Acupuncture is a popular alternative medicine, widely used in its country of origin – but the quality of needles has not kept pace with modern manufacturing techniques, experts say today.
Needles tend to have surface irregularities and distorted tips – sometimes even with metallic lumps, according to a study conducted with electron microscopes.
Researchers in Australia set out to study the quality of needles ten years after a study revealed similar problems with needles.
Reporting in Acupuncture in Medicine, the researchers say problems were especially found in brands manufactured in China.
The researchers, led by Professor Yi Min Xie, of RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia, say some needles could leave metallic deposits in patients.
Poorly made needles could also cause bleeding, bruising or excessive pain – side-effects which are "quite common," the researchers say, calling for manufacturers to improve quality control.
Dr Mike Cummings, medical director of the British Medical Acupuncture Association, said the procedure remained safe.
He said: “It’s highly unlikely that it will affect patient health.”
He said the pictures giving evidence of poor quality "look as awful as they did ten years ago."
Examination of surface conditions and other physical properties of
commonly used stainless steel acupuncture needles Acupuncture in Medicine 13 February 2014; doi:10.1136/acupmed-2013-010472 [abstract]
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