This is interesting as there really are no conventional treatments that will actually regenerate kidney function, but this approach can. Other conditions that can respond but many people don't think about are things like epilepsy, infertility and reproductive problems, abnormal emotional problems, lick granulomas and almost any kind of infectious process just to name a few. Although it is possible with acupuncture to physically damage the patient through improper needling of a few points, it is almost unheard of with a competent practitioner. One thing I keep telling my clients is that the worse thing that has happened to me in the years I have been using acupuncture is nothing. We can almost say the same thing about Chinese herbal combinations.
Side effects can occur if dosing is improper or, more often, if an inappropriate formula is used.
The side effects are minimal compared to many conventional drugs and have no long-term damage to the body. They usually manifest as mild gastrointestinal signs such as loose stools. The reports of toxic chemicals and heavy metals are greatly overstated and almost impossible to see side effects with.