817: Acupuncture | Skeptical Sunday

Severe Risks

Acupuncture, often perceived as a harmless alternative therapy, has led to severe injuries and even fatalities. David C. Smalley reveals that 86 people have died from improperly placed needles, with the most common cause being pneumothorax, a condition where air enters the space between the lungs and chest wall, causing lung collapse 1. He also shares a shocking case where a New Zealand woman suffered collapsed lungs after needles were inserted too deeply into her shoulder 2.

   

Medical Warnings

Medical professionals have issued warnings about the risks of acupuncture. Jordan Harbinger and David C. Smalley3. They also highlight the mixed results of studies on acupuncture's effectiveness in reducing cancer pain, with many studies suffering from small sample sizes and design flaws 4.