Does Acupuncture Have Any Side Effects?

Fainting upon insertion of the needles is the most common of acupuncture’s few side effects. If you have had such difficulty with shots or blood drawing, tell your practitioner to do a light treatment the first time.

Hepatitis B and other contagious diseases can be transmitted from needles that aren't sterilized properly. We use DISPOSABLE NEEDLES ONLY, which we discard after each treatment.

Stimulating certain acupuncture points, particularly those on the lower abdomen and low back, can trigger uterine contractions and could induce premature labor and possibly miscarriage. It is important to tell the acupuncturist if you are pregnant or think you may be. Using acupuncture to treat morning sickness or other illnesses during pregnancy should be undertaken with consultation between your obstetrician and your acupuncture practitioner.

People on anticoagulant drugs may bleed easily even when thin acupuncture needles are inserted. Tell your acupuncture practitioner what you are using.

Electrical stimulation of acupuncture needles could cause problems for people with pacemakers, as could magnets, which are sometimes used to stimulate acupoints. Make sure your practitioner knows that you are using pacemaker.