Can acupuncture cause nerve damage?

Not really: Theoretically and in reality it does not happen because nerves are very slippery and movable , and the acupuncture needles flexible.Because of that it is virtually impossible to pears a nerve. Of cause care is being taken that nerves are avoided . Acupuncture points are located along the fascias(very thin transparent tissues enveloping the muscles) and usually away from the nerves.

Very rarely: Acupuncture can rarely cause damage to superficial, usually sensory nerves, should the needle injure the nerve. There have been several reports in the neurologic literature regarding these events. All the patients recovered without long term sequelae. Given the number of individuals seeking acupuncture, the chance of nerve injury is very slim.

Uncommon: Nerve damage is one of the possible problems that can occur from acupuncture - but it is rare. A gentle needler would be well aware of the pain caused if too close to a nerve. However, major acupuncture points are in the vicinity of nerves. We use the electrical field surrounding the nerve to obtain chi.