Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to improve health. It is used to treat conditions like back pain, arthritis, nausea, and depression. While acupuncture has benefits, there are also risks like infection, bleeding or organ puncture if not performed properly. It is performed by licensed acupuncturists or physicians with acupuncture training in settings like hospitals, chiropractic offices or medical clinics.

1. Comfort Taiwo, RN
Southwestern Oklahoma State University

2. What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the practice of inserting thin
needles into specific body points to improve
health and well-being. It originated in China
more than 2,000 years ago. In the United
States, more than 10000 practitioners has
delivered acupuncture therapy to more than
1 million people.
Acupuncture [NCCAM Health Information]. (2010, September 10). National Center for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine [NCCAM] - nccam.nih.gov Home Page.
Retrieved October 24, 2011, from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture

3. Acupuncture
Acupuncture manipulates life energy by stimulating
precisely mapped points on the skin surface. The point
overlie the channels is called meridians . Almost all
the organs in the body have their meridian and
acupuncture is used to detect any disharmony and
discomfort that might be there. Acupuncture is also
used to correct disturbances in flow of the meridian.
Edelman, M. (2010). Holistic Health Strategies. Health Promotion Throughout the Life Span (7th
ed., p. 344). St. Louis: Mosby.

4. Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been used to cure diseases and body
disturbances.
The therapy lasts about 30 to 90 minutes. The patient lie face
up, face down, or sideways.
The point at which the needle will be inserted is cleaned with
alcohol. New needles from sealed package are to be used to
prevent the transmission of diseases.
The needle point are stimulated by electrostimulation, by
lazer and by light stimulation to correct disturbance flow
Acupuncture [NCCAM Health Information]. (2010, September 10). National Center for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine [NCCAM] - nccam.nih.gov Home Page.
Retrieved October 24, 2011, from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture

5. Benefits
 According to National Center for Complementary and
Alternative Medicine (2010), acupuncture has been
proven to treat osteoarthritis, back pain, depression,
headache, chemotherapy induced nausea and
vomiting, fibromyalgia and so many diseases.
 It also decreases the use of analgesic and opioids
addiction.
 It balances the mind, the body, and the soul.
Jamil, T. (2003). Acupuncture. Pulse, 63(15), 52. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

6. Acupuncture: Disadvantages
 It can cause infection to the body if proper aseptic techniques is
not practice. Infections such as HIV, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B,
and endocarditis can be transmitted if care is not taken.
 If the patient has coagulation problem, the patient can easily
bleed to death and can have fluid and electrolyte imbalance if
the practitioner is not aware of the patient’s problem.
 Broken needles in the situ, basically improper insertion of
needles can cause the needle to break in the skin.
 Some patient can not tolerate the sight of needles and they can
develop adverse reaction to the therapy.
Jamil, T. (2003). Acupuncture. Pulse, 63(15), 52. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

7. Possible Health Risks
Health risk are extremely rare but the following can occur:
 Bruising
 Fainting
 Muscle Spasms
 Bleeding
 Nerve Damage
 Punctured Lung
 Accidental Injury to organs (Brain, Spinal Cord, Heart,
Liver, Spleen, Kidney)
Joswick, D. (n.d.). Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. Acufinder. Retrieved October 24,
2011, from https://www.acufinder.com/Acupuncture

8. Acupuncture: Contraindications
 It is contraindicated to needle the abdomen and
lumbosacral areas of pregnant women
 Avoid blood vessels to prevent bleeding
 Points on the chest and back should be carefully
needled to avoid injury to organs
Joswick, D. (n.d.). Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. Acufinder. Retrieved October 24,
2011, from https://www.acufinder.com/Acupuncture

9. Where the practice can occur?
Acupuncture can be perform at the
hospital, a chiropractic office and a
physician’s office. There are few
physicians that perform
acupuncture in Oklahoma State.

10. Who can provide the service?

The practice of acupuncture is within the scope of
a medical doctor without specific training
requirements or registration. They are considered
primary care physicians in many states.
 A chiropractor who practices acupuncture can
register with the board. The board accepts and
records certification from schools but does not
itself certify the practice of acupuncture
Joswick, D. (n.d.). Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. Acufinder. Retrieved October 24,
2011, from https://www.acufinder.com/Acupuncture

11. Conclusion
Acupuncture is a complementary alternative medicine, a
therapy that has been proved to be successful in
treating so many diseases both physical and
psychosocial health.
It has some side effects if it is not done by the expert
which is the medical doctor with acupuncture
techniques.
It can be done at the chiropractic office and physicians
office

12. References
Acupuncture [NCCAM Health Information]. (2010,
September 10). National Center for Complementary and
Alternative Medicine [NCCAM] - nccam.nih.gov Home
Page. Retrieved October 24, 2011, from
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/
Edelman, M. (2010). Holistic Health Strategies. Health
Promotion Throughout the Life Span (7th ed., p. 344). St.
Louis: Mosby.
Jamil, T. (2003). Acupuncture. Pulse, 63(15), 52. Retrieved
from EBSCOhost.
Joswick, D. (n.d.). Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.
Acufinder. Retrieved October 24, 2011, from
https://www.acufinder.com/Acupuncture