What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the practice of penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles which are then activated through gentle and specific movements of the practitioner’s hands or with electrical stimulation. Acupuncture is part of the ancient practice of Traditional Chinese medicine.
Acupuncture is not for everyone. If you choose to see an acupuncturist, discuss it with your doctor first and find a practitioner who is licensed as having proper training and credentials.
Risks of Acupuncture
All therapies come with both risks and benefits. A person should always seek medical advice before undertaking any therapy.
Possible risks of acupuncture are the following:
- Bleeding, bruising, and soreness may occur at the insertion sites.
- Unsterilized needles may lead to infection.
- In rare cases, a needle may break and damage an internal organ.
Benefits of Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a common complementary Therapy that can help people manage many different conditions.
Benefits of acupuncture include the following:
- People can effectively combine acupuncture with other treatments.
- Effective acupuncture can help manage chronic painTrusted Source, migraine, and headaches.
- Acupuncture carries a low risk of side effects.
- It is a flexible form of treatment that can target numerous health concerns at once.
Uses of Acupuncture
- low back pain
- neck pain
- osteoarthritis (OA)
- knee pain
- headache