Unwanted clinical effects
Clinical issues
Unwanted clinical effects
People are affected in a myriad of ways when they receive acupuncture, some respond relatively slowly and other respond in a much more immediate manner.
If clients are going to have an adverse reaction to the treatment, they will generally respond in 3 ways, and on the whole with the first treatment.
Ensuring that they are lying down the first time they receive acupuncture can reduce the risks of injury.
If a client faints, and approximately 1 in 8,000 people faint when having acupuncture, (Hugh MacPherson, et al, BMJ volume 323 1 September 2001) you need to be confident in following a safe procedure, to manage this event.
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Unplanned clinical effects
Mild effects
Slight dizziness, an odd sensation in their chest or abdomen, usually their pulse and breathing will remain unchanged.
Moderate effects
Palpitations, pale bloodless facial pallor, sweat beaded forehead, sweating, chills, breathing changes usually shallow, eyes rolling, thready pulse.
Strong effects
Hypo-tension, unconsciousness, low body temperature, almost imperceptible pulse.