Mind Body

Acupuncture: A Safe and Effective Medical Procedure

Is acupuncture safe? The answer is that yes, most definitely, it is a safe medical procedure, especially when we compare it to other so-called invasive medical procedures, acupuncture has a very strong track record when it comes to safety. Any adverse effects from acupuncture tend to be mild and very short lived, that could be something like a bruise at the site of the needle insertion, which usually isn't painful but it looks like a bruise. Or you may have some soreness post treatment, typically, it doesn't last more than 24 hours and then it just fades away. Other more serious side effects are extremely rare, very unlikely to happen but there have been instances of them something such as a nerve injury. The effects of that while uncomfortable are generally temporary and they will go away sometime within a few weeks, usually. So all in all, acupuncture is a very safe procedure and most people tolerate it quite well. This is what an acupuncture needle looks like. You can see how thin and flexible it is. Thanks.

Acupuncture is a safe medical procedure and any adverse effects are generally mild and short-lived. The most common side effects are minor bruises at the site of needle insertion or soreness post treatment, while more serious side effects are extremely rare.

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Acupuncture is indeed a safe medical procedure, especially when compared to other invasive procedures. It has a strong safety record. Adverse effects from acupuncture are typically mild and short-lived. These may include a bruise at the needle insertion site, which is usually painless but visible, or temporary soreness after treatment that lasts no more than 24 hours.

While more serious side effects are extremely rare, there have been rare instances of nerve injuries. Although uncomfortable, these effects are generally temporary and resolve within a few weeks.

Overall, acupuncture is considered a safe procedure, and most people tolerate it well. Acupuncture needles are thin and flexible, as shown in the image.

Can acupuncture be used to treat acute injuries?

Acupuncture: A Surprising Solution for Treating Acute Injuries

Can acupuncture be used to treat acute injuries? While acupuncture excels at treating chronic pain and chronic injuries, it most definitely can be used to treat acute injuries as well. What are some examples? One of my favorite examples, because it responds so well to acupuncture, is treating an acute ankle sprain. With acupuncture and some topical herbal remedies, we can see the swelling, bruising, and limited range of motion of an ankle sprain start to improve within a treatment or two. Other examples of injuries, other sprains, AC joint sprain, finger and thumb ligament sprains, muscle strains, hip flexor strain, hamstring strains, calf muscle strains, all respond really well to acupuncture. And that's because acupuncture is excellent at treating inflammation and muscle spasm, which is usually a part of those muscle strains, and helping improve circulation in the local area, which is going to help healing of the injury. Ligament injuries, biceps tendinopathy, Achilles tendinopathy, bursitis even respond well to acupuncture treatment. So for sure, acupuncture can be used to treat acute injuries.

Acupuncture can be used to treat acute injuries such as ankle sprains, AC joint sprains, muscle strains, hip flexor strain, hamstring strain, calf muscle strain, tendon injuries, biceps tendinopathy, Achilles tendinopathy, and Bursitis.

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Acupuncture is not only effective for chronic pain and injuries but can also be used to treat acute injuries. One example is an ankle sprain, which often shows remarkable improvement with acupuncture and topical herbal remedies. Swelling, bruising, and limited range of motion can start to improve within just a few treatments. Other acute injuries such as sprains, AC joint sprains, finger and thumb ligament sprains, muscle strains like hip flexor strain or hamstring strain, calf muscle strains, as well as ligament injuries, biceps tendinopathy, Achilles tendinopathy, and bursitis all respond well to acupuncture. This is because acupuncture is skilled at addressing inflammation, muscle spasms often associated with muscle strains, and enhancing local circulation to promote healing. In conclusion, acupuncture can indeed be used to treat acute injuries effectively.

What kinds of conditions can acupuncture treat?

Acupuncture: A Wide Array of Conditions it Treats

What kinds of conditions can acupuncture treat? Actually, a really wide array of medical conditions acupuncture can be helpful for. Many people know that acupuncture can be used to treat pain. I'm talking about all kinds of pain, whether it's musculoskeletal related, or whether it's chronic headaches, whether it's pain related to cancer or cancer treatments, acupuncture really excels at treating pain. But that's not all it does. It can be used for, as I said, a wide array of medical conditions such as gynecological issues, respiratory issues, digestive problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome or constipation or indigestion. Acupuncture can be used to treat neurological conditions, carpal tunnel syndrome, for example, stroke rehabilitation. Acupuncture also is excellent at helping with conditions such as stress and anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, even depression. I'm not saying acupuncture is going to cure all of these conditions necessarily, but it can be a great tool for helping people manage some of these conditions, especially when those conditions are chronic. Thank you.

Acupuncture can be used to treat a wide array of conditions such as pain, gynecological issues, respiratory issues, digestive problems, neurological conditions, carpal tunnel syndrome, stroke rehabilitation, stress and anxiety, insomnia, fatigue and depression.

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Acupuncture can treat a wide range of medical conditions. While it is commonly known for its effectiveness in treating pain, including musculoskeletal pain, chronic headaches, and pain related to cancer or cancer treatments, acupuncture can also address various other health issues.

It can be beneficial for gynecological problems, respiratory issues, and digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, and indigestion. Acupuncture is also used to treat neurological conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and aid in stroke rehabilitation. Additionally, it can be helpful for managing stress, anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, and even depression.

While acupuncture may not necessarily cure these conditions, it can serve as a valuable tool in helping individuals manage their symptoms, particularly when dealing with chronic conditions.

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Adam Schreiber answers your Mind Body questions. See all the advice Adam Schreiber has and get answers to your own Mind Body questions.

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Adam is an acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist licensed by the PA Board of Medicine and certified in Oriental Medicine by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. He graduated with a Masters in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the New England School of Acupuncture. Adam has completed extensive advanced study in Sports Medicine and Orthopedic acupuncture techniques. He was the chief editor of "Sports Medicine Acupuncture", a landmark text on the acupuncture treatment of orthopedic conditions. He has also worked on four clinical trials at the University of PA, all of which were related to acupuncture and cancer symptoms. Adam has a BA in Psychology from Washington Univ. in St. Louis. You might see him hiking or biking on the trails of the Wissahickon, where he loves to hang out!