Reply #6: In general, if there are areas where the energy is

[Eloriel]

rather severely blocked, it can hurt -- with or without caffeine, tho I don't doubt what you're saying is probably true too.

BUT, for the most part (from my experience), these instances are few and far between. Most of the time, no pain at all.

I was amazed that my acupuncturist (when I was seeing one) could find just the right spot and insert that long thin needle without it causing pain. He said he could "feel" where the spot was, and even that it sort of pulled in the needle. IOW, it's an energetic thing.