Is Acupuncture Safe?

The technique of acupuncture is being practiced in many Asian countries for over 2000 years. It was first recorded in an ancient Chinese medical text titled "Huang Di Nei Jing". During the 6th century, many Chinese medicines and therapies, including acupuncture, were introduced in Japan. When Buddhism became popular, it became a part of religious medicine.

In the 17th century, Waichi Sugiyama, a blind Japanese acupuncturist, developed an insertion method that provided a painless way of treating various ailments. In Japan, this therapy has become an integral part of health care, and is used to treat various ailments such as fatigue, nausea, arthritis, and digestive problems.

"Acupoints" or specific points of the human body are stimulated using various techniques including insertion of hair-thin, metallic needles. The idea behind this therapy is to remove any blockages in the bloodstream, and restore good health.

Make sure, you visit a licensed acupuncturist, since he would know the human anatomy clearly, as well as understand your medical condition accurately.

Acupuncture is safe as long as the instruments and needles used are pre-sterilized and disposable (for single use only). If the practitioner is an ethical person he would be aware of the various infectious diseases, and take proper precautions to ensure cleanliness and good hygiene.

You must be aware that when you are undergoing this therapy, bleeding rarely occurs. However, in the treatment of certain diseases, a minimal amount of bleeding is done on purpose, and it is no way hazardous to health. If your acupuncturist is skillful, and knows what he is doing, then there is nothing to fear.

People who have undergone acupuncture opine that it is safe, and helps to relax. They experience a sense of relaxation during, and after the therapy. They also state that, while being treated for a particular symptom, there are chances for other health problems to be resolved concurrently.

Some individuals may experience nausea and anxiety, owing to the fear of needle insertion into the body. In rare cases, individuals may experience redness and mild soreness at one or few sites of needle insertion.

Acupuncture therapy becomes unsafe, if your therapist is not licensed or if he is not skillful at his task. The practitioners should use only new, disposable, and pre-sterilized set of needles and cotton swabs for each patient. Carelessness on behalf of the person administering acupuncture can lead to infections and punctured organs.