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Acupuncture/accupuncture and fever

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Question
I am a home health/hospice nurse and have been seeing several people with flu like symptoms recently. One of them who has been dealing with a temp of 99-102 (i believe her normal temp is around 97.0) in the last few days, received acupuncture today. Her current temp is 102 (after treatment). Can receiving an acupuncture treatment cause one's temperature to rise? Thank you for your time.

Answer
Acupuncture would not raise a person's temperature in a fever situation.  The only relation I can think of is possibly raising surface temperature by means of the vasodilation induced by acupuncture.  I have never seen any numbers on how much that would effect body temperature though.

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Tamsen Staniford, L.Ac.

Expertise

Please ask me about acupuncture and oriental medicine, nutrition, dietary supplements, and herbs. I am always happy to answer questions about how any of these areas relate to your health and well-being, specific conditions, or simply if you would like some information. I specialize in acupuncture for palliative care, acute injuries, chronic illness, autoimmune disorders, bone health, and western supplements.

Experience

I am a licensed acupuncturist in the state of California and hold a Master's degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine. This degree includes training for acupuncture, herbs, nutrition, exercise and bodywork. I have work for a decade in the natural products industry both at the retail and manufacturing levels. I have worked using acupuncture in private clinics, community clinic settings and in inpatient care facilities; including hospice and supportive housing residences. I currently practice in San Francisco in a private clinic, making house calls for home bound patients, and working on grant funded community acupuncture projects.

Education/Credentials
Master's in Traditional Oriental Medicine, Certified Massage Therapist and Health Educator, Reiki Practitioner.

Past/Present Clients
Everyone from the stressed out worker, to the detoxing substance user, to the dying, to the new mother. Acupuncture can help them all.

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