Acupuncture for Cancer: Safety & Side Effects
This page covers safety information for Acupuncture. See our complete Acupuncture therapy guide →
Is acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture and acupoint-related therapies are generally considered safe and are well tolerated.
Side effects and adverse reactions
Most adverse effects of acupuncture are minor and resolve quickly on their own.1Höxtermann MD, Haller H, et al. 2022. Safety of acupuncture in oncology: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Cancer, 128(11), 2159–2173. Some studies even show fewer adverse events among people with cancer treated with acupuncture compared to controls.2Fangfang MA, Hewei Z, et al. 2023. Acupuncture and moxibustion for malignant tumor patients with psychological symptoms of insomnia, anxiety and depression: a systematic review and Meta-analysis. Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan, 43(3), 441–456; He Y, Xiang S, et al. 2024. Acupuncture treatment for liver cancer pain: A meta-analysis. Journal of surgical oncology, 130(1), 83–92.
Minor side effects of acupuncture may include:3Fangfang MA, Hewei Z, et al. 2023. Acupuncture and moxibustion for malignant tumor patients with psychological symptoms of insomnia, anxiety and depression: a systematic review and Meta-analysis. Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan, 43(3), 441–456; Wu X, Chung VC, et al. 2015. Effectiveness of acupuncture and related therapies for palliative care of cancer: overview of systematic reviews. Scientific Reports. 5:16776.
- Pain or bleeding at needling sites
- Bruising, rash, or skin irritation at needling sites
- Dizzinesss
- Headache
- Vertigo
- Discomfort
- Tingling or sensation similar to an electrical shock
There have been case reports of more severe adverse effects associated with acupuncture including pneumothorax, infection, spinal cord injury, and cardiac injury.4Yamashita H, Tsukayama H, et al. 1999. Adverse events in acupuncture and moxibustion treatment: a six-year survey at a national clinic in Japan. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 5(3):229-36. Acupuncture may also be associated with higher transmission rates of Hepatitis C.5Hyun MH, Kim JH, et al. 2023. Risk of Hepatitis C Virus Transmission through Acupuncture: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. The Korean journal of gastroenterology = Taehan Sohwagi Hakhoe chi, 82(3), 127–136. However, these severe adverse effects are extremely rare and licensing and training standards for acupuncture practitioners have improved over time. Most adverse events are associated with negligence on the part of practitioners.6Yamashita H, Tsukayama H, et al. 1999. Adverse events in acupuncture and moxibustion treatment: a six-year survey at a national clinic in Japan. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 5(3):229-36.
Contraindications
Patients with any of these conditions may be advised not to undergo acupuncture:7de Valois B, Young T, et al. 2024. Acupuncture in cancer care: recommendations for safe practice (peer-reviewed expert opinion). Supportive Care in Cancer. 32(4):229; World Health Organization. 2020. WHO Benchmarks for the Practice of Acupuncture. Geneva: World Health Organization. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
- Immunocompromised
- Blood coagulation issues
- Unstable epilepsy
- Fever or localized infection
- Needles should not be placed on broken skin or open sores
- Pacemaker (contraindicated for electroacupuncture)
The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that acupuncture can be safe for pregnancy but specific points on the abdomen should be avoided.8World Health Organization. 2020. WHO Benchmarks for the Practice of Acupuncture. Geneva: World Health Organization. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
Drug interactions
There are no known drug interactions with this therapy.
References