The 33-year-old woman went to the acupuncture clinic in March because of shoulder pain caused by arm and wrist injuries. In order to alleviate this discomfort, her acupuncturist inserted two needles near a place called "Jianjing acupoint" in Chinese medicine, that is, gallbladder 2 1 near the acromion.
It also stops dangerously near the tip of the lung, the tip of the organ near the neck. According to the data of the World Health Organization (WHO), at the gallbladder 2 1, the lung surface is only 0.4 to 0.8 inches (10 to 20 mm) under the skin.
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When the needle was inserted, the patient felt pain, and later recalled that according to the report submitted by the Health and Disability Commissioner of New Zealand, these instruments felt "very deep". The acupuncturist left the needle in it for 30 minutes, and then twisted it out, making the patient feel sudden "right chest pain and shortness of breath". The patient said that after 10 minutes, she also felt "bored", so the acupuncturist pulled out all the remaining needles for additional treatment, sent the patient home, and instructed him to rest and pay attention to breathing.
On arriving home, the patient felt persistent pain in his left chest and numbness in his right side. That night, she was taken to the emergency room, where she was diagnosed with bilateral apical pneumothorax, which meant that both her lungs collapsed. Pneumothorax is acupuncture treatment that causes gas to enter the chest cavity.
Although this is rare, acupuncturists occasionally puncture patients' lungs by pressing points on meridians. A study of 20 10 of the world health organization shows that about 30% of cases of acupuncture pneumothorax are caused by needle sticking in specific parts. According to the New Zealand Health and Disability Services Consumer Rights Guide, this established risk should be clearly explained to patients before any needle enters their skin.
It is reported that acupuncturists failed to inform patients of these risks and neglected to get patients to sign the required written consent. The Commissioner suggested that acupuncturists receive additional training, and the clinic should check whether other customers have received the information manual and signed the consent form before treatment. According to the New Zealand Herald,
You can read more about this case in the New Zealand Herald.
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