Many Americans deal with some form of pain on a daily basis, whether it is from headaches, lower back pain, or pain related to conditions like cancer. Medications used to treat chronic pain usually have side effects like sedation which makes it difficult to function during the day. Also, these medications only mask the main, instead of addressing the root cause. It is for this reason that more people are turning to non-drug remedies for the treatment of chronic pain.

Acupuncture Has Many Health Benefits

One alternative to pain treatment that has grown in popularity and acceptance is acupuncture. This ancient Chinese medicine has been shown to be effective in controlling chronic back pain, fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, dental pain and pain from surgery. Much has been said about the benefits that acupuncture can offer in the treatment of these conditions, but one issue that is rarely addressed are the potential side effects of this procedure.

Acupuncture is based on the theory that pain occurs when the natural flow of energy, known as qi, is blocked. The goal of this treatment is to restore the flow of energy or qi so that the pain and discomfort can be eliminated. In order to do this, sterile needles are placed on the surface of the skin at specific points that will re-channel the flow of qi. Because the needles are so small, pain is usually not experienced. In fact, most patients going through acupuncture feel relaxed with some even falling asleep during the procedure.

Acupuncture Has Risk As Well

Although acupuncture is considered a low-risk procedure, there is always the risk of disease transmission if the needles were not properly sterilized. In fact, cases of hepatitis B and C have been transmitted through the use of non-sterile acupuncture needles. Anytime those needles are used to pierce the skin, there is also a risk of hematoma or bruising. Possible but less likely, there is a risk of nerve damage if the needles were not correctly placed.

Damage can also occur to specific organs like the lung, kidney or brain when deep needling is done in these areas. There have been rare cases of puncture lungs during an acupuncture treatment. More common side effects of acupuncture include anxiety, fatigue, fainting or light-headedness, nausea and headache. There are also come people that report a temporary worsening of their symptoms following the acupuncture treatment.

In order to avoid the adverse effects of acupuncture, make sure that you verify the credentials of the acupuncturist or the person performing the acupuncture session. There are licensed osteopaths and doctors who perform acupuncture that can be as qualified in treating the underlying condition. To look for a qualified practitioner, look up acupuncture organizations online.

Always Choose A Certified Acupuncturist

Before getting acupuncture to treat pain, ensure that the procedure has shown to be successful in treating your specific condition. It might be best that you get a second opinion before you proceed with the treatment, just to make sure that you are a good candidate and the procedure will actually do you good. Finally, make sure the acupuncturist uses sterile and disposable needs to reduce the risk of disease transmission.