“When is acupuncture not recommended? ”
I know acupuncture helps a variety of conditions with treatment. But are there conditions where acupuncture is not recommended?
26 Answers
Never
Acupuncture is not recommended for pregnant women or people with infirmity because it can be dangerous.
Acupuncture is very safe and powerful and can help with almost all problems, but there are some exceptions. The most important thing is in an emergency situation that the patient needs urgent care and doing acupuncture may delay taking proper treatment. An example is abdominal pain from appendicitis, which needs urgent surgery. Another example is cancer. Acupuncture can help the patient be stronger and bring up the patient's vitality to fight cancer, or acupuncture can help with the side effects of chemotherapy like nausea, vomiting, or pain, but cannot substitute as a cure or treatment for cancer.
There are some issues when acupuncture is not recommended. But, it is better said when specific points are not recommended. Example, we would not use points on a pregnant mom that can cause contractions if she is to early in pregnacy. If person is depleted from injury, sickness,s or age to some extream, it is important not to over drain some points. So it is not a no acupuncture policy, it is more a no points on specific cases policy.
Acupuncture can treat everything!
Pregnancy.
It depends on the condition, basically acupuncture is not contraindicated at all, but there are certain points that are contraindicated in certain conditions...
especially in the first trimester of pregnancy.
especially in the first trimester of pregnancy.
It really depends what style of acupuncture tech the practitioner practices. I practice Chinese, Korean, and Japanese style, so I even see people with miscarriage risk. Most cases, they are generally avoiding strong stimulation.
Of course. I'm definitely not suggesting treatment of appendicitis with acupuncture. Just as any medicine, acupuncture also has its limitations and good practitioners are aware of that.
Acupuncture is safe for everyone. Young, old or pregnant. That being said, there are a few instances in which I would decline to take on case.
Usually because the number and frequency of treatments needed would not be cost-effective when compared to other options available to the patient, or I have no expection of resolving or improving the condition.
First, we don't treat cancer. Acupuncture is not a cure for cancer. We do however, use acupuncture to reduce the side effects of cancer therapies such as chemo or radiation, improve appetite, increase energy, boost the immune system, etc. In a nutshell...I would not recommend acupuncture to treat cancer, but I would recommend it to support the patient during cancer treatment.
If a frail and weak patient came in and wanted treatment for a chronic illness, I may not take the case because it might be too draining for them. I won't take a case unless I have a reasonable expectation of restoring function or improving quality of life. If it's going to take me 20-30 sessions multiple times per week to provide a small measure of improvement, I would not recommend acupuncture. Though if I thought I could significantly improve their condition in 20-30 treatments, I would likely accept them as a patient.
I also do not recommend acupuncture for smoking cessation in those who do not wish to quit and are only coming because family, work or a doctor has pressured them into quitting. Stopping the cravings is the easy part, changing the habits that have formed over many years requires willpower homework. It's not the cravings that are difficult to overcome...it's the emotional attachment to nicotine. I would not recommend acupuncture for addition in those who are not ready to quit and seeking a little extra support.
Usually because the number and frequency of treatments needed would not be cost-effective when compared to other options available to the patient, or I have no expection of resolving or improving the condition.
First, we don't treat cancer. Acupuncture is not a cure for cancer. We do however, use acupuncture to reduce the side effects of cancer therapies such as chemo or radiation, improve appetite, increase energy, boost the immune system, etc. In a nutshell...I would not recommend acupuncture to treat cancer, but I would recommend it to support the patient during cancer treatment.
If a frail and weak patient came in and wanted treatment for a chronic illness, I may not take the case because it might be too draining for them. I won't take a case unless I have a reasonable expectation of restoring function or improving quality of life. If it's going to take me 20-30 sessions multiple times per week to provide a small measure of improvement, I would not recommend acupuncture. Though if I thought I could significantly improve their condition in 20-30 treatments, I would likely accept them as a patient.
