What about medication and other medical care?

Acupuncture may be used in cooperation with other medical care.  It is important for the acupuncturist to know what medication the patient is taking, since medication can affect the planning and assessing of treatment. 

As acupuncture treatment progresses, the need for certain drugs can decrease and it may be appropriate to reduce or discontinue medication. 

However, this should be done only with the cooperation and approval of the prescribing doctor.  For medical emergencies, one's personal physician or an emergency service facility should be contacted.