| Is acupuncture safe? When
properly administered, acupuncture is deemed a safe procedure
or therapy.
Are there any severe adverse effects experienced
with acupuncture?
While, there are not any reports of severe
adverse effects of acupuncture, there are a few side effects
associated with the therapy. The most prevalently reported side
events of acupuncture include: tenderness, bruising or bleeding
at the site of the needle.
Can acupuncture be used with other conventional
therapies?
Absolutely, acupuncture has been found to be
useful complementary therapy with other medical treatments;
however, it should be administered in accordance with a physicians
authorization.
Who is not best suited for acupuncture?
Patients who suffer from bleeding disorders
or are using blood thinners should not consider acupuncture
since one of the side effects is bleeding.
Are there any safety issues or risks associated
with acupuncture?
Generally speaking, acupuncture is not a risky
procedure; however, in rare situations, any of the following
may occur:
? The needle may break during insertion
? An internal organ maybe subject to injury
? An infectious disease may occur if the needles are reused
Nevertheless, the above risk and safety scenarios
are nil to nominal under the care of a licensed or certified
acupuncturist.
What are the certification requirements of
practicing acupuncturists in the United States?
In the United States, services are extended
by two various types of medical professionals: certified acupuncturists
and medical doctors. Approximately, 3,000 medical physicians
include acupuncture as a health menu of their practice. The
vast majority of states require between 200 and 300 hours of
acupuncture training.
The United States has roughly 11,000 certified
acupuncturists. While these acupuncture practitioners are not
licensed physicians, they are required to complete 2,000 to
3,000 hours of training. Additionally, prior to accreditation,
the acupuncturists must complete board examinations from the
National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental
Medicine (NCCAOM).
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