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[S439]Side Effects Of Acupuncture

by Karina Jacobsen, Kar

But first of all, let's define what acupuncture is. Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine which has been practiced for centuries in China and has spread around the globe in modern times. It is widely practiced in many countries including the United States. Acupuncture involves piercing the skin with needles along the energy meridians of the body in an attempt to heal illness or treat addictions.

Now let's look at some of the minor side effects which may occur. These are harmless and should clear up on their own without further treatment and include bruising, bleeding after removal of the needle, and psychological effects which might cause dizziness and fainting. These side effects are similar to what one would experience with a shot or having blood work drawn.

We will now examine the rare but serious side effects of Acupuncture.

Infection

Since the needles pierce the skin, there is the potential for introducing bacteria into the bloodstream and causing an infection at the puncture site or elsewhere in the body. An important consideration is the sterilization process of the needles to be used so that the chance of the needles being contaminated is reduced. Also improperly sterilized needles can transmit AIDS/HIV as well as other deadly diseases such as hepatitis and encephalopathy (mad cow disease.)

Nerve damage

Nerve damage can occur as a result of a nerve being pierced or nicked when inserting the Acupuncture needle.

Organ punctures

Inserting the needle deep into the lung can cause a pneumothorax to develop which means air will escape out of the lung and be trapped there causing the lung to collapse. The same potential exists for the other vital organs of the body. There is the chance a kidney or the protective sac around the heart could be punctured. There is also a risk of stroke induced by Acupuncture if the needle is inserted improperly at the base of the skull.

Luckily, acupuncturists are highly trained to avoid the above harmful consequences of acupuncture and indeed they are quite rare. To reduce your risks make sure you go to a licensed qualified practitioner and ask about their procedures for sterilizing needles.

Acupuncture is an ancient form of Chinese medicine that has been practiced for thousands of years. Commonly used to treat bodily pains, acupuncture actually has a wide range of uses that range from addictions, to injuries, to disease prevention. If you are thinking about trying acupuncture, the following will give you a better idea of its many benefits.

Pain
Acupuncture is most commonly known to treat bodily pains such as muscular pains and arthritis. There are many types of arthritis, and each have a different acupuncture procedure. However, the healing effects may vary from person to person. Acupuncture for arthritis usually takes several sessions and takes a lot of cooperation your therapist for best results.

Other pain related ailments that can be cured by acupuncture are severe headaches and migraines, acute backaches, shoulder and neck aches, leg pains, trapped nerves, muscle related injuries, after surgery, carpal tunnel syndrome, sports injuries, menstrual pains, tooth aches, abdominal pains, and rheumatic pains.

Depression
Acupuncture is widely recommended for symptoms of depression and anxiety such as irritability, insomnia, loss of appetite, loss of interest in social activity and suicidal tendencies. Acupuncture is thought to relieve stress and improve flow of energy that may be causing the depressive symptoms. Improvement in symptoms can be seen as early as the first session. Experts have found acupuncture to be a beneficial complement to other forms of depression therapy such as psychological counseling, and healthier than chemical alternatives such as anti-depressants.

Insomnia
Acupuncture has become a popular alternative to common remedies such as sleeping pills. It works at the nerve levels, relaxing and soothing your senses. Acupuncture is thought to be a safer route for insomnia because it brings back your natural sleeping cycle through natural means and not through chemicals, which can turn into an addiction. Using acupuncture for insomnia usually starts working after the very first session. The treatment is usually stretched out for a period of time, until your body returns to its natural sleeping cycle.

Infertility
Studies show that acupuncture is a beneficial form of complementary therapy for women who are having undergoing treatments for fertility problem. Acupuncture is believed to relieve the anxiety of women undergoing fertility treatment. Also, acupuncture's success in aiding fertility is more pronounced in in-vitro fertilization. In addition, the rate of miscarriages has been found to be lower for women who do acupuncture.

Others
The following are other ailments that acupuncture has been known to remedy:

? Menopausal problems such as hot flushes, infertility, and premenstrual tension.

? Bladder or bowel problems, difficulty or pain in urination, and urinary infections.

? Digestive disorders including nausea, indigestion, heartburn, and diarrhea.

? Respiratory problems such as rhinitis, hay fever, prickly heat, rashes and ulcers, eczema, and some types of dermatitis and psoriasis.

? Conditions of the eyes and mouth such as cataracts, dry eyes, conjunctivitis, retinitis and toothache, and post extraction pains.

? Heat problems such as poor circulation, stroke recovery, and hypertension.

? Addictions such as smoking, drinking, or other harder drugs.

If you as suffering from any of the ailments mentioned above, acupuncture may just be the remedy for you. Acupuncture is harmless, and is known to promote health and a sense of well-being. It is a healthy, chemical-free alternative to traditional forms of medical treatment.

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About Author

Both Karina Jacobsen & Aubrey Walker are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Karina Jacobsen has sinced written about articles on various topics from Health, Acupuncture Chiropractor and Fitness. Karina Jacobsen is a staff writer at and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including. Karina Jacobsen's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.

Aubrey Walker has sinced written about articles on various topics from Tax Software, Acupuncture Chiropractor and Hawaii Vacation. For more useful information and great advice visit my site: Acupuncture.Would you like to be paid EVERY TIME someone visits your website or blog? Pay Per PlayAudio Ads -Get paid on 100% of your website traffic. Aubrey Walker's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.