I also do not recommend acupuncture for smoking cessation in those who do not wish to quit and are only coming because family, work or a doctor has pressured them into quitting. Stopping the cravings is the easy part, changing the habits that have formed over many years requires willpower homework. It's not the cravings that are difficult to overcome...it's the emotional attachment to nicotine. I would not recommend acupuncture for addition in those who are not ready to quit and seeking a little extra support.
Acupuncture is generally safe. Just be cautious with the following conditions: acute stroke, poor skin condition or open wound, patients with epilepsy or seizure, hemophilia, or other clotting disorders.
The World Health Organisation Guidelines on Basic Training and Safety in Acupuncture state that, "it is difficult to stipulate absolute contraindications for this form of therapy" However, they suggest that for reasons of safety, it should be avoided in pregnancy, medical and surgical emergencies,
They also added "malignant tumors and bleeding disorders; the use of acupuncture with patients who have uncontrolled movements;
the needling of an edematous limb at risk of lymphedma;
areas of spinal instability where as the result relaxation of the surrounding muscles could potentially give rise to spinal cord compression. These are reasons that have been recommended, but what I always tell new patients is to come in and at your first appointment we will discuss whether acupuncture is appropriate for you.
They also added "malignant tumors and bleeding disorders; the use of acupuncture with patients who have uncontrolled movements;
the needling of an edematous limb at risk of lymphedma;
areas of spinal instability where as the result relaxation of the surrounding muscles could potentially give rise to spinal cord compression. These are reasons that have been recommended, but what I always tell new patients is to come in and at your first appointment we will discuss whether acupuncture is appropriate for you.
Great question! Acupuncture can be an issue in hemophiliacs. But instead of using needles, different modalities can be used, such as magnets, gua sha, or acupressure to name a few. Certain points are contraindicated in pregnancy, but a licensed acupuncturist (not an MD who learned acupuncture, but didn't get a license, or a PT who practices dry needling) will know what to avoid. Otherwise, I know of no other conditions in which acupuncture is not warranted. It can help build up the immune system in cancer patients, it has been used in lieu of anesthesia and so on.
If you are in an emergency situation (broken bones, severe bleeding, etc), please do not come to me first, as I will call an ambulance and have you escorted to the emergency room for your safety. But, anything and everything else, acupuncture is becoming more and more sought after do to the gentle nature: cancer, diabetes, athletes, skin care, pregnant, children, osteoarthritis, etc. all inclusive for great candidates for acupuncture.
Hi There,
Always consult your physician for any condition before seeking other type of treatments. Having said that, just like every profession, there is a specialize and there is a limit. In TCM, no acupuncturist should perform surgery. Not all acupuncturist specializes the same thing. When you go see an acupuncturist ask she/he what he/she specializes in. Just like your regular physician, acupuncturists can only do their best to help. Patients and physicians work together to help ease the conditions.
Always consult your physician for any condition before seeking other type of treatments. Having said that, just like every profession, there is a specialize and there is a limit. In TCM, no acupuncturist should perform surgery. Not all acupuncturist specializes the same thing. When you go see an acupuncturist ask she/he what he/she specializes in. Just like your regular physician, acupuncturists can only do their best to help. Patients and physicians work together to help ease the conditions.
When talking to new patients about what all acupuncture can be used to treat, I tell them that about the only things I wouldn't treat would be if someone is having a heart attack or their appendix is bursting or they have an untreated compound fracture. I know there are a few acupuncturists who COULD treat those things, I'm just not one of them. So other than those life-threatening internal issues, I can't think of anything for which I wouldn't recommend acupuncture.
Acupuncture can help everything - but there are points that cannot be used in certain situations.
*Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat Disorders*
- Sinusitis
- Sore Throat
- Hay Fever
- Earache
- Nerve Deafness
- Ringing in the Ears
- Dizziness
- Poor Eyesight
*Circulatory Disorders*
- High Blood Pressure
- Angina Pectoris
- Arteriosclerosis
- Anemia
*Gastrointestinal Disorders*
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Spastic colon
- Colitis
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Food Allergies
- Ulcers
- Gastritis
- Abdominal Bloating
- Hemorrhoids
*Gynecological/Genitourinary Disorders*
- Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
- Irregular, Heavy or Painful Menstruation
- Endometriosis
- Menopause
- Fibroids
- Chronic Bladder Infection
- Complications in Pregnancy
- Morning Sickness
- Kidney Stones
- Impotence
- Infertility in Men and Women
- Sexual Dysfunction
*Immune Disorders*
- Candida
- Chronic Fatigue
- HIV and AIDS
- Epstein Barr Virus
- Allergies
- Lupus
- MS
- Hepatitis
*Addiction*
- Smoking Cessation
- Drugs
- Alcohol
*Emotional and Psychological Disorders*
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Stress
*Musculoskeletal and Neurological Disorders*
- Arthritis
- Neuralgia
- Sciatica
- Back Pain
- Bursitis
- Tendonitis
- Stiff Neck
- Bell's Palsy
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Headaches and Migraines
- Stroke
- Cerebral Palsy
- Polio
- Sprains
- Muscle Spasms
- Shingles
*Respiratory Disorders*
- Asthma
- Emphysema
- Bronchitis
- Colds and Flus
*Acupuncture Also Treats*
- Chemotherapy/Radiation Side Effects
- Diabetes
- Dermatological Disorders
- Weight Control
Susan Friedrich
*Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat Disorders*
- Sinusitis
- Sore Throat
- Hay Fever
- Earache
- Nerve Deafness
- Ringing in the Ears
- Dizziness
- Poor Eyesight
*Circulatory Disorders*
- High Blood Pressure
- Angina Pectoris
- Arteriosclerosis
- Anemia
*Gastrointestinal Disorders*
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Spastic colon
- Colitis
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Food Allergies
- Ulcers
- Gastritis
- Abdominal Bloating
- Hemorrhoids
*Gynecological/Genitourinary Disorders*
- Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
- Irregular, Heavy or Painful Menstruation
- Endometriosis
- Menopause
- Fibroids
- Chronic Bladder Infection
- Complications in Pregnancy
- Morning Sickness
- Kidney Stones
- Impotence
- Infertility in Men and Women
- Sexual Dysfunction
*Immune Disorders*
- Candida
- Chronic Fatigue
- HIV and AIDS
- Epstein Barr Virus
- Allergies
- Lupus
- MS
- Hepatitis
*Addiction*
- Smoking Cessation
- Drugs
- Alcohol
*Emotional and Psychological Disorders*
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Stress
*Musculoskeletal and Neurological Disorders*
- Arthritis
- Neuralgia
- Sciatica
- Back Pain
- Bursitis
- Tendonitis
- Stiff Neck
- Bell's Palsy
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Headaches and Migraines
- Stroke
- Cerebral Palsy
- Polio
- Sprains
- Muscle Spasms
- Shingles
*Respiratory Disorders*
- Asthma
- Emphysema
- Bronchitis
- Colds and Flus
*Acupuncture Also Treats*
- Chemotherapy/Radiation Side Effects
- Diabetes
- Dermatological Disorders
- Weight Control
Susan Friedrich
Thank you for your question.
Your question is a very broad one, the best response is a very general one and regards needle placement. Needles should never be placed in an open wound or broken skin, or skin that is injured or infected in any way. This is to protect against infection and blood born diseases. Otherwise, acupuncture is case by case and your physician should be aware of and able to discuss the use of acupuncture with you and the acupuncturist freely. Healthcare works best with a team that communicates and integrates your care.
