More than two dozen institutes and colleges with 3 or 4-year academic and clinical programs have been established. There are now more than 10,000 acupuncturists nationally. It shows promise for a variety of other conditions, providing an unprecedented endorsement by Western medical establishment. The panel concluded there is 'clear evidence' that acupuncture is an effective treatment for nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy drugs, surgical anesthesia, or pregnancy, and for pain following dental surgery. Acupuncture has fewer side effects and it is less invasive than many other things physicians do.
Acupuncture is very safe when performed by a skilled therapist.
Very rarely does one experience weakness, feeling faint, temperature elevation or nausea. The treatment plan will vary because no two individuals will react to the treatment in the same way. Usually, it will take five to ten treatments to experience any improvement. Also, patients may be required to be seen periodically as a follow-up after symptoms improve. It has been noted that in adults, the younger the patient, the response is seen earlier in the treatment.