The use of acupuncture needles is reserved for professionals of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine with adequate training. In some countries, legislation limits their use to health personnel. There are alternatives to the use of needles: you can stimulate acupuncture points with finger pressure, Tuina and Shiatsu massages, adhesives and other non-invasive methods (laser, seeds of auriculotherapy).

General precautions

• Deep and perpendicular needling in the chest above the 11th rib is prohibited (risk of pneumothorax).
• Avoid needling arteries, veins, scars, eczema. Needle beside and direct the needle tip.
• Caution in hypochondriac region and lower abdomen.
• After a large meal, fasting, or alcohol intake there is a risk that the patient may become dizzy and vomit.
• If the patient is very tired or very nervous, acupuncture is not recommended, or if performed it should not be intense.
• There are people who may have adverse reactions (dizziness, cold sweat, palpitations, paleness, fainting) during the first sessions if they are afraid of needles, have claustrophobia, have bad memories of hospitals, are neurotic, nervous or hypersensitive.

Contraindicated points during pregnancy

These are said to induce labor

• SP-6; BL-60; BL-67; GB-21; LR-3; LI-4; sacral holes (BL-31, BL-32, BL-33 and BL-34).
• Avoid abdominal points below the navel during the entire pregnancy.
• Avoid abdominal points above the navel after the third month of pregnancy.