United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Anyone heard of or experienced a brachial nerve injury through accupunture?
Friend had accupunture in right arm last feb. Had total paralysis, now after careful reheab back to only 70% and still frequently loses function. Neurologists conflict in diagnosis and treatment. Definitely accupuncture related as paralysis began during procedure and was complete following.
Any suggestions for further research and info very much appreciated. Friend is concert violinist.... (!)

We bring our son to acupuncture weekly. I had asked the question of more possible damage and was told that the needles to not go in far to cause damage. I will run this by our acu. guy and see what he says. I'll let you know what I find out later tonight.
Cindy

Wow - scary to hear about this. I remember in our training (shiatsu therapist) we were talking about the different types of insertion methods.... on the skin - just below the skin and deeply in the skin.... (told us that the more modern techniques insert much more surface than ever before vs the traditional chinese techniques which go much deeper). I wonder what this guy used.... drywall nails???

It doesn't make sense.... acupuncture needles are much like the EMG needles and for total paralysis he'd had to get a whole bunch of nerves.

With all due respect, something's wrong with this picture.

-francine

I checked with our acupuncturist and he stated that it could happen if someone used improper techinques or possibly more traditional methods that Francine posted about.

And then there's the chance that something that can go wrong with any type of treatment also.
Cindy

Many thanks for your reply.
If your accupuncturist has more information about what might have happened to cause this injury, or if he/she knows of another case, we would appreciate his comments.
Thanks

I know it seems an unlikely injury. Many neurologists have made similar comments. However she was fine before the treatment, felt strange tingling sensation during treatment, and was left with significant paralysis following treatment which intensified over the next few days. She had a great deal of pain and and spasm too.
Any other thoughts? Or perhaps a suggestion of where to look for further research?

Viola - I am curious to know what that acupuncturist has said - how has he explained it? Does she know what specific points he was working on and for what purpose? If I had more information I could ask my acupuncturist about it.
-francine

Unfortunately the accupuncturist was a friend of the family so its a pretty complicated situation.
During the session my friend reported a strange feeling and twice asked to end the session. Finally she insisted. The accupuncturist resisted saying the treatment must be completed. My friend refused. The accupuncturist only noticed the paralysis when my friend was trying to write the check -she couldn't hold the pen. Again the accupuncturist wanted to put the needles in again to release the chi (?) My friend fled.
Needles were placed in her right arm back and neck. The paralysis is in her right arm.
She was there because she had sprained her left hand but absolutely refused any needles in her left side.
thanks for asking your dr.