CONTRAINDICATIONS TO ACUPUNCTURE

• RELATIVE CONTRAINDICATIONS OR SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS REQUIRED
  • Patients who are unwilling or very apprehensive
  • Pregnancy, esp. in first trimester
  • Bleeding disorders, anticoagulants, and antiplatelet drugs
  • Immunocompromised patients (including diabetes mellitus)
  • Skin infections at site of needling
  • Skin disorders such as psoriasis or eczema (may be infected)
  • Valvular heart disease (only for indwelling needles)
  • Patients who are going to drive or operate machinery

• ABSOLUTE CONTRAINDICATION
  • Demand pacemaker (only for electro-acupuncture)