I've looked at lots of sites on the web and there doesn't seem to be much information on exactly how safe acupuncture is and what the harmful side effects of it are, can anyone point me to a good website or give me some info? Are there any permanent side effects?
2007-01-06 21:46:11 · 13 answers · asked by gettingfitisfun 1 in Health ➔ Alternative Medicine
Amazingly acupuncture seems to be treated in some areas of western medicine as a ghost, a sort of non existent entity. In Britain it's classed as alternative or complimentary where as in China for hundreds and hundreds of years it was seen as the primary treatment along with herbs for most ailments. Lately though, there has been a growing number of studies validating many aspects of the effects of acupuncture on patients. The main issue involved in this appears to be the wests inability to fit the chinese health theories into a western mind frame. And unfortunately this attitude of "if it doesn't fit it can't be right" has delayed many people from gaining the benefits that acupuncture can provide. hopefully as more of these studies become known then the western medical approach can really begin to utilise acupuncture in patient treatment and wrench itself free from the aristotlean thinking of good, bad, yes, no and open up to a more (W)holistic approach to healing based on the best of western and eastern thinking. Side effects of acupuncture may include such things as smiling, feeling good and general happiness. There was one reported death due to acupuncture which occured when a patient had a needle inserted near the base of the sternum. Unfortunately they had a very rare condition that caused a hole to develop in the sternum and the needle went through and pierced a lung. The condition was unknown to the patient and the acupuncturist. Acupuncture can be painful, but then so can be many western medical interventions. Pain or lack of serves as no value to measure a treatment by. Effectiveness does. Acupuncture has been used for centuries and appears to be growing in usage in the west. Contact the British Acupuncture Council for more information. Or google them for the web page.
2007-01-07 03:41:20 · answer #1 · answered by thescouseanator 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can't imagine acupuncture not being safe. The needles used are so thin. I've had a couple of sessions and it didn't work for me but maybe I was trying to use it for the wrong thing. I was left with a bit of bruising after one session - but totally painless.
The only time acupuncture may not be safe is if someone has an allergy to the needles. This is VERY RARE but did happen to my daughter. She had acupuncture for a knee complaint and a week after the session the needle marks were still there and were painful. Her acupuncturist said he'd personally never seen a reaction like that before and advised her never to have acupuncture again. Trust her to be different.
2007-01-07 01:38:35 · answer #2 · answered by hypoprune 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is completely safe if you have a properly trained practitioner. Try to find people in your area who have tried it and can recommend somebody. There is a good documentary called Alternative Medicine - The Evidence: Acupuncture. You can probably find it somewhere on the internet. Good luck!
2007-01-06 21:49:46 · answer #3 · answered by GenshiYagyu 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Acupuncture is quite safe as far as the procedure is concerned but as a physician living in China, I do not attest to its effectiveness...some patients claim great results....others are disappointed. There seems to be no side-effects and there is no pain. In China, we believe in many things but are they really effective? I suggest trying it...it does no harm. A newer method is by electric stimulation and I must confess that it was remarkable in relieving headaches.
2007-01-06 21:57:28 · answer #4 · answered by Frank 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is very safe: Have had acupuncture on numerous occasions and aside from one or two minor irritations on the skin where the needles are inserted...no other side effects.
Try here for info: http://www.acupuncture.org.uk/
2007-01-06 21:49:08 · answer #5 · answered by jamand 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Acupuncture is safe and harmless as long as it is carried out by a qualified practitioner. There are no side effects.
2007-01-07 20:03:53 · answer #6 · answered by LillyB 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very safe. I have had it many times with good results and no side effects. Just make sure that you are comfortable with the practitioner and the cleanliness of office and supplies and you should be fine.
2007-01-07 02:44:29 · answer #7 · answered by icebabe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i had acupuncture done it was really good and help me alot.
i dont no how safe i had it done on the NHS and i had 8 sessions and i was fine some people feel a little dissy and odd after but it goes away quite quickly
2007-01-08 09:07:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to a registered practitioner and you will have no problem. I do think however that you do need to have faith in this form a medicine for it to work effectively.
2007-01-06 21:56:15 · answer #9 · answered by ANF 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my GP is all for acupuncture, he recommended it for my back and i can tell you its worked wonders here.
go and visit a local acupuncturist who will alleviate all your fears and answer all the questions you may have
good luck x
2007-01-06 21:48:30 · answer #10 · answered by madmoo0 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