Q Since costochondritis is located in the chest area, I am afraid that acupuncture needles might puncture the lungs or heart. Is it safe?
A Acupuncture on the thoracic costochondritis area is very safe when performed by a skilled Korean medicine doctor. Because costochondritis is a superficial structure, the needles do not reach the lungs or heart if the length is strictly controlled. At Dongjedang, we enhance safety by utilizing ultrasound guidance to verify the precise depth and direction in real-time during the procedure.
Detailed Answer
Concerns regarding lung perforation during Heungbu acupuncture apply when deep needling is performed in the Heungchu or intercostal areas. The Heunggo-costal junction, the site for costochondritis treatment, lacks subcutaneous tissue, and its structures are located superficially. If the standard needle length (25–40 mm) is applied at an angle rather than nearly perpendicular to the skin, and the depth is limited to within 1–2 cm, the needles will not reach the pleura or lungs. During needle acupuncture, the position of the needle tip is monitored in real-time using ultrasound, ensuring an additional safety margin. Pre-procedure medical history taking and verification of medications (such as anticoagulants) are also part of safety management.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
Acupuncture treatment involving inserting needles into the thoracic points—the pathways through which Qi and blood flow—is a safe treatment method backed by thousands of years of accumulated clinical experience. Recently, the safety of traditional acupuncture has been further enhanced by the integration of ultrasound-guided technology. Since anxiety can exacerbate energy stagnation, providing patients with sufficient explanation to feel reassured during treatment itself has a positive effect on the treatment's efficacy.
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