Acupuncture Side Effects: Are there any?

Acupuncture treatment includes the insertion of very fine needles into specific points on the body in order to restore the normal functioning of the mind, body and emotions. Therefore, it is important to consider the side effects that can result.

Side effects can be a positive effect on the mind, body and emotions or it can be an adverse negative effect. Here, we'll consider the adverse effects or adverse reactions following the work performed by a registered acupuncturist.

Literature indicates that this type of treatment is as safe as, if not safer than, any routinely prescribed medication with respect of frequency and severity of adverse effects, if performed by a well-trained, qualified and experienced acupuncturist.

The British Medical Journal reports on The York acupuncture safety study, a prospective survey of 34,407 treatments performed by 574 traditional acupuncturists.

This study was conducted over a four week period in 2000 and found no serious adverse events reported after 34,407 treatments.

Tranmer, Moore, Reynolds and McQuay in their paper (Pain 2000; 85:169-82) "Quantitative estimation of rare adverse events, which follow a biological progression: a new model applied to chronic NSAID use" found that comparison of adverse event rate for acupuncture with those of drugs routinely prescribed in primary care suggests that acupuncture is a relatively safe form of treatment.

Acupuncturists introduce no foreign substances or compounds into your body’s system at all. It allows your body’s own internal systems to function more effectively; in other words, your body knows how to look after itself, but sometimes needs some assistance to overcome obstacles which have become very great. TCM doctors help your body to deal with those obstacles and proceed with its’ task of keeping you well.

Occasionally, and only in some people, a small bruise may appear but it clears up after a day or two.

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