Who Should Not Take Acupuncture? Important Safety Considerations

28 Nov 2025

Written by Wesley Adora (Physiotherapist, APAM)

Acupuncture is widely used across the world to manage pain, stress, headaches, sports injuries and many chronic conditions. In Australia alone, thousands of people try acupuncture each year as part of their health routine. Large-scale safety reviews show that when performed by trained professionals, acupuncture has a very low complication rate. However, “low risk” does not mean “no risk.” Understanding who should not take acupuncture is just as important as knowing its benefits.

There are specific groups of people who should avoid acupuncture altogether or only consider it under strict medical guidance. Understanding these risks is essential before beginning any treatment.

Who Should Not Take Acupuncture?

Although acupuncture is well tolerated by many individuals, there are clear clinical situations where treatment may not be suitable. Identifying who should not take acupuncture helps reduce unnecessary risks and supports better patient outcomes.

Why Acupuncture Is Not Suitable for Everyone

Acupuncture works by inserting very fine needles into specific points on the body to stimulate the nervous and circulatory systems. While the technique is generally gentle, it still involves breaking the skin barrier and influencing internal physiological responses.

For most people, this is safe and well managed. However, for others, acupuncture may increase the risk of bleeding, infection, fainting, or medical complications. This is why recognising who should not take acupuncture before starting treatment is essential.

Large international safety reviews indicate that serious complications occur in fewer than 1 in 10,000 treatments, but the risk rises when acupuncture is used in unsuitable patients or without proper assessment.

People With Bleeding Disorders or on Blood Thinners

Anyone with conditions such as haemophilia, platelet disorders, or people taking anticoagulant medication (such as warfarin or direct oral anticoagulants) should approach acupuncture with caution.

Even shallow needling can cause:

• Excessive bruising

• Prolonged bleeding

• Deep tissue bleeding in rare cases

"Research shows that around 8–9% of patients experience minor side effects from acupuncture, such as mild bleeding, bruising, or temporary soreness."

While some patients on blood thinners may still be treated safely under clinical supervision, self-referral without medical guidance is not advised.

People With Weakened Immune Systems

Acupuncture introduces a small break in the skin barrier. For healthy individuals this heals quickly. However, for patients with weakened immunity, the risk of infection increases.

This includes people who:

• Are undergoing chemotherapy
  

• Have autoimmune diseases
  

• Have recently had organ transplants
  

• Are fighting active systemic infections
  

Even minor infections can become serious when the immune system is compromised, so acupuncture may not be appropriate during these periods.

Pregnancy and Specific Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture is sometimes used during pregnancy for nausea, pain relief, and labour preparation. However, certain acupuncture points are traditionally associated with stimulating uterine contractions.

For this reason, acupuncture during pregnancy should only be performed by practitioners trained in prenatal care. Failure to recognise who should not take acupuncture during pregnancy may increase the risk of premature contractions, particularly in early stages.

People With Pacemakers or Implanted Medical Devices

Some acupuncture techniques involve mild electrical stimulation, commonly known as electro-acupuncture. For people with pacemakers, defibrillators, or implanted nerve stimulators, electrical currents may interfere with these devices.

Even standard acupuncture should be approached cautiously in these cases, and electrical stimulation should be avoided unless medically cleared.

People With Active Skin Conditions or Open Wounds

Acupuncture needles should never be inserted into areas affected by:

• Skin infections
  

• Open wounds
  

• Active rashes
  

• Ulcers
  

• Tumours or suspicious skin lesions
  

Needling through infected or damaged skin increases the risk of spreading infection and slowing healing.

People With Severe Needle Phobias or Fainting Issues

Although needles used in acupuncture are extremely fine, some people experience strong fear responses or feel light-headed during treatment. Individuals with a history of fainting, panic attacks triggered by needles, or severe anxiety may not tolerate acupuncture well and could be better suited to alternative therapies.

People With Unstable Medical or Neurological Conditions

Those with unstable spinal conditions, uncontrolled epilepsy, or significant neurological disorders that affect movement or awareness may also be unsuitable candidates. Acupuncture requires the ability to remain still during treatment to avoid injury.

What the Research Tells Us About Safety

Modern research consistently shows that acupuncture is generally safe when performed correctly on suitable patients.

A review of over two million acupuncture sessions found that minor side effects such as bruising and soreness occurred in about 8–10% of patients, while serious complications were extremely rare.

Most serious incidents reported worldwide have been linked to:

• Poor hygiene

• Incorrect needle depth

• Inadequate practitioner training

• Failure to identify who should not take acupuncture

This highlights the importance of both proper screening and professional standards.

The Importance of Proper Screening Before Treatment

One of the biggest risks with acupuncture is not the treatment itself—it is failing to identify who should not receive it.

Before starting acupuncture, every patient should be asked about:

• Medications
  

• Chronic illnesses
  

• Pregnancy
  

• Bleeding problems
  

• Immune function
  

• Implants and devices
  

Full transparency protects both the patient and the practitioner and ensures results are achieved safely.

Conclusion

Understanding who should not take acupuncture is essential for ensuring safe and effective care. While acupuncture offers many benefits for pain relief, stress management, and chronic conditions, certain individuals—such as those with bleeding disorders, compromised immunity, specific implanted devices, high-risk pregnancies, or unstable medical conditions—should avoid treatment or proceed only under strict medical supervision.

At Norwest Central Physiotherapy & Sports Clinic in Norwest, NSW, our experienced physiotherapists provide thorough assessments to determine if acupuncture is suitable for you. We prioritise patient safety and personalised care to ensure you receive the most effective and appropriate treatment.

Book your consultation today to discuss your health needs and find out whether acupuncture is the right option for you. Take the first step toward safe, professional, and results-driven care with our team.