Jump to content

  • Set Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
Set Your LocationSet Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Ask an Expert
  • Diabetes and Acupuncture: Is it Safe?
Content

Ask An Expert

Diabetes and Acupuncture: Is it Safe?

Ask the Expert Team

Ask the Expert Team

Sutter Health

Question:

Is it safe to have acupuncture if I have type 2 diabetes?

Answer:

The short answer: Yes.

The long answer:

  • Diabetics are more susceptible to infections, especially in their lower legs and feet. Therefore, make sure the facility is sanitary and, as required by the FDA, only properly labeled, sterile, non-toxic, single-use acupuncture needles should be used. Take a full body shower before you go; and even if you are not there for your lower extremities, acupuncture points may be located there. Some are even on the scalp. Ask the acupuncturist to prep your skin well, such as with alcohol or iodine wipes.
  • Acupuncture has not been shown to be effective for the treatment of diabetes, per se. However, since it is beneficial for selected types of chronic pain and discomfort, acupuncture may be considered for some of the nagging symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy or nerve pain/tingling, especially if conventional medical treatment has turned out to be ineffective or poorly tolerated. For example, I would try acupuncture before committing to long term use of narcotics if that is the only allopathic (traditional western) option left for pain control.
  • Many patients forget that the first and most effective treatment for diabetes and its myriads of complications is a healthy lifestyle which includes a pleasurable and sustainable habit of nutrition, physical activities, management of stress, and cultivation of a sense of well being. Sadly, that has been displaced to a de facto “alternative” status or even the last resort. In point of fact, it is the starting point of an integrative and holistic approach to ALL chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes.

Related Questions

Question
  • Acupunture as a Migraine Treatment?
    I am a frequent migraine sufferer and I was told that acupuncture can actually help more than drugs to prevent attacks. Is this true?
  • Alcohol Consumption and High Cholesterol
    How much does alcohol contribute to high cholesterol, and can I drink while taking Lipitor?
  • Adrenal Fatigue
    I am post-menopausal and dealing with adrenal fatigue. What do you recommend?
  • Pre-Diabetic - Now What Should I Do?
    I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic. I need help formulating a plan to avoid becoming diabetic. What can I do to reverse my diagnosis?
  • Tomatoes in a Diabetic Diet?
    My husband has type 2 diabetes. He heard that tomatoes have too much sugar in them, however, most recipes for diabetics contain tomatoes or tomato products. How do tomatoes fit into a diabetic diet?

Back to Diabetes

The Sutter Health Network of Care
Expertise to fit your needs
Primary Care

Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

Specialty Care

Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

Emergency Care

For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

Urgent Care

After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

Walk-In Care

Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

  • Contact Us
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Request Medical Records
  • Make a Gift
Sign in to My Health Online

Billing and Insurance

  • Pay a Bill
  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Estimate Costs
  • Medicare Advantage

About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Community Benefit
  • Annual Report
  • News

Our Team

  • For Employees
  • For Medical Professionals
  • For Vendors
  • For Volunteers

Careers

  • Jobs at Sutter
  • Physician Jobs
  • Graduate Medical Education

Copyright © 2023 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

  • ADA Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • LinkedIn Opens new window
  • YouTube Opens new window
  • Facebook Opens new window
  • Twitter Opens new window
  • Instagram Opens new window
  • Glassdoor Opens new window

Cookie Policy

We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences