Some people fear Acupuncture because they fear needles, or imagine Acupuncture to be painful. Acupuncture needles are very different from the needles used in Western health care, which are of a heavier gauge, hollow, and often serrated. Acupuncture needles are scarcely thicker than a hair, solid, and polished smooth. Insertion of these needles can be painless, though most people feel a slight sensation at the moment of insertion. Most people find that the health benefits far outweigh any discomfort that might accompany treatment. There are also needle-free techniques that can help people who fear needles or are particularly sensitive, such as Sonopuncture and Medical Qi Gong.
Usually people feel deep relaxation during an acupuncture treatment, and may fall asleep. Acupuncture needles are sterile, and packaged to be used only once. You cannot catch anything from a sterile needle!
Acupuncture can be used as preventive medicine, due to the subtlety of traditional Chinese medical diagnosis. An imbalance can be detected and treated before it advances to a serious illness, or even to a noticeable one. Small complaints can be treated as well as big ones. Problems that are too subtle to be detectable with Western medical tests can be treated with acupuncture. In Chinese medicine, there is no such thing as a psychosomatic illness, or one that is "all in your head!" If you have symptoms, an imbalance exists, and chances are it can be treated with Acupuncture.
If you are wondering if Acupuncture can help you or someone you know, please call an Acupuncturist in your area and ask them if they can help. Every Acupuncturist has different skills, different training, specialties, and interests. It is important to find someone you feel comfortable working with. Your local yellow pages should have a listing under "Acupuncture," depending on the laws in your state or region. I am not personally able to provide a referral service for you. You may be able to find a practitioner at the Good Health Directory.
If you are seeking Acupuncture Charts, books, videos, etc., please visit Qi Journal, or Redwing Books. Amazon.com also has a decent selection of books, with reviews.