The AMAC Course will provide opportunities to experience the insertion of acupuncture needles, as well as to practise the insertion of needles into fellow students during the Face-to-Face workshops. This will be a great opportunity to develop and practise your needling skills and all students are encouraged to take part.
However, taking part in this process is not compulsory. You have a choice to participate, or not, in the process of both needling other students and being needled by other students, under teacher supervision during the workshops.
An important part of the decision to participate in needling is an understanding of possible adverse effects of acupuncture:
- drowsiness occurs after treatment in a small percentage of patients; if you experience this you are advised not to drive until this effect has passed;
- minor bleeding or bruising occurs after acupuncture in about 3% of treatments;
- pain during treatment occurs in about 1% of treatments and can last for a few days;
- soft tissue injury, tendon and nerve injury are rare and can last for a few days to few weeks;
- existing symptoms can get worse in 24-48 hours after treatment (less than 3% of patients), although this is usually a good sign that you have responded to treatment;
- fainting can occur in patients who receive needles for any reason including acupuncture, particularly at the first treatment.
It is also compulsory that you let your teachers know if you:
- have ever experienced a fit, faint or funny turn;
- have a pacemaker or any other electrical implants;
- have a bleeding disorder; or you are taking anti-coagulants or any other medication;
- have damaged heart valves or have any other particular risk of infection;
- have Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, immunosuppression, HIV or other infectious disease;
- have any implants (joints or other);
- are pregnant;
- have a needle phobia;
- have a photosensitive disorder;
- have a significant pain condition or neurosensitisation
Single-use, sterile, disposable needles are always used in Australian medical practice and accordingly, during teaching sessions of the AMAC Course.