Fatal and adverse events from acupuncture: Allegation, evidence, and the implications

In response to recent reviews in the literature that have focused on advers e events due to acupuncture treatment, this article reexamines the original reports from which they derive, particularly the fatalities allegedly caus ed by acupuncture. The article explores some important issues relating to t he debate on risk and safety. Education and research strategies need to be developed so that the acupuncture profession can continue to minimize the l ikelihood of adverse events occurring in the future.