Acupuncture for Nausea: What the Guidance Says

Published

The NHS page on feeling sick does not list acupuncture. NCCIH reports that experts generally agree acupuncture is helpful for treatment-related nausea and vomiting in cancer patients, but says this rests mainly on research done before current guidelines were adopted, and that it is uncertain whether it helps when used with current standard treatments [2]. A 2025 Cochrane review looked at stimulating one wrist point (PC6) to prevent nausea and vomiting after surgery [3].

What nausea is

The NHS says feeling sick (nausea) is common and usually goes away on its own. It lists possible causes that include norovirus or food poisoning, an infection such as flu, acid reflux, migraine, labyrinthitis or vertigo, pregnancy (morning sickness), motion sickness, anxiety, alcohol, medicines and recent surgery, and says not to self-diagnose. It also says that if you are being sick (vomiting) you could become dehydrated [1].

What the guidance and research say about acupuncture

The NHS. The NHS says a GP can look for the cause of nausea and suggest treatments, and may prescribe anti-sickness medicine if needed. The page does not list acupuncture [1].

NCCIH. NCCIH, part of the US National Institutes of Health, reports [2]:

  • there is evidence that acupuncture may help relieve nausea and vomiting associated with cancer treatment
  • experts generally agree that acupuncture is helpful for treatment-related nausea and vomiting in cancer patients, but this conclusion is based primarily on research conducted before current guidelines for treating these symptoms were adopted
  • it is uncertain whether acupuncture is beneficial when used in combination with current standard treatments for nausea and vomiting

Cochrane review (2025). A Cochrane network meta-analysis of 77 trials (9,847 participants) examined stimulation of the PC6 wrist acupoint, with needles (invasive) or without (noninvasive, for example acupressure wristbands), for preventing nausea and vomiting after surgery [3]. The authors report:

  • invasive PC6 stimulation may reduce postoperative nausea compared with sham (risk ratio 0.49, 95% confidence interval 0.38 to 0.64, low confidence), as may noninvasive PC6 stimulation (0.67, 0.58 to 0.76, low confidence)
  • invasive PC6 stimulation combined with antiemetic drugs probably results in a larger reduction in postoperative nausea than sham (0.21, 0.10 to 0.45, moderate confidence from indirect evidence only)
  • none of the included studies reported serious or long-term complications; 39 studies reported minor side effects that go away (for example skin irritation, redness and swelling), but the evidence is very uncertain

This review is about people having surgery. It does not cover nausea from other causes.

Acupuncture in Malaysia

What acupuncture is. NCCIH, part of the US National Institutes of Health, describes acupuncture as a technique in which practitioners insert fine needles into the skin. The needles may be manipulated by hand or stimulated with small electrical currents (electroacupuncture). Acupuncture originated from traditional Chinese medicine [2].

Registration. Malaysia's Traditional and Complementary Medicine Act 2016 (Act 775) defines traditional and complementary medicine to include traditional Chinese medicine [4]. Under section 25 of the Act, in force since 1 March 2021, a person who is not a registered practitioner shall not practise traditional and complementary medicine services [4][5]. A registered practitioner must hold a valid practising certificate, which is valid for not more than twelve months and must be displayed at the place of practice (section 26) [4].

Referral. Section 30 of the Act requires a registered practitioner to refer a patient to a medical or dental practitioner if the patient has an acute medical emergency, or if the condition is beyond the practitioner's skill, competency or expertise [4]. Under section 30(3) the practitioner must explain this duty to the patient, or the patient's guardian or representative, so that they can make an informed decision about whether to refuse being referred. Section 30(4) says that if the patient, guardian or representative gives written notice consenting not to be referred, the practitioner is not obliged to refer [4].

NCCIH's guidance is not to use acupuncture to postpone seeing a health care provider about a health problem [2].

Safety. According to NCCIH, relatively few complications from acupuncture have been reported, but complications have resulted from nonsterile needles and improper delivery. When not delivered properly, acupuncture can cause serious adverse effects, including infections, punctured organs and injury to the central nervous system [2]. The NHS lists two situations in which acupuncture may not be safe: taking blood-thinning medicine or being at increased risk of bleeding, and having a skin condition or skin infection [6].

When the sources say to get medical help

Each source below sets its own level of urgency. Malaysia's emergency line is 999 [7]. The regulator's numbering plan also lists 112 as the code for mobile phones routed to emergency services [8].

Emergency (NHS, UK) [1]. The NHS lists calling 999 if you suddenly feel sick and have:

  • chest pain that feels tight or heavy
  • pain that spreads to your arms, back, neck or jaw
  • shortness of breath

The NHS says this could be a heart attack.

See a GP (NHS, UK) [1], for someone who:

  • is feeling sick and does not feel better in a few days
  • often feels sick (it keeps coming back)

The NHS says to call 111 for advice if you cannot see a GP.

In Malaysia (Ministry of Health portals). Klinik Kesihatan Kuala Lumpur, a government health clinic, lists outpatient (Pesakit Luar) services. It lists its service hours as 8.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday, with extended hours on weekday evenings and on weekends and public holidays, and says it is closed on some festival days [9]. Hospital Kuala Lumpur's emergency department says it provides 24-hour emergency medical services to people in Kuala Lumpur [10].

Find a clinic

The NHS's suggested next step for nausea that does not go away within a few days, or keeps coming back, is to see a GP [1]. The clinic directory lists acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine clinics across Malaysia by state and town.

Sources

  1. NHS. Feeling sick (nausea). Page last reviewed 17 November 2023 (review due 17 November 2026).
  2. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), US National Institutes of Health. Acupuncture: Effectiveness and Safety. Last updated October 2022.
  3. Lee A, Zhang JZ, Xie J, Cheng V, Wong MKH, Yau DKW. Stimulation of the wrist acupuncture point PC6 for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting: a network meta-analysis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2025, issue 9, CD003281.pub5. Abstract on PubMed.
  4. Laws of Malaysia. Traditional and Complementary Medicine Act 2016 (Act 775), English text published by the Ministry of Health Malaysia. Sections 3, 25, 26 and 30.
  5. Federal Government Gazette P.U. (B) 118, 23 February 2021. Appointment of date of coming into operation, Traditional and Complementary Medicine Act 2016.
  6. NHS. Herbal medicines and complementary therapies. Page last reviewed 1 May 2026.
  7. Malaysia.gov.my (MyGovernment portal). Malaysia Emergency Response Services (MERS) 999. Page updated 25 September 2025.
  8. Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission. Numbering and Electronic Addressing Plan, issued 26 January 2006. Schedule D.
  9. Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya State Health Department, Ministry of Health Malaysia. Klinik Kesihatan Kuala Lumpur.
  10. Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Ministry of Health Malaysia. Kecemasan & Trauma.

Chest pain, trouble breathing, sudden weakness or another emergency: call 999 (112 from a mobile) or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.