​No one has ever died from acupuncture applied by a trained and licensed practitioner. Not a bad track record when you consider that the medicine is guesstimated to be nearly 5,000 years old. Needles generally cause no bleeding or pain, and the needles are used once and are then properly disposed of as biomedical waste. Among many other aspects, acupuncturists are trained in exact location, angle as well as depth of insertion of the acupuncture needle to avoid any injuries (see Education section).

What are the side effects of Acupuncture?

One of the great advantages of acupuncture is that, other than maybe a very rare tiny bruise with those that bruise easily, there are no side effects. I have heard patients tell me their energy increases and they sleep better many times after a treatment if you count that as a side effect? :)​

Does Acupuncture hurt?

This is the most commonly question asked about acupuncture because, understandably, many people associate needles with pain. Acupuncture needles are about the thickness of a dog’s whisker or thinner, so they are virtually painless when inserted. Acupuncture needles are very thin and solid. They are not designed to cut the skin, but to displace the skin and stimulate areas beneath the skin. Naturally, in Western culture we associate needles with the traditional hypodermic hollow needles used to draw blood or to inject medication. Acupuncture needles are a completely different tool entirely. After insertion, the practitioner will bring the needle to the appropriate depth. You will then usually feel a very unique sensation that can vary from tingling, to heaviness, to warmth, or nothing at all but most importantly, not pain. Each person’s experience is different. Should you experience any discomfort, inform the practitioner, and they will adjust the needles accordingly.

What are acupoints?

The acupoints are the areas along a meridian where the energy comes together and rises to the surface of the body. It can therefore be more easily accessed and redirected with the use of a needle. The are over 350 points regularly utilized in the traditional system, but this is just the beginning. There are multiple modalities of treatment encompassing their own points as well. In all, there are arguably thousands of points across the body, each one stimulated individually and in unison with others to treat the patient.