When practised correctly by trained, qualified professional practitioners, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are extremely safe. In fact, when practised correctly, they have no side effects and produce no iatrogenic or doctor-caused disease. If a patient reports side effects from the treatment, the practitioner modifies the treatment until there is healing without side effects. This is because Chinese medicine seeks to restore balance to the entire person, not just the piece or part.
Side effects mean there is imbalance which needs to be corrected.