Kraig: We went to university together purchase differin As with traditional acupuncture, a practitioner places needles on specific points on the body, says Steve Compton, assistant professor of acupuncture at Northwestern Health Sciences University. The needles are then attached (via wires with small metal clips) to a device that releases electric pulses. The intensity of the current can be adjusted to your comfort level—you may feel a mild tingling or pulsing, says Compton. A session lasts 20 to 30 minutes and, ideally, is repeated once or twice a week for 3 to 6 weeks, whether the treatment is for pain relief or weight management.