While acupuncture is generally safe, there are specific health conditions and situations where it might not be recommended. Learn when to consult a professional first.
Yes, it helps with a lot. No, it’s not for every body — or every situation.
We love acupuncture around here.
We’ve seen it help with pain, PMS, anxiety, sleep, digestion, injury recovery, and more.
But let’s be clear — acupuncture isn’t a miracle fix, and it’s not always the right call.
At YFS (Your Form Sux), we’re not in the business of pushing treatments for the sake of it. We’re here to help you get real results — which means knowing when to use acupuncture… and when to skip it.
Here’s when we hit pause, modify, or refer out:
1. You’re in a full-blown medical emergency
Acupuncture isn’t going to stop a heart attack, treat a stroke, fix a broken bone, or cure an infection.
If you’re:
- Experiencing severe chest pain
- Having trouble breathing
- Dealing with acute trauma (car crash, fall, head injury)
- Running a high fever or have signs of sepsis
→ Call 911. Go to the ER.
👉 Acupuncture is supportive, not emergency care.
2. You’re pregnant — and seeing someone not trained in pregnancy acupuncture
Acupuncture can be extremely helpful during pregnancy, but only when done by a practitioner trained in prenatal protocols.
Some points are contraindicated in pregnancy — they can stimulate uterine contractions or affect blood flow in ways that are risky in early or late pregnancy.
👉 At YFS, we screen for this and adjust everything — point selection, positioning, timing — to keep you and baby safe.
3. You’re afraid of needles and NOT ready to work through it
We’re all about supporting needle-nervous clients (and we have a whole strategy for that). But if just thinking about needles puts you in fight-or-flight mode, now may not be the time.
You’ll benefit more when your nervous system is open, not bracing.
👉 Start with other nervous system tools (like breathwork, massage, or mobility coaching), then circle back when you’re ready. No pressure.
4. You’re under the influence (or extremely hungover)
Acupuncture affects your nervous system and circulation — and so does alcohol or drugs. When those signals are mixed, it can mess with your blood pressure, cause dizziness, or just make the treatment ineffective.
👉 If you’ve been drinking heavily or using recreational substances within 24 hours, we’ll reschedule.
5. You’re expecting it to “fix everything” in one session
We love a motivated client — but acupuncture isn’t a magic bullet.
If you come in expecting one treatment to solve years of back pain, regulate your cycle, fix your stress, and clear your skin… you’ll leave disappointed.
👉 It’s powerful — but it works best consistently, as part of a bigger recovery plan.
6. You have a bleeding disorder or are on blood thinners (and haven’t told us)
Acupuncture uses super-fine needles, but even then — if your clotting is compromised, we need to know.
We can still treat you in most cases, but we’ll adapt needle depth, technique, and location to stay safe. The issue isn’t acupuncture — it’s not disclosing what you’re taking.
👉 Always tell us if you’re on meds like warfarin or have a bleeding condition.
7. You have unrealistic expectations — or aren’t ready to commit
If you’re not willing to:
- Do more than one session
- Make small lifestyle adjustments
- Track your symptoms honestly
- Communicate during treatment
…then acupuncture may not work for you. Not because it doesn’t work — but because it requires your participation.
👉 Healing is a two-way street. We bring the tools — you bring the commitment.
Final Word: It’s Not About Saying “No.” It’s About Saying “Not Yet.”
We’re not here to scare you off acupuncture. We’re here to give it to you when it will actually help — and to press pause when it won’t.
If you’ve got a complex health history, pregnancy, anxiety around needles, or are already working with a medical team — amazing. We’ll collaborate, adapt, or wait until it’s safe and useful.
At YFS, we’re not just doing acupuncture. We’re doing it right.
Not sure if acupuncture is the right fit for you — right now?
Book a consult (no pressure, no needles), and we’ll talk through your goals, concerns, and options.
