• Ep. 24: Is acupuncture safe? Exploring the risks and side effects

  • Oct 13 2023
  • Length: 35 mins
  • Podcast

Ep. 24: Is acupuncture safe? Exploring the risks and side effects

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  • Summary

  • In recent weeks a news story has been making the rounds about a woman who suffered a double pneumothorax as a result of an acupuncture treatment. A pneumothorax is just a fancy way of saying a collapsed lung, and although it’s exceeding rare for acupuncture to cause one, it is a possible adverse event. So I thought this would be a good opportunity to talk about the risks, side effects, and safety record of acupuncture.Acupuncture is safe. Really, really safe. But like all forms of medicine, it is not entirely risk-free. So let’s talk about what those risks are, and how worried you should be about them.Episode highlights include:1. Potentially serious, yet extremely rare adverse events that may occur as a result of acupuncture, including pneumothorax, infection, damage to peripheral nerves and blood vessels, and organ damage. Learn about the many safeguards built in to the practice of acupuncture to minimize these risks, including training, testing, licensing, and the universal use of single-use, disposable needles.2. Less serious, slightly more frequent, but still pretty rare potential side effects, including bleeding, bruising, pain at the needle site, temporary worsening of symptoms, lightheadedness, and fainting. Learn why some of these shouldn’t even be considered side effects, and are more likely signs of a positive therapeutic response.3. A little perspective: the potential risks and side effects from acupuncture pale in comparison to other forms of medical care. It truly is one of the safest forms of medicine.4. Not only is acupuncture extremely low-risk, it often produces bonus side benefits such as better sleep, more energy, and a calmer, more relaxed mood.While no form of medicine is completely risk-free, acupuncture comes pretty close. It’s safe, it’s effective, and it might even surprise you with a few happy side benefits. So, now you know the risks…time to go get some acupuncture.Get in touch! Send me an email or a voicemailGet the latest updates! Check out my website, and follow me on Substack, Facebook and InstagramShow your support! Buy me a coffee or become a paid subscriber on SubstackLoved this episode? Leave a rating or a review!Check out this episode’s sponsor, Open ACU! Appointment scheduling and EHR software thoughtfully built for acupuncturists, by acupuncturists.Thanks to AudioCoffee for the music in this episode, and endless love and gratitude to my paid subscribers for contributing to the sustainability of my work!References:Unlicensed Acupuncturist Is Charged After a Patient’s Lungs CollapseAdverse Events of Acupuncture: A Systematic Review of Case ReportsIatrogenic Pneumothorax during Acupuncture: Case ReportSafety of Acupuncture: Results of a Prospective Observational Study with 229,230 Patients and Introduction of a Medical Information and Consent FormA Multicenter Prospective Survey of Adverse Events Associated with Acupuncture and Moxibustion in JapanIncidence of iatrogenic pneumothorax following acupuncture treatments in Taiwan This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notesfromyouracupuncturist.substack.com
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