Am J Med Sci. 2002 Nov; 324(5): 288-9.

Convulsive syncope associated with acupuncture.

Cole M, Shen J, Hommer D.

Laboratory of Clinical Studies, National Institute of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1610, USA. mcole@mail.nih.gov

Syncope is a rare but known reaction to acupuncture; however, convulsive syncope has never been previously documented as a reaction to acupuncture. This case report describes an episode of convulsive syncope, characterized by irregular clonic-tonic movements while the patient was unconscious. The episode occurred immediately after the insertion of acupuncture needles into the bilateral ST-36 acupuncture point. Here we discuss the presentation, possible causes, and prevention of convulsive syncope.