Possible side effects of acupuncture

Generally, side effects seem to relate to poor training of the acupuncturist.

The most common serious injury reported from the needles of acupuncture has been accidental puncture of the lung, which results in a partial collapse of the lung called pneumothorax.

The most common infection reported from acupuncture treatments is viral hepatitis, a potentially serious infection of the liver.

Other side effects include bacterial infections locally at the site of needle insertion in the skin and elsewhere in the body.