Acupuncture is generally not recommended if you:

•  have low blood counts - the risk of bleeding is increased if you have a low platelet count, and the risk of infection is increased if you have a low white blood cell count

•  suffer from haemophilia

•  have lymphoedema as the risk of infection is increased if acupuncture is performed on limbs with poor lymph drainage.

Acupuncture must be performed by a competent practitioner such as Lily if you:

•  are pregnant - some acupuncture points should be avoided or stimulated more gently as strong stimulation can cause contractions of the womb

•  are undergoing fertility treatments, such as IUI and IVF

•  wear a pacemaker or have a heart murmur.

Last updated on January 3, 2010 by Lily Lai