Acupuncture Ayurveda

SmartAnswer by DigiNepal SI

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice involving the insertion of thin needles at specific points on the body to alleviate pain and treat various conditions. It is reasonable evidence-supported for some chronic pain conditions such as back, neck, knee arthritis, and headache as part of usual care. However, its effectiveness for most other uses is weak. Acupuncture is generally safe with a trained practitioner using sterile single-use needles, and infections and lung punctures are rare. Some Ayurvedic products contain metals, posing quality concerns, with US FDA and CDC reporting lead poisoning cases and studies finding lead, mercury, or arsenic in a share of products sold online. Acupuncture is registered in Nepal and India, with specific regulations for Ayurveda and homoeopathy. In the UAE, complementary and alternative medicine practitioners and products need licensing by the emirate health authority. It is important to consult a healthcare professional for any health-related decisions.

Sources: SI summary (own words); NCCIH Herbs at a Glance; FDA and CDC advisories; NLM MedlinePlus (NLM-authored only) · Reference · Reference · Reference · Reference

What it is

Thin needles placed at specific points, from traditional Chinese medicine.

Traditional use (claimed)

Pain, nausea, many other conditions.

Evidence

Reasonable evidence for some chronic pain (back, neck, knee arthritis, headache) as part of usual care; weak for most other uses.

Safety

Safe with a trained practitioner using sterile single-use needles; infections and lung puncture are rare.

Quality concerns

Some Ayurvedic rasa shastra and bhasma products deliberately contain metals; US FDA and CDC have reported lead poisoning cases, and studies found lead, mercury or arsenic in a share of products sold online.

Interactions

Bleeding risk with blood thinners.

Avoid if

bleeding disorders, unsterile settings

Regulation in Nepal

Herbal products in Nepal are registered with the Department of Drug Administration (DDA). Nepal: the Department of Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine (DoAA, Ministry of Health and Population) runs government Ayurveda hospitals and clinics; practitioners register with the Nepal Ayurveda Medical Council. Ask to see the council registration.

Regulation in India

India: the Ministry of AYUSH regulates Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homoeopathy; practitioners register with the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) or the National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH).

Regulation in UAE

UAE: complementary and alternative medicine practitioners and products need licensing by the emirate health authority (DHA in Dubai, DoH in Abu Dhabi, MOHAP elsewhere). Check the licence on the authority's public register.