Your question is a very broad one, the best response is a very general one and regards needle placement. Needles should never be placed in an open wound or broken skin, or skin that is injured or infected in any way. This is to protect against infection and blood born diseases. Otherwise, acupuncture is case by case and your physician should be aware of and able to discuss the use of acupuncture with you and the acupuncturist freely. Healthcare works best with a team that communicates and integrates your care.
Acupuncture is not recommended in any emergency conditions (a life and death situation) such as appendicitis or to treat cancer.
Alexandre Hillairet, DAOM.
Alexandre Hillairet, DAOM.
Acupuncture shouldn’t be received be someone with a pacemaker or seizure disorder. It is not recommended to receive acupuncture if a person is intoxicated (drugs or alcohol). Also, avoid with a skin disorder, skin infection or bleeding problems from a condition such as hemophilia or on blood thinners.
Although there are great acupoints that can be needled in pregnancy, there are several points contraindicated in pregnancy.
In being a part of holistic medicine and healing for as long as I have, I’ve seen where everything and everyone has their limits. This is why it’s important to strive to treat each patient to their individual needs and not as a textbook.
Any bleeding disorder.
Because acupuncture enables the body to function optimally, there really aren't conditions that it can't help, however there are conditions that may need more extensive treatment. We often work hand-in-hand with doctors, nurses and physical therapists to give the patient what they need to heal quickly and completely.
Hello dear,
Acupuncture is generally not recommended for patients pregnant in the first trimester due to high numbers of failed carriages in general. Although we have successfully treated patients with nausea and vomiting with light acupuncture in the first trimester. There are certain contraindication points we are trained to avoid. Another example of when acupuncture is not recommended for use is with children under a certain age unless you are specifically trained in pediatrics field. There are many more instances when acupuncture is not recommended, such as patients with extreme sensitivity - usually very, very thin patients who are afraid of needles - less muscle and fat makes it more sensitive. Or patients who have an inability to relax - needle retention is not possible - in this case, either acupressure or quick needling techniques may be more helpful. One more example may be if the patient has cancerous cells ex: oedematous limb at the risk of lymphodema. Usually, acupuncture is very safe; however, every patient should be evaluated before treatment.
Thank you,
Acupuncture is generally not recommended for patients pregnant in the first trimester due to high numbers of failed carriages in general. Although we have successfully treated patients with nausea and vomiting with light acupuncture in the first trimester. There are certain contraindication points we are trained to avoid. Another example of when acupuncture is not recommended for use is with children under a certain age unless you are specifically trained in pediatrics field. There are many more instances when acupuncture is not recommended, such as patients with extreme sensitivity - usually very, very thin patients who are afraid of needles - less muscle and fat makes it more sensitive. Or patients who have an inability to relax - needle retention is not possible - in this case, either acupressure or quick needling techniques may be more helpful. One more example may be if the patient has cancerous cells ex: oedematous limb at the risk of lymphodema. Usually, acupuncture is very safe; however, every patient should be evaluated before treatment.
Thank you,
Acupuncture can always be an adjunct to other treatments or a stand alone treatment for pretty much anything. There are times when other modalities MUST take first precedence, i.e. someone breaks an arm - first one would need to administer first-aid, then (or soon) one would potentially need surgery to reset the bone. Acupuncture can help just before the surgery i.e. reduce swelling relieve pain, regulate bp, etc. Also, acupuncture would be useful just after the surgery - to reduce post-surgical pain, to reduce swellings, to initiate proper blood flow and increase rate of healing, etc.
Acupuncture itself isn't useful if the break needs repair, but it is useful in incidents surrounding surgery itself. Keep this idea as you think about any and all other health conditions. If it cannot help directly, it can help indirectly.
Now, for things we do not NEEDLE. We do not needle into open wounds, we do not needle pregnant women directly over the uterus as the baby develops (i.e. no lower back points or abdominal points surrounding growing fetus/embryo. We have certain points we do not needle while a woman is pregnant, but those same points are quite useful when the mother needs to initiate or help foster or induce labor (help the baby get pushed out - help reduce pain during labor, etc).
