How Safe Are Acupuncture Needles?
With different diseases in the world today, especially those caused by needles that are unclean, the safety of acupuncture needles is of concern to many people. Fortunately in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration has strict guidelines on acupuncture needles such as the requirement they be sterile and used only one time. Of course, in spite of these safety mechanisms that are in place, some people will still be fearful at the thoughts of any kind of needles including acupuncture needles. Making certain to choose an experienced practitioner can allay some of those fears.
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 you are searching for an acupuncture practitioner, and you have a problem with painful needles, you can ask about using painless needles. Depending on the practitioner, he may not have them in his office but may be willing to order them for you. On the other hand, you may be able to choose a practitioner who uses nothing but painless acupuncture needles in order to assure the comfort of his patients. While acupuncture used to be a procedure that patients expected to be painful, new technology makes pain the exception rather than the rule.
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.
Are Acupuncture Needles safe?
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.
There is an added bonus of using painless needles, besides the practitioners using sterile needles. This is extremely beneficial to those who are fearful of needles and who may automatically jerk or tense-up when the needles are inserted. The benefits of using painless needles would be immeasurable to the patient, as the whole experience could become relaxing, comfortable and completely stress free. The treatment would therefore be more beneficial too.
If a patient is terrified of needles and is distressed because or suffering pain during the procedure they will not be able to relax, which will cause their muscles to be taut which could complicate the success of the treatment. If the patient is able to relax completely, the procedure using the painless acupuncture needles is more likely be a success. The patient’s ability to relax will enhance the success level of any procedure.
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.
