Unlike hypodermic needles, acupuncture needles are solid and hair-thin and not designed to cut the skin. They are also inserted to much more shallow levels than hypodermic needles, generally no more than a half-inch to an inch depending on the type of treatment being delivered, causing minimal pain for most people. Some feel relaxed, while others may experience a sensation of excitement. Acupuncture is a drug-free treatment with built-in safeguards, and when done correctly, it does not harm.