncture: what to expect before, during and after →

Need the terminology or practical answers?

Use the glossary and common-questions page to understand what traditional terms mean, what they do not mean, and how TCM fits into Singapore healthcare.

TCM glossary Common questions