Q: I’ve had two acupuncture sessions recently, my first ever. I’ve found that the needles put in my toes are really painful and just wondered if this could be indicative of anything? I should add I’m 9 months pregnant.
A: At the risk of sounding facetious we would be quite surprised if needles in the toes didn't hurt. While the vast majority of points on the body (there are 365 main ones and dozens of recognised 'extra' points) do not cause much sensation when they are used, the ones near the toenails and at the base of the toe can fee disproportionately painful when they are needled. We say 'painful' but in many cases it isn't quite pain so much as a very intense feeling which seems altogether too much for what is a small needle.
However, if it really more than you can take at this stage of your pregnancy then your practitioner should be able to use other less painful points to achieve much the same effect, or use the tried and trusted ways of making treatment more benign - fewer needles, shallower insertion, less manipulation.
Hope all goes well with the birth!