Is Acupuncture Safe?

The techniques of acupuncture have been in practice for almost 2000 years. It was first recorded in an ancient Chinese medical text "Huang Di Nei Jing". During the 6th century, many Chinese medicines and therapies including acupuncture was introduced in Japan. When Buddhism became popular, acupuncture became part of the religious medicine.

Acupuncture therapy was popular in Japan. In the 17th century, Waichi Sugiyama, a blind Japanese acupuncturist, developed an insertion method that was a painless way of treating various ailments. Acupuncture practitioners use this method worldwide today. In Japan, acupuncture therapy is an integral part of health care. Acupuncture could be used to treat various ailments such as fatigue, nausea, arthritis and digestive problems. However, is acupuncture therapy safe to use?

Before we dwell further into this subject, you need to know what is acupuncture. Acupuncture therapy has been in use for thousands of years in many Asian countries. "Acupoints" or specific points on the human body are stimulated using various techniques including insertion of hair-thin metal needles. This is known as acupuncture therapy. The idea behind acupuncture therapy is to remove any blockages in the blood stream and restore good health. The person who practices acupuncture is known as an acupuncturist.

Is Acupuncture Safe?

Yes, acupuncture therapy can be safe as long as you are consulting a qualified practitioner. Make sure, you visit a licensed acupuncturist. The reason is he would know the human anatomy clearly.

Acupuncture is safe as long as the instruments like hair-thin metal needles used are pre-sterilized and disposable (only for single use). If the practitioner is an ethical person he would be aware of the various infectious diseases and take proper precautions to ensure cleanliness. Hence, the acupuncturist can ensure a safe therapy to his patient.

You must be aware that when you are undergoing acupuncture therapy bleeding rarely occurs. However, in the treatment of certain diseases, bleeding is done on purpose and it is no way hazardous to health. The reason is only minimal amount of blood is bled. If your acupuncturist is skillful and knows what he is doing, then there is nothing to fear. If administered properly acupuncture therapy from a professional can be free of any side effects.

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

An acupuncture therapy becomes unsafe, if your therapist is not licensed or if he is not skillful at his task. The practitioners should use only disposable and pre-sterilized set of needles and cotton swabs for each patient. Else it could cause infections. If the acupuncture therapy is not done by a skillful professional it could have adverse effects on the patients such as infections or punctured organs.