ACUPUNCTURE CONTRAINDICATIONS

Side effects

The most common side effects are:

If a non-sterilized needle is used on different patients, pathogens such as hepatitis B, C and the HI virus may be transmitted.

The formation of a bruise at the injection site.

According to scientific studies, permanent discoloration of the skin (argyrosis) can be the result if silver acupuncture needles are used for a long time.

With long dwell times of needles ("permanent needles"), regardless of the material, there can be increased inflammation.

Occasional drops of blood can escape.

Certain points or combinations of points can make the patient dizzy.

Short-term loss of consciousness can occur (very rarely, with improper choice of points or excessive stimulation).

Numbness

Organ injury, such as a pneumothorax (rare) from accidental injury to the lungs.

Siliconized acupuncture needles can cause granulomas by depositing tiny amounts of silicon in the skin.

About eight percent of patients treated with acupuncture were affected. According to proponents of acupuncture, pneumothorax should not be described as a side effect, but as a treatment error due to a lack of knowledge and improper needling.

You might also be interested in: Pain after acupuncture

Contraindications

There are different groups of people who some doctors advise against acupuncture treatment, for example:

People with skin diseases (eczema, hives, dermatitis, etc.) in the locally affected areas

People with certain nervous diseases and sensitivity disorders of the skin (for example polyneuropathies with limited pain perception in the locally affected areas)

People with certain severe mental disorders (for example schizophrenia, mania, delusion, but possible with depression, anxiety disorder)

Epileptics (because of the risk of an epileptic fit)

People with serious contagious diseases (such as tuberculosis)

People with certain types of tumors

People in poor general health (in such cases a doctor should be consulted)

Babies and young children

In areas of acute inflammation, bone fractures, recent injuries, acute sciatica

If an ointment, cream, tint or make-up, etc., has been applied to the skin, the acupuncture needle pricked at this point can bring small amounts of the applied agent under the skin and cause undesirable reactions.

People with low blood pressure or a tendency to collapse should lie down during acupuncture treatment and then rest for a while. Electro-acupuncture should not be used on epileptics because the electrical current could trigger seizures. This also applies to people with a pacemaker. Even if you have allergies to certain components of the needles, such as nickel, you should work with caution or use gold and silver needles.
It should be emphasized at this point, however, that the general risk of treatment with acupuncture is very low.