Common and mild
Drowsiness or deep relaxation after a session is the most frequent effect, which is why we suggest not driving long distances or doing strenuous exercise straight afterwards. Slight bleeding or a small bruise at a needle point happens in a small percentage of treatments and fades within days. Some people feel light-headed on standing, particularly if they came in without eating. A temporary increase in symptoms for a day or so, sometimes called a healing reaction, is reported occasionally and usually precedes improvement.
Uncommon
Fainting during treatment is uncommon and more likely in people who are anxious about needles or have low blood pressure; treating you lying down largely prevents it. Localised soreness at a point for a day or two can occur after deeper needling in tight muscle. Very rarely, a needle can catch a small nerve and cause a sharp sensation that settles once it is repositioned.
Rare and serious
Infection, pneumothorax (a punctured lung) and organ injury have been reported worldwide but are almost entirely associated with untrained practitioners, unsafe depth or reused needles. UK surveys covering more than 66,000 treatments by trained practitioners recorded no serious adverse events. Choosing a registered acupuncturist who uses sterile single-use needles is the single most important thing you can do to avoid these.
Reducing side effects
Eat something light an hour or two before your appointment, drink water, and tell your practitioner about any medication, especially blood thinners. Mention if you have felt faint with needles before so we can treat you lying down. Rest afterwards rather than rushing back to a demanding day.
When to contact us
Bruising that is spreading, pain at a needle site that is getting worse rather than better, or any breathlessness after treatment should be reported straight away. These are very unlikely, but we would always rather hear from you. Our practitioners at Omnia in Chiswick are BAcC and ATCM registered.