What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture involves the use of fine, sterile, metal needles. These needles are put in specific points in your body. These are called acupuncture points.

There are up to 2,000 acupuncture points on the human body. Some practitioners use lasers instead of needles to stimulate the acupuncture points.

Acupuncture is a form of complementary or alternative medicine. Complementary therapies are used with conventional medicine. While alternative therapies are used instead of conventional medicine.

Acupuncture aims to help manage the cause of your condition and your symptoms.

It's thought that acupuncture works by stimulating specific nerves. This controls your nervous system and how you feel pain.

People have been practicing acupuncture in Australia since the 1880s. It's the most popular form of complementary medicine.

The history of acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient medical practice. It began in China more than 2,000 years ago.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture points create energy pathways called meridians.

Acupuncture clears energy blocks and encourages the normal flow of energy through your body. It's considered a holistic therapy because it links your body, mind and emotions.

What are the benefits of acupuncture?

You may get acupuncture, if you have musculoskeletal pain, such as from:

• carpal tunnel syndrome
• fibromyalgia
• neck, shoulder and back pain
• osteoporosis
• sciatica
• tendinitis
• tennis elbow

Acupuncture may also help with:

• headaches and migraines
• insomnia
• menstrual cramps
• nausea and vomiting
• respiratory conditions like hay fever (allergic rhinitis) and asthma

There is also evidence for the use of acupuncture to treat mental health conditions such as:

• stress
• anxiety
• depression
• addiction

The use of acupuncture may reduce your need for other medicines like pain-relief.

However, you should always talk to your doctor before changing any medicines that you take.

Can I have acupuncture if I am pregnant?

If you are pregnant, you can talk to your doctor about acupuncture to help with pregnancy and labour pain. Acupuncture can help ease back or pelvic pain during pregnancy.

It's important to speak to your doctor before getting acupuncture if you are pregnant. There may be a chance of miscarriage in the first trimester.

You could also ask about acupressure, which uses the same points on the body but without needles.

There is some evidence for acupuncture for fertility related issues, but this is weak.

What does acupuncture involve?

First, you will talk about your health problem with your practitioner. They will ask about your medical history, including:

• your diet, appetite and lifestyle
• what medicines you take
• if you have any pain
• if you have any neurological conditions
• your sleep patterns
• your bladder and bowel function
• any unexpected weight gain or loss

They will examine you for:

• tender spots
• your range of motion
• your ability to control your legs and arms

A Chinese medical practitioner will look at your tongue and check your radial pulse (pulse in your wrist). The acupuncturist will decide which acupuncture points to choose for your treatment. They may press on different points to see if any are tender.

The acupuncturist puts needles into your skin or muscle at the specific acupuncture points. The needles used in acupuncture are much finer than the needles used to take blood. Once the needles are put in, they will be left in place for 25 to 35 minutes.

The acupuncturist may stimulate the acupuncture points by:

• pushing the needles
• twisting the needles
• using an electric pulse device

They will remove the needles at the end of the session.

You may be offered other traditional Chinese medicine therapies at the same time.

The number of acupuncture sessions you will need can vary a lot. A course can be between 1 to 20 sessions. Ask your healthcare practitioner about how many appointments you need.

If you find that acupuncture makes you feel worse, tell your practitioner.

Who can do acupuncture?

Acupuncture is usually done by Chinese medicine practitioners. To qualify as an acupuncturist, you must study at university for at least 4 years.

There are over 4,000 registered Chinese medicine practitioners in Australia.

Acupuncture treatment is also carried out by other health professionals, including:

• doctors
• dental practitioners
• physiotherapists, podiatrists and chiropractors
• optometrists
• nurses and midwives
• psychologists
• osteopathy and naturopathy practitioners

You can check if your practitioner is registered on the Chinese Medicine Board Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) website. Those listed on this registration must be trained, qualified and safe to practise.

How can I prepare myself for acupuncture?

If you are planning on having acupuncture, it's important to talk about this with your doctor.

It's best if both your acupuncturist and your doctor know about any treatments that you are having.

Before having acupuncture, check if you have any of these conditions, including:

• bleeding problems or take blood thinners
• lower immunity
• heart disease
• some types of cancer
• a metal allergy

You shouldn't delay or stop any medical treatments because you are having acupuncture.

You do not need a referral from your doctor to get acupuncture.

Tell your acupuncturist if you have:

• hepatitis B
• hepatitis C
• HIV/AIDS

You can also ask your doctor or practitioner about how much acupuncture will cost. If you have private health insurance extras cover, acupuncture may be listed in your policy.

How soon will I recover?

Acupuncture does not usually hurt. During acupuncture, you may feel:

• sore
• numb
• full

You may feel calm and relaxed afterwards. If you feel tired or sleepy, do not drive until you feel better.

The side effects of acupuncture can include:

• tenderness in the area
• bleeding or bruising
• dizziness
• nausea (feeling sick)
• infection at puncture sites

What complications can happen?

Acupuncture is considered safe for most people. Only 1 in 10 people who have acupuncture for lower back pain have side effects.

It's important that you see a trained and qualified acupuncturist. Remember that any procedure that involves puncturing your skin with needles has some risk.

More serious side effects are:

• nerve damage
• spread of blood-borne diseases, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS
• puncture of organs

Qualified acupuncturists will take care when needling, especially around organs or nerves. Acupuncturists should use sterile, disposable needles to lower the chance of infection. Using disposable needles helps to prevent the spread of blood-borne diseases.

Are there alternatives to acupuncture?

Like acupuncture, dry needling is a technique that involves puncturing the skin. It uses fine needles to ease pain and muscle tightness.

Dry needling works on points in your muscles .

Dry needling is most often done by physiotherapists, osteopaths and chiropractors.

Resources and support

• Read more about acupuncture at the Australian Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Association.
• You can also learn more on the Australian Natural Therapies Association website.
• Find out about complementary therapy during pregnancy at our pregnancy birth and baby page.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.