I've been an RN for almost 20 years.

[Ms. Toad]

199. That is really up to the individual making that decision.

But it is one thing to insist there is no scientific basis for alternative medicine - and quite another to acknowledge there is a basis, but to argue that the risks associated with traditional medicine should be more acceptable than those accepted with alternative medicine.

When universal precautions (including proper sterilization of the tools) are used, the risks are no greater than those associated with any other procedure which passes through the skin (drawing blood, injections, etc.).

Some of those risks also exist with ultrasound or TENS - the equipment may not be cleaned properly between use and may expose the user to virus or bacteria leftover from the previous user; although neither of those penetrate the skin, there is still risk of contamination from the skin itself (otherwise we wouldn't worry so much about hand washing to prevent disease transmission). Additional risks also exist with at least TENS (I'm not trotting off to find my owner's manual at the moment, but I recall warnings about a number of risks listed)

And there are different emotional responses to TENS and acupuncture. (I haven't had ultrasound recently enough for the same purpose - so I can't say). I like the feeling of TENS, which I use regularly, but the tingly electrical feeling creeps some people out. Same thing with the thought/feel of acupuncture needles - although I expect I'd get used to it, the one session I had from a friend was a little mentally unsettling.

If both are effective, the minimal risk of exposure to illness in a properly run facility may not be the only, or the deciding, factor.