If you are considering acupuncture treatment, talk to your health care team. Acupuncture may not be recommended if you have low white blood cell counts (because of the risk of infection) or low platelet counts (because of the risk of bleeding).
You should tell your acupuncturist that you have cancer and inform him or her of the treatments you have received or are receiving and the medications you are taking.
Is acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is generally considered safe. When performed by a qualified person, the risk of side effects is low.
The use of sterile, disposable, single-use needles reduces the risk of infection or transmission of HIV or the hepatitis virus. The use of sterile needles is especially important for people receiving chemotherapy and radiation therapy, as these treatments can weaken their immune systems.
Not everyone feels the same during acupuncture treatment. Most people feel little or no pain when the needles are inserted into their skin or removed. You may feel pain, heat, tingling or numbness during an acupuncture session. In traditional Chinese medicine, this is called the “qi sensation”. Some people feel this sensation for a few minutes after the treatment, while others feel it for a longer period of time, sometimes even for several hours.
A small amount of blood may appear where the needle is inserted. This is more common in people who take blood thinners, such as aspirin. A small bruise may appear at a needle insertion site where there was bleeding, but the bruise goes away in a few days. Bruising may also occur after cupping due to suction on the skin.
Other side effects of acupuncture may include fatigue, dizziness, drowsiness and nausea. In very rare cases, people may experience nerve damage after acupuncture treatment or burns from moxibustion.
Acupuncture: minimal risks
Rest assured: acupuncture does not present any major risks. The side effects of this age-old traditional medicine are quite rare and not serious.
When the needles are inserted a little too deeply, some people may suffer from bruises, but these quickly disappear.
Sometimes, the pain felt by the person, and for which he/she comes to consult, may be stronger for one or two days, before diminishing or even disappearing completely.
Cases of dizziness or loss of consciousness have also been reported. A recent English study also showed that the most common problem was missing needles in the patient’s skin. This should not happen if you consult a trained professional.
In France, only doctors with a university degree in acupuncture can practice this medicine. It is also important to know that in certain cases (cancer for example), acupuncture cannot replace conventional medicine, it can simply be a useful complement.
Are the needles used in acupuncture safe?
Are you afraid that the small needles are dirty or infected? No danger! You should know that practitioners use new needles for each patient, and that these are discarded after each use.
To avoid any inconvenience, it is therefore recommended that you contact a qualified doctor who will follow these instructions to the letter, rather than the first quack who comes along!
After a session, do you notice small red spots on your skin, right where the needles were pricked?
