A 65-year-old South Korean woman discovered her chronic knee pain was caused by hundreds of tiny gold acupuncture needles embedded in her joints.
She had sought relief from osteoarthritis through a controversial therapy that leaves gold needles in the body for ongoing stimulation. However, experts warn the practice can lead to inflammation, infection, and complications during imaging or MRIs. Dr. Ali Guermazi of Boston University explained that scar tissue often forms around such implants, interfering with scans. Though acupuncture is widely used, permanent needle implants lack strong scientific support and can be risky without proper medical oversight.
