Safety
The safety of acupuncture is an important issue and when seeking treatment, you should ensure you visit a fully qualified and registered practitioner. Professional acupuncturists should be members of the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC). Members have undergone a minimum training of three years full time or equivalent, and are bound by comprehensive health and safety policy.
Physiotherapists practicing acupuncture should be registered with the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP), and doctors with the British Medical Acupuncture Society (BMAS).
There have been two major studies about the safety of acupuncture which explored adverse events reported by members of these organisations.
In the York acupuncture safety study (MacPherson et al 2001), 34,407 treatments by 574 acupuncturists, were reported on. There were no serious adverse events and just 43 minor ones. Similar results were found in a survey by White et al (2001), which was based on seventy-eight acupuncturists, all doctors or physiotherapists, and covered 31,822 consultations. They found no serious events and concluded:
'The risks of adverse events, both minor and major, following acupuncture, can be classified as minimal. Acupuncture seems, in skilled hands, one of the safer forms of medical intervention.'
Possible minor adverse events
- Bleeding or bruising - usually minimal and around the site of the needle.
- Needling pain - sometimes a point may feel painful, your acupuncturist will be able to reduce any pain or will remove a painful needle.
- Aggravation - occasionally treatment may cause an aggravation or worsening of symptoms. An aggravation lasting 24-36 hours is usually followed by a rapid improvement of the condition being treated. If it lasts for longer, your acupuncturist should adjust your treatment accordingly. Not everyone responds to acupuncture treatment.
- Faintness - may occur after a first treatment or if the treatment is too strong. It may also be because a patient is tired, hungry or under the influence of drugs. Your acupuncturist should be able to reassure you and ensure treatment is appropriate.
- Drowsiness after treatment - this can be quite common and many people experience this as a pleasant relaxed feeling. You should wait until you feel better before driving after your appointment.
- Stuck or bent needle - rare. Local massage to relax the muscle is usually sufficient to enable the needle to be removed.
- Headache - transient headache may be due to toxins being released and entering the system as a result of treatment. Drinking water is a good remedy for this.
- Sweating - may be a side effect of the stimulation of the nervous system, passes off quickly after treatment.
The risk of adverse events or side effects of acupuncture treatment is low, and patients can be confident provided they see a properly qualified practitioner. Any concerns patient do have, should be raised with their acupuncturist and should be dealt with immediately. If patients have further concerns, they can contact the acupuncturists professional society who will investigate on their behalf.
The York Acupuncture Safety Study (PDF)
References
MacPherson H, Thomas K, Walters S, Fitter M. The York Acupuncture Safety Study: Prospective survey of 34 000 treatments by traditional acupuncturists. BMJ Volume 323 1 September 2001
White A, Hayhoe S, Hart A, Ernst E, Volunteers from BMAS and AACP. Survey of Adverse Events Following Acupuncture (SAFA): A Prospective Study of 32,000 Consultations. ACUPUNCTURE IN MEDICINE 2001;19(2):84-92
