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Acupuncture Needles Safety

By: Barry Friedmann With so many different diseases in the world today, especially some that are caused by needles that are not clean, the safety of acupuncture needles is of concern to many people. Fortunately for those in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has very strict regulations on using acupuncture needles, such as requiring that they be sterile and that they can be used only once. Of course, in spite of these safety mechanisms that are there, many people will still be unsure at the thought of using a needle, including an acupuncture needle. Many of these fears can be allayed by ensuring that an experienced chiropractor is chosen to provide treatment.

Many patients fear pain from acupuncture needles. Searching for various types of acupuncture needles will show the existence of painless needles. Over and above painless needles easing the stress level of the patient, they allow the acupuncturist to avoid the possibility of automatic reflex reactions from patients when inserting the acupuncture needles. Painless acupuncture needles help the patient feel more comfortable with the procedure, and create a much lower stress level, which allows the procedure to work far more effectively.

The success level of any procedure is enhanced by the patient's ability to relax. The endurance of painful acupuncture needles does not allow the relaxation of the patient, and therefore may not afford the same level of success as a painless needle. Certainly this differs from patient to patient, but when you have someone who already fears needles, you are not going to help him or her by inflicting pain that is avoidable. For some people the pain of the acupuncture needles is less than the pain from which they seek relief, and thus they consider it worth it; for others, they are not seeking relief from pain by enduring more pain.

When searching for an acupuncture practitioner, and you experience a problem with painful needles, one can ask to use painless needles. Depending on the practitioner, they may not have them in stock but should be happy to order them for you. Alternatively, you may choose a practitioner who only uses painless acupuncture needles to assure the comfort of his patients. Acupuncture used to be a procedure that patients expected to be painful, the use of new technology reduces or eliminates pain.

As well as the fear of pain from acupuncture needles, many people fear infection from unclean needles. Inspecting the office of the practitioner before treatment may allow a patient to ease fears and show that the practitioner has a clean work area and uses sanitary, disposable acupuncture needles. By showing patients that they are concerned about the safety and well-being of his patients, the practitioner will ease the fears and tension of those whom he treats. A patient will respond better to treatment if they are without tension or fear.

How Safe are Acupuncture Needles?

In the USA the Food and Drug Administration enforces a policy that needles used for acupuncture have to be sterile and are to be used once only. Federal law restricts distributors from selling needles to unqualified practitioners. Because of the variety of diseases lurking around, it is of concern to many people that there may be a risk involved in allowing a practitioner to use needles on them. It is best to select an experienced and recommended acupuncturist, which will help to avoid the anxiety and fears of undergoing treatment.

Besides the experienced practitioners using sterile needles there is in fact the added bonus of using painless needles. This would be extremely beneficial to those who are fearful of needles and who would automatically jerk when the needle is inserted. The benefits to the patient using painless needles would be immeasurable as the whole experience could be relaxing, comfortable and completely stress free, and therefore the treatment would be more beneficial too.

If any patient is scared of needles and is distressed or suffering pain during any procedure, they will be unable to relax, their muscles will be tight and this could complicate the success of the whole treatment. When the patient relaxes comfortably, the outcome of the procedure using painless acupuncture needles will definitely be a success. The success level of any procedure is improved by the patient's ability to relax.

Painful acupuncture needles do not allow the patient to relax, and may therefore not achieve the same level of success as a painless needle. This will differ from patient to patient, but when you have someone who is already fearful of needles, you are not going to provide any help by inflicting avoidable pain.