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The benefits of acupuncture to the human body have been understood and supported in Eastern medicinal practices for centuries. With the amount of negative press in the popular media and criticism regarding this procedure, many find themselves skeptical of the treatment. For many people, what can be expected from acupuncture, including its side effects and limits remains unknown.

Procedures of Chinese acupuncture are actually well refined, as they have been practiced for many years. Even in today’s medically advanced world, the practice has been determined as a safe, effective treatment for some people with disorders that have been a burden for years. Here is an outline of what can be expected from the acupuncture procedure as well as limits and side effects:

Acupuncture starts with the use of sterile needles, today made almost exclusively of stainless steel. The needles sterilization is done with ethylene oxide, which can be used on the needles without damaging their construction. The needles are coated on the top with a wire that allows for a better grip by the acupuncturist when placing them about the body.

Using an acupuncturing reference model that likely includes a diagram of needle insertion locations on the human body based on the type of treatment, the acupuncturist will start the procedure by placing needles in the patient’s skin. A particular treatment may require a cluster of a couple dozen needles in a few places on the body, while a full body treatment may require the placing of hundreds of needles.

The process of heating needles after their placement in skin, also known as Moxibustion, may be required for various treatments. Burning herbs, commonly located on the end of the needle extending from the skin, will be used to heat the needles after insertion. This is used to provide therapy for internal tissue in contact with the needle.

Due to the nature of the treatment, acupuncture is considered an invasive treatment, and can come with some risks. The main risk of the treatment is minor bleeding from the site of puncture, seen in about 3 of every 100 patients. Often, this can be stopped within a minute of removal of the needle, but differs from patient to patient.

The treatment does include other less common risks, such as hematoma, where bruises appear below the skin at the site of treatment, dizziness due to fear of needles or anxiety, and extremely rare instances of nerve injury, brain damage, lung and kidney damage resulting from incorrectly placed needles, as well as a slight chance of miscarriage with very specific treatment.

Despite the risks, acupuncture has benefits to the body. Though it cannot relieve every disorder, it can be used to relieve common tension headaches, some tension in lower back pains, nausea and vomiting, and some lower symptomatic forms of fibromyalgia. Because of these known benefits, and some other perceived ones, like the relief of stress and tension throughout the body, acupuncture is a viable treatment option. Knowing what you can expect from the acupuncture procedure as well as the side effects and limits can benefit you as a patient in the long run.