Acupuncture Matrix

Is acupuncture safe? For example, the FDA requires that needles be sterile, nontoxic, and labeled for single use by qualified practitioners only. Relatively few complications from the use of acupuncture have been reported to the FDA, in light of the millions of people treated each year and the number of acupuncture needles used.

Almost all of adverse reactions commonly seen in acupuncture practice—such as fatigue, drowsiness, aggravation, minor bleeding, pain on insertion and subcutaneous hemorrhage—are mild and transient, although we should be cautious of secondary injury following drowsiness and needle fainting.

Safety of acupuncture practice in Japan: patient reactions, therapist negligence and error reduction strategies
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2008 Dec;5(4):391-8.

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/introduction.htm#risks

Research Article Japanese, Safety