Acupuncture needling - contraindications and potential adverse effects
Contraindications to acupuncture needling
· Pregnancy
· Pacemaker use
· Mechanical heart valve in place
· Coagulopathy (e.g. hemophilia, anticoagulants)
· Immunocompromised conditions (e.g. cancers, diabetic, HIV)
· Open or infected skin
Potential Adverse effects to acupuncture needling
· Tissue trauma: Bruising, bleeding
· Vasovagal effects: Nausea, syncope
· Broken needles
· Transient worsening of symptoms
· Infections
· Perforation of organs