My pain doc had suggested this so I spoke with the people who did it and asked my ?'s. I did not do it because I am so sensitive to touch. Anyhow they said they don't have to put the needles in the rsd areas. Also to me a lot was that it does not so much help the pain area but helps with anxiety,sleep,relaxation etc so that in turn helps your pain. Does that make sense? What I would suggest is talk to the person who does it and ask your ? and also ask how many people with RSD they work with.