Safety of Acupuncture Therapy
Recently, there was a review about the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in pediatrics area (1). In this article, the authors concluded that acupuncture is a safe alternative/complementary medicine modality for pediatric patients. Naturally, as is shown from previous studies on adverse events from acupuncture, it can be regarded as a safe medical intervention (2),(3),(4).
However, it is necessary to establish adequate frame work to protect severe adverse events that can be resulted from acupuncture treatment in pediatric patients. For this purpose, there need some regulations with regard to the license of the acupuncture practice. In Korea, only traditional Korean medicine (TKM) doctors who graduated from medical schools of 6-year course and who passed state examination of licensing TKM doctor, can practice acupuncture treatment. So there may be some possibility of less adverse event associated with acupuncture in Korea than in other countries of which license systems are not so strict as Korea. However, no prospective study on adverse events from acupuncture has ever been conducted in Korea. So thoughtful planning of a prospective survey on adverse events from acupuncture is mandatory.
Reference
1. Jindal V, Ge A, Mansky PJ. Safety and efficacy of acupuncture in children: a review of the evidence. J. Pediatr. Hematol. Oncol. 2008 Jun ;30(6):431-42.
2. Ernst E, White AR. Prospective studies of the safety of acupuncture: a systematic review. Am J Med. 2001 Apr 15;110(6):481-5.
3. White A, Hayhoe S, Hart A, Ernst E. Survey of adverse events following acupuncture (SAFA): a prospective study of 32,000 consultations. Acupunct Med. 2001 Dec ;19(2):84-92.
4. White A, Hayhoe S, Hart A, Ernst E. Adverse events following acupuncture: prospective survey of 32 000 consultations with doctors and physiotherapists. BMJ. 2001 Sep 1;323(7311):485-6.
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