Acupuncture is generally a safe form of treatment. Research shows that the risk of serious events occurring in association with acupuncture is very low, below that of many common medical treatments.⁹

There are some circumstances when some types of acupuncture may not be used.⁶ These include:

1. If a patient is vulnerable to infection. Risk factors for infection are:

• ·valvular heart disease
• ·immunosuppression – either drug-induced, or secondary to a medical condition

2. If a patient has a tendency to excessive bleeding. However, if a patient is on well-managed anticoagulant therapy, they may still be able to have acupuncture, as long as the needling is not near major blood vessels or near joint spaces⁶
3. If a patient has a cardiac pace-maker, then electroacupuncture is avoided in certain areas⁶
4.  If the patient is too anxious about receiving acupuncture treatment

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