Precautions During Acupuncture
① Patients who are overly hungry, fatigued, or emotionally tense should not undergo acupuncture immediately. For patients with weak physique, qi deficiency, and blood insufficiency, acupuncture techniques should not be too strong, and a supine position is recommended whenever possible.
② Pregnant women in the first three months should avoid acupuncturing points in the lower abdomen. For those pregnant beyond three months, points in the abdominal and lumbar-sacral regions should also be avoided. Certain points such as Sanyinjiao (SP6), Hegu (LI4), Kunlun (BL60), and Zhiyin (BL67)—which promote blood circulation and regulate menstruation—should be strictly avoided during pregnancy. Women should refrain from acupuncture during menstruation unless for regulating menstrual cycles.
③ Children whose fontanelles have not yet closed should not have acupuncture applied to points on the top of the head.
④ Patients with spontaneous bleeding or uncontrolled bleeding after injury should not receive acupuncture.
⑤ Areas with skin infections, ulcers, or scars should not be acupunctured.
⑥ Points located in the chest, flanks, waist, and back—where internal organs reside—should not be deeply or directly needled. Special caution is required for patients with hepatosplenomegaly or emphysema.
⑦ When needling eye areas, Fengfu (GV16), Yamen (GV15), and other points on the neck and spine, proper angles must be observed. Avoid large-scale lifting, inserting, twisting, or prolonged retention of needles to prevent damage to vital tissues and organs and serious adverse effects.
⑧ For patients with urinary retention, when needling points in the lower abdomen, appropriate direction, angle, and depth must be carefully controlled to avoid accidental injury to the bladder or other organs.