 - 1 a history of fracture or surgery to the neck; 2 malignant tumor; 3 cervical congenital abnormality; 4 a severe psychiatric illness; 5 needle phobia; 6 acupuncture treatment in the preceding 3 months, and 7 other acupuncture contraindications as indicated in Hospital Authority Guideline on Safety in Acupuncture for Chinese Medicine Practitioners Quality and Risk Sub-Committee, Hospital Authority, 2010. 