An estimated 1.4 billion acupuncture needles are used each year worldwide, with China, Japan, and Korea the main suppliers. China provides up to 90% of the world's needles.

Acupuncture has developed since the 1970s. Acupuncture literally means to puncture with a needle. For this procedure needles are often used in combination with another procedure called moxibustion.

The study, published in Acupuncture in Medicine, found that although manufacturing processes have improved, surface irregularities and bent needle tips have not been entirely eliminated.