that Acupuncture is performed by trained and licensed practitioners. In the United States, the Council of Colleges
of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Clean Needle Technique Test and the National Certification Commission
for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Acupuncture Board Examinations are modeled after the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations and guidelines for maintaining Acupuncture practice and safety.
The WHO writes:
“In competent hands, acupuncture is generally a safe procedure with few contraindications or complications. Its most
commonly used form involves needle penetration of the skin and may be compared to a subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. Nevertheless, there is always a potential risk, however slight, of transmitting infection from one patient to another (e.g. HIV or hepatitis) or of introducing pathogenic organisms. Safety in acupuncture therefore requires constant vigilance in maintaining
high standards of cleanliness, sterilization and aseptic technique. There are, in addition, other risks which may not be foreseen or prevented but for which the acupuncturist must be prepared. These include: broken needles, untoward reactions, pain or discomfort, inadvertent injury to important organs and, of course, certain risks associated with the other forms of therapy classified under the heading of "acupuncture".
“Finally,there are the risks due to inadequate training of the acupuncturist. These include inappropriate selection of patients, errors of technique, and failure to recognize contraindications and complications, or to deal with emergencies when they arise.
“Generally speaking, Acupuncture treatment is safe if it is performed properly by a well-trained practitioner.
Unlike many drugs, it is non-toxic, and adverse reactions are minimal. This is probably one of the chief reasons why
Acupuncture is so popular in the treatment of chronic pain in many countries.” [emphasis added](1) (1). "Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials: 1. General Considerations: 1.4. Safety." Web. 30 Dec. 2011.< http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Js4926e/3.4.html#Js4926e.3.4>.
Why would Michigan's Governor Snyder want to expose his state's residents to the dangers of Acupuncture done by improperly and/or untrained practitioners?