Acupuncture needles ?
Posted , 5 users are following.
i recently posted about the risk in using acupunture needles but with no reaponse . can anyone tell me if a recently used needles was accidently on another patient would this be a sure route for blood transmission, i have a feeling acupuncture / myotherapy needles are different to medical needles and blood would die on the surface but as its being inserted into skin im still worried .
the reason for my worry is my very professional therapist whom normally uses a sharps container to dispose of needles used a kidney bowl for some reason during my last session , at one point i seen him go to accidentally take out of the kidney bowl where he had placed the used needle but he quickly realised where his hand was and went to the new packet. im worried if he could of gotten ditracted and re used a needle what the risk would . there was only about 5 mins between myself and his last client
0 likes, 8 replies
EileenH c26850
Posted
The effect of needle stick injury will be the same whatever type of instrument is used. Blood doesn't "die on the surface" - and it isn't blood you are worried about but what is IN the blood...
c26850 EileenH
Posted
ok i understand , so what do i do ? i have no exact proof if a used needle was used . do i go to a doctor? do i get medication incase .
im very confused as to what i do from here having not known if the needles were all new
EileenH c26850
Posted
I have no idea what you can/should do other than speak to the therapist and then your GP - it might be a good idea to speak to the therapist first and see what their line is. If the needle was only used on you it is immaterial and it sounds as if it probably was, they were just collecting the needles from your session to dispose of all together at the end. You don't have any indication of who might have been the previous patient or whether they are carrying any infection. There is a protocol in the NHS to follow with needle stick but I don't know what it is - and I assume the therapist isn't NHS?
c26850 EileenH
Posted
your right , not much i can do accept ask for a blood test when things are detectable . i guess the odds are fairly low but i suffer anxiety and unfortunately everything is playing on my mind now .
the last session i had he accidently missed the sharps container while removing a needle from my back , he has older wooden floor boards so the needle was not obvious to find . . i think he looked for less than a minute and carried on with treatment . all these things now are making me uneasy .
nothing i can do now though so ill try move one . i will seek advice later and thankyou so much for the reply
Light c26850
Posted
As far as my experience with acupuncture goes, the needles do not hit the blood vessels so even if you had someone else's, the chances of infection are minuscule. I have never seen any blood seeping, even minutely, in the probable 20 sessions I've had in my life.
I realize mistakes could be made.
I think, to calm yourself about it, visit your GP and get his input.
c26850 Light
Posted
thankyou so much for taking the time to reply . i did bleed in one spot just a little as he wiped it away with a tissue upon the needle being removed . i think i will discuss with my gp and possibly just accept that im too anxious to continue my sessions unfortunately .
thanks again 😃
ptolemy c26850
Posted
Is the acupuncture helping? In my case it was a waste of time, but if it helps it is probably worth finding someone you can trust more.
c26850 ptolemy
Posted
yeah its helping , its technically myotherapy but the needles are the same thing .
it could be me over reacting, well i hope its me over reacting . i feel so paranoid though and you wont know if any issues until i think 12 weeks or something 😕