Are Acupuncture Needles Reused?
In Australia and including Melbourne Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Clinic, acupuncture needles are never reused due to strict health and safety regulations. The practice is governed by national standards to ensure infection control, patient safety, and hygiene. Acupuncturists must follow guidelines set by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia (CMBA), which mandate the use of single-use, sterile, disposable needles.
Why Are Acupuncture Needles Not Reused?
Preventing Infection and Cross-Contamination – Reusing needles could lead to the spread of blood borne diseases such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, or HIV. Single-use needles eliminate this risk.
Strict Government Regulations – The CMBA’s Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines require all acupuncturists to use pre-sterilised, disposable needles and to properly dispose of them after each use.
Needle Structure and Material – Acupuncture needles are extremely thin and designed for single-use only. Reusing them would make them dull, less effective, and potentially unsafe.
Proper Waste Disposal – Used needles are placed in sharps containers, which are then disposed of through regulated medical waste services to ensure environmental and public safety.
How Patients Can Ensure Needle Safety
Always visit a properly trained acupuncturist registered with AHPRA.
Observe whether the acupuncturist opens individually sealed, sterile needles before treatment.
Ensure that used needles are disposed of immediately in a sharps container.
Acupuncture needles are strictly single-use and never reused at Melbourne Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Clinic. This policy guarantees hygiene, patient safety, and compliance with infection control regulations, making acupuncture a safe and reliable therapy for all patients.
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