We also do not needle into infections, lesions, infected skin areas (covered in staph, etc) and what not. However, acupuncture can help to relieve the causes of such things and/or give relief to such things (increase immunity, relieve pain, etc.).
So, to hopefully answer your question properly - there is nothing that acupuncture cannot help/assist, but there is really no condition that it is not recommended (at least not by those who know it's full potential and proper usage). There is, however, things we do not needle when treating conditions.
Can you see the difference here? I hope I answered your question.
Acupuncture itself isn't useful if the break needs repair, but it is useful in incidents surrounding surgery itself. Keep this idea as you think about any and all other health conditions. If it cannot help directly, it can help indirectly.
Now, for things we do not NEEDLE. We do not needle into open wounds, we do not needle pregnant women directly over the uterus as the baby develops (i.e. no lower back points or abdominal points surrounding growing fetus/embryo. We have certain points we do not needle while a woman is pregnant, but those same points are quite useful when the mother needs to initiate or help foster or induce labor (help the baby get pushed out - help reduce pain during labor, etc).
We also do not needle into infections, lesions, infected skin areas (covered in staph, etc) and what not. However, acupuncture can help to relieve the causes of such things and/or give relief to such things (increase immunity, relieve pain, etc.).
So, to hopefully answer your question properly - there is nothing that acupuncture cannot help/assist, but there is really no condition that it is not recommended (at least not by those who know it's full potential and proper usage). There is, however, things we do not needle when treating conditions.
Can you see the difference here? I hope I answered your question.
Great question, I've been getting this one a lot recently in personal conversations. There are, in my opinion, 4 times when acupuncture is not a suitable treatment:
1. A patient has a life-threatening, acute infection - either bacterial or viral. In this case they are far better served with antibiotics/hospitalization.
2. A patient has experienced severe, life-threatening trauma - like a car accident or gunshot wound. Conventional medicine excels at the preservation of life in the face of catastrophic damage.
3. A patient has cancer. Chinese medicine can help a person in this condition better tolerate chemotherapy, but it's unlikely that Chinese medicine alone is going to resolve the issue.
4. A patient has joint pain whose cause is severe degradation of the joint itself. In this case, essentially, the joint has degraded to the point that every provider a person consults is telling them they need to consider joint replacement/fusion. In this case acupuncture can help to manage the pain, but it's unlikely to restore the joint to proper function.
Acupuncture's great, and under-utilized in my opinion, strength lies in the fact that it integrates very well with conventional treatments. There are usually no substances involved, the needles are solid (we aren't injecting anything) so there's very little concern of creating an adverse event via interaction with pharmaceuticals.
Even though Chinese medicine isn't a good choice for dealing with the 4 issues I've described above, it can play a role in after-care in all cases.
1. A patient has a life-threatening, acute infection - either bacterial or viral. In this case they are far better served with antibiotics/hospitalization.
2. A patient has experienced severe, life-threatening trauma - like a car accident or gunshot wound. Conventional medicine excels at the preservation of life in the face of catastrophic damage.
3. A patient has cancer. Chinese medicine can help a person in this condition better tolerate chemotherapy, but it's unlikely that Chinese medicine alone is going to resolve the issue.
4. A patient has joint pain whose cause is severe degradation of the joint itself. In this case, essentially, the joint has degraded to the point that every provider a person consults is telling them they need to consider joint replacement/fusion. In this case acupuncture can help to manage the pain, but it's unlikely to restore the joint to proper function.
Acupuncture's great, and under-utilized in my opinion, strength lies in the fact that it integrates very well with conventional treatments. There are usually no substances involved, the needles are solid (we aren't injecting anything) so there's very little concern of creating an adverse event via interaction with pharmaceuticals.
Even though Chinese medicine isn't a good choice for dealing with the 4 issues I've described above, it can play a role in after-care in all cases.
