After reviewing decades’ worth of data, a group of Canadian researchers has concluded that acupuncture is generally safe for children when performed by appropriately trained practitioners.
According to the study, “The Safety of Pediatric Acupuncture: A Systematic Review,” in the December 2011 Pediatrics (published online Nov. 21), the use of acupuncture for children is common.
The researchers looked at data from various countries spanning 60 years, and assessed the association between needle acupuncture and various levels of adverse events in children. They found that of 279 adverse events identified, 253 were mild, 1 was moderate and 25 were serious.
The authors suggest that the serious adverse events were more likely related to substandard practice than inherent to the technique of needle acupuncture itself. They concluded that in trained hands, pediatric acupuncture is safe.
