Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese practice of healing that has gained global popularity. It is useful for many health problems. However, there are circumstances when this needle therapy should not be used. Explore the conditions and situations under which this particular treatment is not appropriate or safe.
What Are the Acupcunture Limitations For Pregnancy?
Acupuncture during pregnancy is generally safe but should be approached with caution. Avoid acupuncture on certain points that may induce labor prematurely. Always consult a qualified practitioner familiar with prenatal acupuncture to ensure safety and appropriateness for your stage of pregnancy.
This needle insertion therapy might be beneficial during pregnancy. However, certain points on the body should be avoided. Certain acupuncture points might excite labor pangs or cause adverse effects on the baby.
Pregnant women should discuss their health conditions in detail with their acupuncturist and only visit practitioners who have knowledge of treating pregnant women.
A few points on the lower part of the back, stomach, and legs can induce labor. These would include SP6 (Spleen 6) and LI4 (Large Intestine 4). Qualified acupuncturists know where these points are and can safely perform this traditional Chinese therapy on pregnant women.
What Cautions Should People with Bleeding Disorders Take?
Those with bleeding disorders and people consuming blood thinners should go for Acupuncture after careful consideration. The needles utilized in this therapy may cause minor bleeding that could be serious in such individuals.
If you are taking blood thinners or you have a bleeding disorder, ensure that you inform your acupuncturist before treatment because they need to adjust their technique or avoid some points to minimize bleeding risks.
Always maintain contact with your general physician to ensure that this treatment must not harm you instead of benefitting you in any way. Being cautious is helpful for both your practitioner and you.
What are the five forbidden acupuncture points?
The five commonly forbidden acupuncture points are LI4 (Hegu), SP6 (Sanyinjiao), BL60 (Kunlun), GB21 (Jianjing), ST12 (Quepen). They are usually avoided during pregnancy because of the risks involved.
LI4 (Hegu) is found on the hand, it activates uterine contractions. SP6 (Sanyinjiao) point is located above the ankle and can stimulate the uterus, causing labor. BL60 (Kunlun) is positioned near the ankle, associated with promoting labor, and should not be used.
GB21 (Jianjing) is located on the shoulder. It may stimulate the uterus to induce labor. BL67 (Zhiyin) is situated at the tip of the little toe; traditionally used for turning a breech baby in order to induce labor.
These points are omitted to avoid any risks of miscarriage or preterm labor.
What are the situations in Acupuncture that should be avoided?
Avoid acupuncture if you have an active infection, severe bleeding disorders, or are pregnant (in certain cases). It should also be avoided if you have recently had surgery, are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or have a pacemaker.
Acupuncture needles should never be inserted on infected skin. Needles being inserted into infected skin can make it spread further or exacerbate it. If you have eczema or psoriasis, you should not take chances with this needle-based treatment. T
Some types of acupuncture use small electric currents. These may interfere with pacemaker function and other implanted electrical devices. You need to inform your acupuncturist about this because there are some electrical stimulation techniques they might not employ when treating you.
For those who are extremely afraid of injections, this needle-based treatment can create stress rather than bring relief. The amount of anxiety generated could outweigh any benefits derived from such treatment.
In unique cases like this one can think about considering acupressure where pressure is exerted on specific points without needles.
Are There Acupuncture for Specific Treatments?
Yes, acupuncture can be tailored for specific treatments, such as pain management, stress reduction, digestive issues, and respiratory conditions. A skilled acupuncturist will select specific points based on your condition and overall health needs.
It is indeed possible that acupuncture by trained professionals could help manage a few side effects related to cancer treatments. Still, it is advisable that you consult your oncologist before undergoing such procedures, especially when under active chemotherapy.
Thus needle insertion treatment should never be performed directly on a tumor site or its vicinity because it may lead to the dissemination of tumor cells.
Patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (DM) should exercise caution while using this needle treatment. This procedure may impact blood glucose levels, leading to complications in diabetic patients.
If you have diabetes and want to try acupuncture, work closely with your doctor to monitor your blood sugar levels and adjust your treatment plan if needed.
Why aren’t doctors recommending acupuncture?
Doctors may not recommend acupuncture due to a lack of standardized evidence, varying quality of practice, and limited integration with conventional medical treatments. Some may prefer evidence-based treatments with established efficacy.
Many doctors argue that there is not enough high-quality scientific evidence to show how effective this needle insertion therapy is for many conditions. Some people think that any improvements caused by this treatment may be a result of the placebo effect rather than the treatment itself.
Clinical trials for Acupuncture often give mixed or contradictory results. Lack of standardized training and regulation can lead to different quality of care in acupuncture services.If done improperly, there are risks of infections, injuries, or adverse reactions
What Steps Should be Taken Before Acupuncture?
Before acupuncture, consult with your healthcare provider, choose a licensed acupuncturist, discuss your medical history, and inform them of any medications or health conditions. Ensure the practitioner uses sterile needles and follows safety protocols to avoid complications.
One should allow their body time to recover after undergoing recent surgery. Until you get permission from the surgeon, it’s better not to perform needle insertion near incision areas.
Having severe osteoporosis means having very brittle bones. In extreme cases, pressure exerted during this needle-based treatment could cause fractures. Less invasive traditional Chinese medicine such as herbal treatments or very light acupressure may be more appropriate under these circumstances.
Some medications may interact with acupuncture treatments. For instance, certain painkillers or muscle relaxants might influence the effectiveness of this needle treatment.When visiting an acupuncturist always bring a complete list of all drugs you have been prescribed.
People with severe, unstable mental health conditions should consult their psychiatrist before trying acupuncture. In some cases, the treatment might not be suitable or could potentially worsen symptoms.
For those with well-managed mental health conditions, this needle-based therapy might act as a complementary therapy.
Which Point in Acupuncture is Worry?
In acupuncture, the point of concern is often LI4 (Hegu), located on the hand. It is known to potentially induce labor in pregnant women or cause discomfort if not used correctly. Always consult a practitioner before treatment.
The Third Eye Point or Yintang, which lies between your eyebrows, is commonly used for anxiety, worry, and stress relief purposes. Zusanli (Stomach 36) is situated on the lower leg and can help alleviate anxiety and promote emotional balance/stability.
Shenmen (Heart 7) is located at the wrist. This point is used in reducing anxiety levels, thus calming down one’s mind. An experienced Acupuncturist will know well about these points of the body.
How Can Acupuncture Go Wrong?
Acupuncture can go wrong if non-sterile needles are used, improper techniques are applied, or incorrect points are targeted. Potential issues include infections, nerve damage, or exacerbation of existing conditions. Always choose a qualified and experienced acupuncturist to minimize risks.
Unsterilized needles used in Acupuncture may cause infections.Poor needle insertion can result in organ puncture or nerve damage in patients.Patients might have allergic reactions to the needles themselves or substances applied during treatment.
Incorrect acupuncture techniques may only exacerbate symptoms furtherUtilization of this needle insertion treatment for medical situations requiring a physician’s intervention could lead to a wrong diagnosis and delay the treatment.
So always check the qualifications of your practitioner before making the choice. Try to get testimonials from their previous clients.
Conclusion:
While acupuncture can be beneficial for many conditions, it’s not suitable for everyone all the time. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting acupuncture, especially if you have any of the conditions mentioned above. Be honest with your acupuncturist about your health history to ensure a safe and effective treatment experience.
