Acupuncture: Key Phrases for Understanding Treatments

Thursday, June 19, 2025

Acupuncture is a fundamental practice within Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), often used to treat a variety of ailments by stimulating specific points on the body with thin needles. When visiting an acupuncture clinic in China, understanding key phrases can help you communicate effectively with your practitioner, ensuring you understand the treatment process and can express any concerns or questions. Below are essential phrases for different scenarios you might encounter during an acupuncture session.

Scene 1: Describing the Condition

Patient:


I have chronic back pain.

我有慢性背痛。

Wǒ yǒu mànxìng bèitòng.

Doctor:

How long have you had this pain?

这种疼痛持续多久了？

Zhè zhǒng téngtòng chíxù duōjiǔ le?

Patient:


It’s been several months.

已经好几个月了。

Yǐjīng hǎojǐ gè yuè le.

Scene 2: Understanding the Treatment Process

Patient:


How many sessions will I need?

我需要多少次治疗？

Wǒ xūyào duōshǎo cì zhìliáo?

Doctor:


It depends on your condition, but typically 5 to 10 sessions.

这取决于你的情况，但通常需要5到10次治疗。

Zhè qǔjué yú nǐ de qíngkuàng, dàn tōngcháng xūyào 5 dào 10 cì zhìliáo.

Patient:


How long will each session last?

每次治疗持续多长时间？

Měi cì zhìliáo chíxù duō cháng shíjiān?

Doctor:


Each session usually lasts about 30 to 60 minutes.

每次治疗通常持续30到60分钟。

Měi cì zhìliáo tōngcháng chíxù 30 dào 60 fēnzhōng.

Scene 3: Expressing Concerns During Treatment

Patient:


The needle feels uncomfortable here.

这里的针有点不舒服。

Zhèlǐ de zhēn yǒudiǎn bù shūfú.

Doctor:


That’s normal for some points, but let me adjust it for you.

某些穴位会有这种感觉，但我可以帮你调整一下。

Mǒuxiē xuéwèi huì yǒu zhè zhǒng gǎnjué, dàn wǒ kěyǐ bāng nǐ tiáozhěng yīxià.

Patient:


Is it normal to feel a tingling sensation?

感到刺痛是正常的吗？

Gǎndào cìtòng shì zhèngcháng de ma?

Doctor:


Yes, a slight tingling sensation is a common reaction.

是的，轻微的刺痛感是常见反应。

Shì de, qīngwēi de cìtòng gǎn shì chángjiàn fǎnyìng.

Scene 4: After the Treatment

Patient:


What should I do after the treatment?

治疗后我应该做什么？

Zhìliáo hòu wǒ yīnggāi zuò shénme?

Doctor:


Rest and avoid strenuous activities. Drink plenty of water.

休息，不要进行剧烈活动。多喝水。

Xiūxí, bùyào jìnxíng jùliè huódòng. Duō hē shuǐ.

Patient:


Are there any side effects I should be aware of?

我需要注意哪些副作用吗？

Wǒ xūyào zhùyì nǎxiē fùzuòyòng ma?

Doctor:


You might feel a bit tired or dizzy, but this usually passes quickly.

你可能会感到有些疲倦或头晕，但通常很快就会好转。

Nǐ kěnéng huì gǎndào yǒuxiē píjuàn huò tóuyūn, dàn tōngcháng hěn kuài jiù huì hǎozhuǎn.

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